A DEVASTATING earthquake ripped through a broad area of Türkiye and Northwest Syria, leaving behind a trail of immense destruction. The earthquake shattered buildings and homes, tore families apart, and forever altered the lives of countless individuals. The magnitude of the disaster was staggering, with reports of at least 46,400 dead—prompting the World Health Organization (WHO)'s emergency director, Mike Ryan, to describe the scenes as a “living hell[1].” The tragedy has left the people of Türkiye and Syria grappling with the overwhelming loss and trauma.

The damages

   On February 6, a devastating earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter Scale struck a wide area of Türkiye and Northwest Syria, followed by a series of aftershocks that compounded the damage[2]. The disaster left millions of people across the region in a state of devastation. The earthquake which struck at 4:17 a.m. affected over 23 million people, and the United Nations (U.N.) reported a death toll of over 44,708[3]. The impact of the earthquake has left tens of thousands of people homeless with Türkiye's environment minister, Murat Kurum, revealing that 24,291 buildings were collapsed or damaged as a result of the quake[4]. 

Exacerbating the problem

   Despite the earthquake being a natural phenomenon, the severity of the damage caused by the quake was exacerbated by several factors, including population density, inadequate building standards, and limited resources. The areas in Türkiye and Syria that were hit by the earthquake were densely populated regions, with Türkiye's high population density intensified by the prevalence of high-rise buildings. As a result, providing assistance to those swayed by the earthquake was a significant challenge for aid organizations and rescue workers, with many people trapped inside collapsed buildings. The high population density also made it challenging to provide basic necessities and shelter, with resources stretched thin and many people in need of assistance[5]. Moreover, hospitals and healthcare facilities were overwhelmed by the number of patients, making it difficult to provide medical care to those in need.

   With so many buildings collapsed, many in Türkiye questioned the nature of pre-existing building regulations. Although the quakes were powerful, experts claim that properly constructed buildings should have been able to stay standing—citing Türkiye's poor construction regulation and enforcement as the cause of this extreme destruction. For example, David Alexander (Prof., Dept. of Emergency Planning and Management, University College London), stated, "The maximum intensity for this earthquake was violent but not necessarily enough to bring well-constructed buildings down[6].” Following previous disasters, such as the 1999 earthquake around the city of Izmit, Türkiye has tightened construction regulations, including setting new standards in 2018, which required buildings located in earthquake-prone areas to use high-quality concrete reinforced with steel bars[7]. However, these laws have been poorly enforced, and there has been limited retrofitting of existing buildings. In addition, the Turkish government has provided periodic "construction amnesties" since the 1960s, allowing the construction of structures without the required safety certificates for a fee[1]. Critics have warned that this practice is dangerous, with up to 75,000 buildings across the impacted earthquake zone in southern Türkiye given construction amnesties[1]. Geologist Celal Sengor has described this practice as a "crime[1]" in a country riven by fault lines[8].

   Syria has been embroiled in a civil war for over a decade since 2011, which has caused widespread displacement, leaving the country’s infrastructure in ruins. As a result, Syria was already facing significant challenges in providing basic services such as healthcare, education, and food security to its citizens before the earthquake struck. In particular, the northwestern region of Syria that was heavily struck by the earthquake was a densely populated area with 4 million refugees relying on humanitarian assistance[9]. Thus, the disaster only made the situation worse, putting even more strain on already overburdened systems and resources. For example, in the aftermath of the earthquake, many hospitals and healthcare facilities in the affected areas were damaged or destroyed, making it more difficult for medical personnel to provide care to the casualties[9]. 

National response

   In the wake of the catastrophic earthquake that impacted both Türkiye and Syria, the governments of these nations have been working tirelessly to provide aid and support to those who experienced the disaster. In Türkiye, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has declared a state of emergency for three months from February in the ten worst-affected provinces[5], and the government has launched a massive emergency response effort. The Turkish military has been deployed to assist with search and rescue operations, with soldiers and equipment sent to the most damaged areas[6]. In addition, emergency shelters have been established to provide temporary housing for tens of thousands of people who have lost their homes, while volunteers have been distributing essential supplies to devastated communities[6].

   Meanwhile, in Syria, the government has rapidly mobilized its emergency response teams in the aftermath of the earthquake. Medical workers and volunteers have been working to provide care and support to the victims of the disaster. Working in collaboration with aid organizations, the Syrian government has been providing assistance and temporary housing to those who suffered from the earthquake[5]. The Syrian Red Crescent Society (SRCS), a humanitarian non-profit organization, has played a pivotal role in the relief effort, offering food, water, and medical care[7]. Volunteers from SRCS have been distributing emergency supplies, and the organization has been working to provide psychosocial support to people who have been traumatized by the disaster[7].

Economic aftermath

   Prior to the recent earthquake that hit Türkiye, the country was already facing significant economic challenges—making Türkiye’s economy more susceptible to the earthquake and its aftermath. Inflation had been a persistent issue for several years, with the Turkish President Erdogan cutting interest rates, which only served to fuel further inflation[10]. As a result, the value of the Turkish Lira continuously declined, making it difficult for Türkiye to attract foreign investors[10]. Additionally, the country grappled with a substantial debt burden, as its public debt constituted approximately 40% of its GDP[10]. This considerable debt level raised concerns about the long-term stability and viability of the Turkish economy.

