As per the Revised Operational Strategy published on 07 June 2023, this Emergency Appeal seeks a total of CHF 750 million Federation-Wide Funding Requirement, out of which CHF 400 million is funded via the IFRC Secretariat, whereas CHF 350 million is to be funded through Turkish Red Crescent’s (TRC) domestic fundraising and bilateral contributions. This revised Appeal is currently 38 per cent funded with 151.8 million CHF in hard pledges. Further funding is needed to enable TRC, with the support of the IFRC, to continue addressing immediate, early recovery and recovery needs for people affected by the earthquake. We are grateful for the support of all the generous partners who have enabled us to continue our important work of helping the people in need. Thank you for being a crucial part of our mission.
A. SITUATION ANALYSIS
Description of the crisis
The earthquakes that hit southeastern Türkiye on February 6, 2023, caused a death toll of over 53,000 people and injured more than 107,000, affecting approximately 15.7 million people directly. This includes 14 million Turkish citizens and 1.7 million refugees3 across the 11 hardest-hit provinces. According to the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), more than 300,000 buildings were impacted, with 262,000 severely damaged or destroyed, leaving millions homeless amid winter conditions. Essential service facilities, including schools, hospitals, maternity and educational facilities, and municipal infrastructure, suffered major disruptions, leaving women and children particularly vulnerable. Over 3 million people had to be relocated due to the destruction and hazards caused by the earthquakes.
The Inter-Agency Protection Needs Assessment Round 7 revealed that both refugees and Turkish citizens have been facing harsh conditions since the earthquakes. The overall socio-economic situation has deteriorated for all communities, with 83 percent of respondents reporting worsened financial circumstances. Before the earthquakes, the region already had lower labour force participation and higher unemployment rates compared to the rest of Türkiye. Out of 3.8 million employed individuals, 2.3 million were formally employed, while 1.5 million (39 percent of the labour force) were employed informally. Syrians under temporary protection, who are more likely to be informally employed, are particularly vulnerable economically.
The climate and typical weather patterns in the earthquake-affected region have intensified the challenges for communities, and this trend is expected to persist. Winters are particularly harsh, with strong winds, low temperatures, rain, and snow, while heavy rains during spring and fall often lead to flooding. Summers are also extreme, with temperatures rising to around 45°C and humidity reaching 70 per cent. As a result, the needs of those affected remain high, requiring ongoing and focused support. Since the earthquakes, cities hit hardest, like Hatay7 and Osmaniye, have also faced flooding, which affects quality of life in temporary settlements and disrupts infrastructure. Government authorities, in collaboration with other organizations, continue efforts to relocate impacted communities from temporary container settlements to permanent housing.
While the initial impact of the earthquakes was heavily focused on basic needs (particularly shelter and food), the lasting effects of the earthquakes in some of the main areas where TRC provides services are as follows:
Livelihoods: The Government of Türkiye reports that the 11 provinces contributed 9.8 per cent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), amounting to about USD 79 million in national income in 2021. Key contributors to economic growth included Gaziantep, Adana, and Hatay. The regional GDP was distributed as follows: agriculture accounted for 8.6 per cent, industry 30.5 per cent, construction 5.2 per cent, services 45.2 per cent, and tax subsidies 10.6 per cent.
In 2021, these provinces employed 3.8 million individuals, or 13.3 per cent of the nation’s workforce, with 2.3 million in formal employment and 1.5 million in informal jobs, making up about 39 per cent of regional employment.
Women’s participation and employment rates were notably lower than men’s, and female workers faced higher challenges related to job security and economic independence. The earthquakes significantly reduced GDP per capita in the affected areas by 9 per cent, disrupting the livelihoods of approximately 658,000 workers and rendering more than 220,000 workplaces unusable. In this regard, TRC continues to support livelihoods needs of earthquake-affected populations in the earthquake area.
Mental Health and Psycho-social Support (MHPSS): Natural disasters can deeply affect individuals’ mental wellbeing, often due to the loss of loved ones, homes, belongings, and the overall disruption to their lives. In addition, those impacted may experience socio-economic challenges such as an increased risk of poverty or discrimination, as well as the weakening of social support systems through family separation, loss of community ties, or disrupted friendships. These circumstances can contribute to feelings of grief, stress, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Additionally, people may face emotional and behavioural changes like trouble sleeping, anger, feelings of hopelessness, irritability, and guilt. These psychological effects tend to be more significant among certain vulnerable groups, including children, women, older adults, refugees, and individuals with pre-existing mental health needs. For these groups, the loss of familiar routines, resources, and social support can add to their distress, and they may also encounter additional obstacles— such as language barriers, physical limitations, or cultural differences—that affect their access to relief and recovery efforts. Those with prior mental health conditions may find it harder to manage their symptoms and may experience challenges due to reduced access to regular care and support.
After a disaster, existing vulnerabilities can make the immediate effects even more challenging. To support recovery effectively, it’s important to provide specific, targeted, and culturally sensitive psychosocial support services that address the unique needs of those affected.
