Survey on the 2023 Türkiye-Syria Earthquakes

On February 6, 2023, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake and a 7.5 aftershock struck south-eastern Türkiye and northern Syria. More than a week later, the death toll is over 40,000, and a hundred thousand are injured in both countries. Furthermore, the United Nations (UN) expects the number of dead to double as rescue efforts continue. The World Health Organization (WHO) says up to 26 million people may have been affected, with 15 million in Türkiye and 11 million in Syria. A Turkish Business Group also estimated it to have caused $84 billion worth of property damage.

The Türkiye–Syria earthquake, also called the Kahramanmaras earthquake, is the strongest in Türkiye since the 1939 Erzincan earthquake. With more than 35,500 deaths in Türkiye, it is now the deadliest in the country since the country’s founding 100 years ago. Meanwhile, Syria’s death toll is around 5,500, their highest record since the 1822 Aleppo earthquake.

Where Does the Blame Lie?

In the wake of the disaster, many families have lost loved ones, resentment has grown, and many seek to assign blame. The catastrophe has raised big questions about whether such a large-scale tragedy could have been avoided and whether Türkiye’s President Erdogan’s government could have done more to save lives.

What made the earthquake so destructive was not only the power of the tremor, the number of aftershocks, or the time the incident happened. Factors like the implementation of search and rescue operations, the freezing temperature, and the sturdiness of the structures also contributed.

For years, Türks have been warned of the potential of a big earthquake. Prof Naci Gorurm, a geological engineer, has seen the possible risks that will come with it. He warned the government to take action to prepare cities and diminish the damage it would pose.

Officials believe several contractors are responsible for several destroyed buildings. The clampdown on contractors comes amid increased scrutiny over Türkiye’s construction standards and building regulations.

Several critics also question the 2018 Türkish government amnesty, where a fine could sweep building code violations. The authorities designed the amnesties to legalize older substandard buildings erected without proper permits and left some six million buildings unchanged.

A Call for Help

It is expected that survivors from the catastrophe have suffered enormous trauma. As medical professionals treat survivors for physical injuries, they also observe that survivors suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and panic attacks. Sadly, hopes of finding any more survivors are fading.

Türkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan acknowledged his shortcomings in the response, but also suggested that the disaster was a matter of fate or destiny. His intolerance of criticisms about his disaster management also caused the government to block Twitter temporarily.

On the other hand, the ongoing civil war of nearly 12 years has complicated the relief operation in Syria. It has generated logistical and political challenges for global leaders, hindering aid from reaching its people. Meanwhile, Syrian government officials and other state-run media blamed the Western sanctions against the country for the lack of humanitarian aid and urgent rescue.

Various countries and organizations have pledged support for victims of the earthquake. Unfortunately, some scammers are using the disaster to try to trick people into donating to fake causes.

Conclusion

The disaster in Türkiye and Syria is a heartbreaking reminder of the power of natural disasters and the devastating effects they can have on people and communities. According to UN authorities, the rescue phase is coming to a close, with the focus turning to humanitarian aid. For those wishing to help, there are a number of ways to give.

More than a week after the powerful earthquake, Real Research launched a survey to gather different perspectives surrounding the disaster. Hurry and answer the survey on the 2023 Türkiye-Syria earthquakes on the Real Research app from February 16, 2023. After that, you will receive 60 TNCs as a reward.