6 Months Later in Adiyaman: Needs Remain High
"People here live in tents. There are about 150 households in this village, and we are all living in tents. We applied for AFAD containers, but [containers] were only distributed to people with a disability.”
“In two or three months [wintertime], there will be two metres of snow and the road will be blocked. If we do not receive support for shelter, we will die during the winter season.”
“If we want a new house, we should start building it now. [My household] shares one toilet and one shower with five other households. We received toilets and showers cubicles from AFAD, but they are not connected to the sewage system. "
““There are no places to voice our concerns.”
“We keep it bottled up inside. We talk among ourselves. But men cannot voice their concerns. They are afraid to share."
“But after the earthquake we were turned upside down. Even our relationships within the family changed after the earthquake. There was a communication problem between us and our spouses.”
“We are all tense, even the children.”
Here are just some of what our team heard as they conducted a multi-sectoral needs assessment in Adıyaman, one of Turkey's hardest-hit provinces. With over 8,000 lives lost, 17,000 injured, and approximately 123,000 people displaced, the disaster left a profound mark. Adıyaman lost nearly half of its population.
Despite continuous relief efforts by both the Turkish government and humanitarian organizations, six months after the earthquake, the needs of the affected communities, especially those in rural and hard-to-reach areas, remain alarmingly high. The earthquake wreaked havoc on Adıyaman's infrastructure, with most buildings damaged or destroyed. Although some progress has been made in transitioning people from tents and dormitories to more stable containers, the shelter situation, particularly in rural areas, remains dire.
Access to basic necessities, such as sanitation facilities and potable water, continues to pose significant challenges. The situation is further exacerbated by the current economic challenges and inflation, which have hindered people's ability to recover and rebuild their lives. Understandably, the psychological impact of the earthquake continues to wear down affected communities.
We have undertaken a multi-sectoral needs assessment in Adıyaman province to shed light on the ongoing struggles faced by the affected communities . This assessment is crucial for understanding the evolving needs and designing effective relief efforts.
The data collection process involved various tools, including quantitative household surveys, key informant interviews, gender-focused focus group discussions, discussions on complaint response mechanisms, and visual checklists for assessing shelter conditions. These tools were meticulously developed, drawing on SARD's experience in Syria and the context-specific adjustments required for Adıyaman.
The needs assessment in Adıyaman emphasized the importance of multi-sectoral support to prevent further poverty among earthquake-affected communities. Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) is preferred, but special attention must be given to vulnerable households. Shelter remains a top priority, and recommendations include cash grants for ineligible households and in-kind support for those living in tents, with an integrated approach involving psychosocial support. Protection measures involve challenging patriarchal norms, addressing child labor risks, and establishing community centers. Livelihoods recovery should focus on long-term strategies, including technical support, cash grants, and vocational training. Accountability efforts entail raising awareness, recruiting diverse staff, engaging with communities, and expanding complaint response mechanisms, fostering trust and tailored assistance.
We invite you to read our needs assessment here to gain a deeper understanding of the ongoing struggles in Adıyaman. If you would like to support our work in Adıyaman please consider donating to our work here.