Two Years After Devastating Earthquakes, Over 649,000 Still Reside in Temporary Container Cities

As of February 2025, a staggering 649,632 people are still living in container cities constructed for temporary accommodation following the Feb. 6, 2023 earthquakes, according to a report by the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) on the ongoing recovery efforts in southeastern Türkiye.

Hatay Hosts the Largest Number of Displaced Residents

The report, highlighted in daily BirGün, sheds light on the ongoing struggles of earthquake survivors, particularly in Hatay, the province with the highest number of displaced residents. Currently, 218,379 people remain in container settlements, while official records indicate that 24,147 lives were lost and 80,323 buildings were either destroyed or severely damaged due to the 7.7 and 7.6 magnitude quakes. Other affected provinces with significant displaced populations include:

• Adıyaman: 118,204 people
• Malatya: 112,726 people
• Kahramanmaraş (Maraş): 107,896 people

Government's Housing Pledge Faces Delays

Speaking at a commemoration event marking the second anniversary of the disaster, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reaffirmed the government’s commitment to rebuilding efforts, stating: "By the end of the year, we will construct a total of 453,000 housing units to ensure that no citizen remains without a home or workplace." However, progress on housing reconstruction has been slower than anticipated, with estimates suggesting that only 50 percent of the promised developments have been completed.

Earthquake Toll: Over 53,000 Lives Lost

According to official statistics, the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes resulted in the deaths of 53,537 people, while 107,213 individuals sustained injuries. Two years on, the lingering displacement crisis underscores the magnitude of the disaster’s impact and the challenges Türkiye faces in fully restoring normalcy for its earthquake survivors.