Turkey earthquake 2023
Turkey earthquake 2023
On February 6, a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 struck southern Turkey near its northern border with Syria. This seismic event was followed by another earthquake approximately nine hours later, measuring a magnitude of 7.5. The impact of these earthquakes was particularly devastating due to their strength and proximity.
The initial earthquake, which had a magnitude comparable to a historic event in 1939, marked one of the most severe earthquakes Turkey had experienced in over two decades. Its epicenter was located near Gaziantep, a region in south-central Turkey that hosts both a significant number of Syrian refugees and humanitarian aid organizations.
The Turkish government, in coordination with the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) and the Turkish Red Crescent, took the lead in responding to the crisis. However, the response efforts also involved numerous international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) and local NGOs. The scale of the disaster prompted Turkish authorities to declare a level-4 emergency, soliciting international assistance. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan further declared a three-month state of emergency in ten provinces.
Governments worldwide responded promptly to Turkey’s requests for international aid, deploying search and rescue teams and offering various forms of support. While countries extended their assistance and funded flash appeals, the challenge remained in effectively delivering aid to the affected Syrian population. This task proved complex, as ensuring aid reaches the affected Syrians required careful planning and coordination.
Turkey is recognized as Türkiye in English by the United Nations (UN).