The chain of earthquakes that have struck Turkey in recent months, coming most recently from Sivrice in Elazig, have caused immense destruction. The quakes, with their direct effects and their aftershocks, have reduced buildings and homes to rubble in already insecure conditions, leading to the displacement of thousands of people.
This has drastically increased the number of homeless people in Turkey, and the government has been forced to step in and declare a state of emergency in the respective areas. With the aftershocks still continuing, the full magnitude of the crisis and the damage caused by these quakes is still unfolding, emphasizing the grave extent of the devastation and making a solution to the homelessness crisis urgently necessary.
I. How Severe is the Homelessness Situation in Turkey?
A. Earthquake-induced Displacements Leave People Homeless
The displacement caused by the earthquakes has vastly increased the number of homeless people in Turkey, with hundreds of thousands losing their homes and being forced to live in tents and temporary shelters, or camping in the open. According to official reports, in the Elazig earthquake alone, 1219 people were rendered homeless, and this number only accounts for those whose homes were completely destroyed while many others experienced partial damage and had to be evacuated as well.
B. Lack of Safe, Affordable Housing Speeds Up Homelessness
Even prior to the earthquake, the housing and homelessness crises in Turkey have been growing, as safe and affordable housing remains beyond reach for many. Poverty, along with the lack of support from the government makes it difficult to solve the issue, and migrant families who have relocated to cities are particularly vulnerable.
C. Homelessness on the Rise in Rural Areas
Rural areas are particularly affected by the homelessness crisis in Turkey. In the eastern provinces, with their already shaky infrastructures, many villages were flattened during the earthquakes, leaving hundreds of people without homes. The majority of them lack the resources to rent or buy a house or apartment, making the struggle for a secure home even worse.
II. Impact of Earthquake-induced Homelessness on People
A. Psychological Impact on Afghan Refugees
The displacement of a huge number of Afghan refugees from Istanbul is another critical consequence of the earthquakes. The refugees had been seeking safety in the city but in the wake of the quakes had to leave their dwellings and search for other accommodations. The effects of this displacement on the mental and physical health of these people are dire.
B. Stress Affects Families with Young Children
Children who have been evacuated with their families due to the earthquakes are facing increased stress and anxiety. Seismic events present a traumatic experience, especially to children who have difficulty gauging its intensity and unpredictable repercussions. The trauma and distress of living in the tents and emergency accommodation add to the burden of displacement on these children.
C. Homelessness Threatens Right to Education of Children
The emergency shelters are often not adequately equipped, meaning access to education and virtual learning is often heavily restricted. Inadequate fulfillment of the right to education can cause a host of other problems, from dropping out from school to increased poverty.
III. Measures Taken to Address Homelessness Crisis According to Coordination Center for Disaster and Emergency Management
A. Financial Aid to Households Experiencing Temporary Displacement
The Coordination Center for Disaster and Emergency Management has implemented various measures to meet the immediate needs of families and households affected by the earthquakes. These include the provision of financial aid to the displaced in order to cover their basic needs such as housing, food, and medical care. The economic aid also covers the school supply of young children and their transportation.
B. Home Rehabilitation Initiative
Along with the financial aid, the urgency to find time-bound and quality shelter solutions has prompted the implementation of the Home Rehabilitation Initiative. This initiative provides households with financial and technical aid to repair their damaged homes, and enables them to return to their original dwellings before displacement if the area is deemed safe by local authorities.
C. Provision of Tents and Emergency Shelters
The Coordination Center for Disaster and Emergency Management also nominated sites for temporary housing and tents, provided the necessary food and water supplies, as well as medical aid. Portable toilets and showers are also provided in the camps, and other basic amenities like electricity and television are set up for the comfort and convenience of the evacuated people.
IV. Challenges in Solving Homelessness Crisis
A. Regional Inequality of Economic Resources
Turkey’s 24 provinces also differ greatly in terms of economic resources, and the issues related to homelessness is more critical in certain areas. This presents a problem in terms of the equitable distribution of aid and assistance, with families in the poorer regions not receiving their due share of relief resources.
B. Limited Capacity of Government
With the government still preoccupied with the task of providing relief and assistance, it can be difficult to tackle other issues like the need for permanent housing solutions. This is especially true in the rural areas where the lack of infrastructure and resources make it hard to secure and protect homeless families.
C. Insufficient Security of Shelters
The emergency shelters and tents provided by the government are not always safe. In cases where the area is still suffering from aftershocks, the displacement of thousands of people means that the tents and shelters might be overcrowded and needs for security and basic amenities might not be met.
V. Solutions to Homelessness Crisis
A. Increasing Funding Allocation for Shelter initiatives
The government should step in and increase the funding allocated for relief initiatives so that shelters can be established in such a way that everyone has access to its services. Reallocating the funds can help ensure that relief reaches those most in need in rural areas.
B. Adopting Contingency Plans
The government should look into developing and implementing contingency plans in the event of disasters and earthquakes like these. This could include providing detailed information on what to do in case of disaster, establishing accessible shelters, and providing financial aid to homeless families.
C. Long-term Solutions
Along with the immediate relief efforts, the long-term solutions should be focused on providing access to permanent and affordable housing for the affected families. This could involve the building of housing units or apartment buildings, or loans and subsidies for those in need.
The homelessness crisis caused by the earthquakes in Turkey has created immense suffering and devastation for thousands of families. The sudden displacement as a result of the earthquake and the limited availability of safe and affordable housing have left these families and households without shelter in a quite precarious state, making it imperative for the government to step in and alleviate the situation. The homeless families require immediate aid and assistance through economic measures, as well as long-term solutions like access to permanent housing. The cooperation of all stakeholders in the process is essential in order to provide effective, time-bound, and equitable solutions to the homeless crisis.
