February 6, 2023- February 6, 2024
The earthquake on February 6, 2023, marked the deadliest seismic event in Turkey since the 2010 Haiti earthquake. With magnitudes of 7.7 and 7.6 respectively, these earthquakes had a profound impact on the region, affecting millions of lives.
Felt strongly in provinces such as Gaziantep, Hatay, Osmaniye, Adıyaman, Şanlıurfa, Diyarbakır, Malatya, and Adana, the earthquakes resulted in 4,323 aftershocks as of February 16, according to data released by the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD).
The human toll was immense, with at least 50,783 casualties and 129,000 injuries reported in the provinces of Kahramanmaraş, Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Diyarbakır, Adana, Adıyaman, Osmaniye, Hatay, Kilis, Malatya, and Elazığ.
A total of 216,347 disaster victims were evacuated from the region to other provinces, impacting 13.5 million people in Turkey.
In response to the seismic events, the Social Workers Association of Turkey (SHUDER) has been actively engaged in providing critical psychosocial support, recognizing the interconnected needs and emotional well-being of the affected communities.
Following the earthquakes, SHUDER headquarters, in collaboration with its subsidiaries, launched comprehensive crisis management and psychosocial support initiatives in the affected regions and among earthquake-displaced populations.
The organization outlines its year-long efforts as follows:
- Re-established the Psychosocial Solidarity Network, focusing especially on those affected by the earthquakes. Online and face-to-face meetings were held to identify psychosocial needs, provide information, and connect individuals with needed resources.
- Visited social health service units in hospitals where earthquake victims were transferred, identified volunteer needs, and facilitated access to correct information and resources.
- Employee support activities were carried out in SHUDER branches in Ankara, Istanbul, and Izmir, addressing the well-being of professionals involved in crisis response.
- Provided disaster management training and psychosocial support to local governments, non-governmental organizations, and labor organizations. The specialized training for Ankara Metropolitan Municipality administrators and professional staff was carried out in collaboration with the Turkish Association of Psychologists.
- SHUDER branches in Istanbul, Izmir, and Konya organized support programs for employees, offering a wide range of activities such as group sessions, creative drama, psychodrama, and informative support meetings.
- The SHUDER Antalya branch engaged in art-based healing activities, including theater, music, theater, painting, and photography lessons for different age groups, highlighting the healing power of art in the recovery process.
SHUDER recognizes and appreciates the collective efforts of the local and international community, partner organizations, volunteers, and individuals who have been instrumental in assisting the communities affected by the earthquake.
As SHUDER enters its second year of support and recovery efforts, the organization continued to need the support of the international community in building resilience and supporting long-term recovery.
Your generous contributions will enable SHUDER to continue and expand its psychosocial support initiatives, crisis management activities, and comprehensive recovery programs for the affected communities. By pooling resources, we can collectively make a meaningful impact on the lives of those striving to recover from the aftermath of these earthquakes.
Your contribution, no matter the size, will play a vital role in bringing hope and healing those affected.
Association of Social Workers (SHUDER)
BANK ACCOUNT FOR DONATIONS:
SHUDER (EURO)
Banka Şubesi: 412/Kızılay/AnkaraŞube
IBAN: TR71 0001 2009 4120 0058 0002 47
Account number: 58000247
Swift: TRHBTR2A
SHUDER Dolar Hesabı (ABD Doları)
Banka IBAN: TR95 0001 2009 4120 0053 0008 23
Account number: 53000823
Swift: TRHBTR2A
Ana RADULESCU
President IFSW Europe