3 years after deadly quakes, Türkiye says recovery sets global benchmark
More than 455,000 housing units have been delivered or are nearing completion for earthquake survivors, setting 'new global benchmark with speed'
ANKARA, Türkiye (MNTV) — Türkiye is marking the third anniversary of the earthquakes that hit the country in February 2023 with a focus on reconstruction, remembrance, and long-term recovery across the country’s southern regions.
The twin earthquakes, centered in Kahramanmaraş, struck 11 provinces and directly affected around 14 million people. More than 53,000 people were killed and over 107,000 injured in what officials called the “Disaster of the Century.”
At a commemoration program in Ankara on Monday, Burhanettin Duran, director general of the Communications Directorate, said the country’s response had become a model of national solidarity and state coordination.
“Major disasters do not produce destruction alone; they also lay bare the character of a nation and the strength of its spirit of solidarity,” Duran said.
“The period following February 6 stands as a story of revival for Türkiye.”
Massive rebuilding effort
Officials say the reconstruction effort has moved at an unprecedented scale.
According to figures shared during the anniversary events and by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, more than 455,000 housing units have been delivered or are nearing completion for earthquake survivors.
The housing program spans all 11 affected provinces, including Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Gaziantep, Adıyaman, Malatya, Adana, Diyarbakır, Kilis, Osmaniye, Şanlıurfa, and Elazığ.
Authorities say the rebuilding drive is not limited to housing. It also includes:
- New schools, hospitals, and social facilities
- Rebuilt roads, bridges, and public infrastructure
- Industrial and commercial zones to restore jobs
- Social support and economic recovery programs
Duran said the recovery effort went beyond replacing damaged structures.
“This process represents the implementation of the principle that no citizen should ever be left without support,” he said, describing it as a people-centered recovery strategy.
He added that Türkiye had achieved what many considered impossible, setting “a new global benchmark with its determination, speed, and people-centered approach.”
Nationwide and global solidarity
Duran said the disaster revealed the country’s collective spirit, as state institutions, civil society groups, and ordinary citizens mobilized immediately after the quakes.
“From the very first moment, our state mobilized all its capacities,” he said.
“Our citizens rushed to the field of assistance not only with what they possessed, but also with their hearts, their prayers, and their hope.”
He said the country overcame the disaster not only through technical capacity but also through “collective conscience and solidarity.”
Communication and crisis response
Duran also highlighted the communication challenges during the early days of the disaster, including the spread of false or misleading information.
He said authorities intervened in nearly 200 disinformation cases during the crisis. At the same time, a dedicated earthquake emergency channel was launched through the government’s CİMER platform.
According to official figures cited in the speech:
- More than 1.7 million requests were submitted through the CİMER “Earthquake Emergency” application
- Over 220,000 calls were handled by call centers in the first three months after the disaster
- Press centers were set up in the region to support domestic and international journalists
Authorities also organized international media visits to the affected areas. Since 2024, 366 journalists from 26 countries have toured reconstruction sites to observe the progress on the ground.
New publication and disaster journalism initiative
On the anniversary, officials launched a new book titled The 3rd Anniversary of the Disaster of the Century: Reconstruction and Recovery Efforts. The publication includes a foreword by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and documents responses across sectors such as health, education, housing, the economy, and social services.
Duran also highlighted a new “Disaster Journalism” project, developed with Selçuk University. The initiative includes an internationally recognized course curriculum for communication faculties and training guides for media professionals in five languages.
He said the program aims to promote responsible reporting during emergencies and strengthen ethical standards in crisis communication.
Program and national reflection
The anniversary event, titled “A Landmark Achievement of the Century: The Recovery Vision of a Strong Türkiye,” included opening remarks by Duran and Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum, followed by panels on public coordination, disaster journalism, and responsible broadcasting.
As memorial ceremonies are held across the country, officials say the anniversary is both a moment of remembrance for the tens of thousands who lost their lives and a reminder of the ongoing effort to rebuild communities and restore livelihoods across southern Türkiye.
“Today we gather to keep our collective memory alive,” Duran said, “and to move forward without forgetting what we have lived through, nurturing hope without setting aside our grief.”
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
