ACT SYR 231 – Assistance for earthquake-affected people in Turkey

While the recovery of the earthquake-affected region is still underway, there is still a lot of work to be done before mental recovery is achieved: a year after the disaster, public morale is more negative than immediately after the earthquake. Overcrowded emergency housing resulted in the reduction of privacy to a critical level, and many people are still only coming to terms with the trauma of the earthquake. HIA is trying to help in this aspect too: through its ACT Alliance-financed programme, several mental health professionals are conducting psychosocial sessions for adults and children in one of the tented camps of Kırıkhan. Many of them have had to suddenly become breadwinners due to the loss of their caregivers.

In winter, campdwellers are particularly exposed to the weather, with temperatures in the higher altitudes of southern Turkey often reaching freezing temperatures. To help overcome these difficulties, HIA installed solar-powered hot water systems in two camps in Iskenderun, distributed winter relief kits, installed a clothes drying container in Kırıkhan and distributed winter clothing for infants, children and adults in need.

Number of beneficiaries: 13883

Project duration: 01.05.2023. – 31.12.2024.