Turkey has been going through a tough ordeal since 6 February 2023 due to two major earthquakes (measuring 7.8 and 7.6 on the magnitude scale) that hit 11 cities in southern Turkey. Just to give you a sense of the scale according to official numbers nearly 40,000 people died (numbers are likely to increase to several more thousands), and 13.5 million people live in the region who had sustained considerable damage. Some estimates suggest over a million people have been rendered homeless and several more have not been able to re-enter their dwellings pending a damage analysis. 

Each person in Turkey has some loved ones in the area directly impacted by the earthquakes; we have lost family members, friends, acquaintances, students, homes, and neighborhoods. Some of those historical cities are completely destroyed. There are no words to describe our shock, pain, and devastation. We will always cherish the memories of lost lives and hold on to the idea of rebuilding destroyed cities.

If you’d like to donate to those in need in the disaster area, you may do so via this link.

Gizem Melek

Associate Professor (Ph.D.) 

Yasar University

Chair of the ECREA Women’s Network