Limited Access to Medical Care Made the Türkiye-Syria Earthquake Destructive, 19% Say

On February 6, 2023, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake and a 7.5 aftershock struck south-eastern Türkiye and northern Syria, resulting in over 40,000 deaths, a hundred thousand injuries, and $84 billion worth of property damage.

The Türkiye-Syria earthquake has raised questions about the government’s response and the country’s construction standards and building regulations. Moreover, the ongoing civil war in Syria has complicated the relief operation. Although various countries and organizations have pledged support for victims, there are scammers using the disaster to trick people into donating to fake causes.

Moreover, this disaster has highlighted the vulnerability of society in the face of natural calamities and the need for better disaster preparedness measures. In response to this disaster, Real Research conducted a survey to gain insights into people’s awareness, opinions, and expectations regarding the earthquake and its aftermath. This report presents the key findings from the survey on the 2023 Türkiye-Syria earthquakes.

Here are the key findings of the survey report:

• 94.33% of respondents were aware of the Kahramanmaras earthquake in Türkiye-Syria
• 17.02% believed that the government should enforce stricter building codes and standards
• 49.45% believed that the Turkish government blocked Twitter to control the spread of disinformation

Awareness of the Türkiye-Syria Earthquake

The survey found that a vast majority (94.33%) of respondents were aware of the Kahramanmaras earthquake in Türkiye-Syria, while only 5.67% were unaware. This shows that the earthquake was widely reported and received significant media attention.

• Survey on Various Disasters Around The World

Preventing Casualties

When asked about the government’s role in preventing the number of casualties from the Türkiye-Syria earthquake, the survey found that 17.02% believed that the government should enforce stricter building codes and standards. Meanwhile, 14.71% suggested an increase in investment in early warning systems.

Furthermore, 12.9% believed that emergency response capabilities should be improved, while 12.18% proposed providing greater financial support to communities in high-risk areas. These findings suggest that the public expects the government to take measures to prevent or reduce natural disasters’ devastating effects.

Reasons for the Destructiveness of the Earthquake

Regarding why the Türkiye-Syria earthquake was so destructive, the survey found that 19.4% believed limited access to medical care and emergency services played a significant role.

12.2% attributed the destructiveness to the earthquake’s powerful magnitude and location, while 10.76% pointed to contractors’ failure to follow building construction safety codes. Additionally, 10.34% believed that the presence of a severe (7.5 magnitude) aftershock contributed to the destructiveness of the earthquake.

Satisfaction With the Government’s Response

Regarding the Turkish government’s response to the crisis, the survey found that the majority (34.13%) of respondents were neutral about the government’s response. While 20.61% were satisfied, a notable proportion (22.03%) of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s response, with 7.04% being highly unsatisfied. These findings suggest that the government’s response to the Türkiye-Syria earthquake was not universally praised.

Blocking of Twitter

The survey found that nearly half (49.45%) of the respondents believed that the Turkish government blocked Twitter to control the spread of disinformation. In comparison, 30.67% believed it was done to eliminate critics of the disaster response.

Only 13.89% believed it was done to remove negative political campaigns capitalizing on the disaster. These findings suggest that respondents viewed the blocking of Twitter as a measure taken to control the narrative around the disaster.

Recovery Time for Türkiye and Syria

Regarding the time required for Türkiye to recover from the aftermath of the Türkiye-Syria earthquake, the survey found that most (20.81%) respondents believed it would take less than three months. 20.54% believed it would be between three and six months, while 19.97% believed it would be between six and 12 months.

In comparison, most respondents (38.89%) believed Syria would recover from the earthquake in less than six months. 19.27% said it would be within six to twelve months, while 16.88% believed it would take one to five years. These findings suggest that respondents were optimistic about the recovery time for both Türkiye and Syria.

Difficulties in Providing Rescue Efforts in Syria

Finally, the survey found that a significant proportion (25.67%) of respondents believed that relief efforts needed to be coordinated with Syria’s internal front lines first caused difficulties in providing rescue.

Additionally, 15.28% believed it was due to the western sanctions imposed on the Syrian government. Others (15.03%) believed it was because of the limited border crossings allowed to deliver aid.