Multi-Sectoral Rapid Assessment and Post-Evaluation in Kahramanmaras Earthquake, Türkiye: Addressing the Needs of Affected People

Two devastating earthquakes struck on February ۶, ۲۰۲۳, the first with a magnitude of ۷.۷ at ۰۴:۱۷ in the Pazarcık district of Kahramanmaraş, and the second one with a magnitude of ۷.۶ at ۱۳:۲۴ in the Ekinözü and Elbistan districts of Kahramanmaraş in eastern and southeastern Anatolia, as well as northern Syria. These two earthquakes caused vast destruction in ۱۱ provinces and affected ۱۵.۲ million people, including ۵.۴ million children, living in stricken provinces (Kahramannaras and Hatay Report, Post Earthquake Assessment, ۲۰۲۳). The two earthquakes had a devastating impact on settlements, housing, and businesses in most of the impacted locations, with extremely high levels of damage in highly populated areas. The Nirengi, a Turkish Non-governmental Organization team's reflections on the severe impact of the two earthquakes and living conditions in several lifeline sectors, derived through field observations, data from interviewees, and partly desk research, which are presented briefly in this paper. The provided information has been gathered a few days after the earthquake and the recommendations are noted based on the findings of initial assessment following the disaster. Also results of the observations one year after the earthquake are presented to show the trend and progress in aiding the affected people.

Keywords:

Disaster affected people , Rapid need assessment , Post-evaluation , Kahramanmaraş earthquakes , Humanitarian aid