   When the earthquake struck on February 6 and collapsed buildings and infrastructure in the affected region, it led to job losses and a reduction in economic output. The agricultural and industrial sectors, which account for a significant portion of Türkiye's GDP, were hit particularly hard; the stricken provinces in Türkiye are responsible for almost 15% of the country's agricultural output and 9% of its industrial output[11]. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has estimated that Türkiye could lose up to 1% of its GDP due to the earthquake[11].

   In Syria, the commercial and industrial facilities that were reduced to rubble have caused stagnation in the commercial sector and a steep increase in the prices of basic goods in Northwest Syria. The destruction of warehouses damaged the stored goods, and the depletion of basic goods in the market has led to a sharp rise in the prices of alternatives[12]. Moreover, the situation was worsened by the halt in the transport of goods across the Bab al-Hawa border crossing, the main economic outlet for the region that connects Syria and Türkiye, in the first few days after the earthquake[12]. With 80% of foods in northwestern Syria coming through the border crossings with Türkiye, the halt in transport has caused a significant impact on the availability and cost of goods in the region[12]. For example, the cost of raw materials such as flour, yeast, and fuel has increased by 20%[12].

Global responses 

   Following the earthquake in Syria and Türkiye, there has been an outpouring of international aid to support the damaged communities. Several countries, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations have stepped up to provide emergency assistance and support the recovery efforts. The U.N. has released an initial $2 million from its emergency response fund to support the relief efforts in the affected areas, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and the Red Cross have also provided emergency assistance and support[13]. The IRC has prioritized cash distributions to help households meet their basic needs, while the Red Cross has sent emergency response teams to provide medical care and other assistance[13]. Several countries, including the United Kingdom and Germany have pledged financial and material support to the relief efforts; the United Kingdom has pledged £1 million, while Germany has pledged €2 million[1].

   Notably, the United States has also been a key contributor to the aid efforts in Türkiye and Syria, providing a total of $185 million in assistance[12]. This aid has included vital supplies such as medicine and health services to help the victims cope with the aftermath of the earthquake. However, there were concerns about the impact of U.S. sanctions on the delivery of critical supplies to Syria, given that the United States has severed economic relations with the current Syrian government led by Bashar al-Assad due to the U.S. Syria Sanctions Regulations[14]. To address this issue, the U.S. Department of the Treasury authorized all transactions related to earthquake relief for 180 days[15]. State Department spokesperson Ned Price also announced that the United States will deliver aid to Syria through NGOs without engaging with the Syrian government[12]. While U.S. sanctions against the Syrian government remain in place, the authorization of these transactions for earthquake relief purposes reflects a recognition of the urgent needs of the Syrian people in the aftermath of the earthquake, and a willingness to take steps to address those needs.

Korean aid 

   South Korea has joined other countries in aiding the communities hit by the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria. The Yoon Suk-yeol administration dispatched a team of approximately 110 disaster relief workers along with emergency medical supplies to Türkiye, while also pledging $5 million in humanitarian aid[16]. During a Cabinet meeting, President Yoon expressed condolences and emphasized that Türkiye was a brother nation that assisted South Korea during the Korean War, stating that it is the nation's duty to help Türkiye in their time of need[16]. The Korean Disaster Relief Team (KDRT) and military personnel were dispatched to Türkiye to collaborate with other countries and the U.N.[16]. In appreciation of South Korea’s humanitarian aid, Türkiye expressed their gratitude. On their return flight back to Korea after completing rescue operations in Türkiye on February 18, the KDRT team received a heartfelt thank-you video from Turkish citizens in Korean[17]. Furthermore, they were welcomed by the Turkish Ambassador to Seoul, Murat Tamer, who conveyed his appreciation, stating, “The people of Türkiye will never forget Korea’s support for the damages caused by the earthquake[17].” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also announced that the Yoon administration would contribute $1 million in humanitarian aid to Syria through the U.N. due to its lack of diplomatic ties with Syria[18].

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   The earthquake that hit Türkiye and Syria has left a trail of devastation and despair. The disaster has highlighted the importance of proper building standards, resources, and population density management, as well as the ongoing challenges faced by these countries due to pre-existing economic and political conditions. However, the response from the international community has been heartening, with many countries and organizations stepping up to provide support to the affected communities. While the road to recovery will be long and challenging, there is hope that these communities will be able to rebuild and move forward with the help of ongoing support and compassion from around the world.

[1] CNN

[2] TIME

[3] AP News

[4] Daily Sabah

[5] Reuters

[6] CNBC

[7] BBC

[8] Fault line: A fracture in the Earth’s crust where two tectonic plates meet, resulting in earthquakes

[9] ReliefWeb

[10] GlobalEDGE

[11] The New York Times

[12] Aljazeera

[13] VOA

[14] Syria Sanctions Regulations: Targeted economic sanctions imposed by the United States against the Syrian government, including economic transactions and investment bans

[15] U.S. Department of the Treasury

[16] Yonhap News Agency

[17] Korea JoongAng Daily

[18] The Korea Times