First Response in Adiyaman Province
The earthquake left Adıyaman resident Mahmut and his family homeless and uncertain about their future. Additionally, the earthquake disrupted the economic opportunities that once supported Mahmut and his family. Finding work as a daily wage earner became increasingly difficult for Mahmut, as job opportunities became scarce. His two cows, which were a source of additional income, stopped producing milk due to their fear caused by the earthquake. Mahmut shares, "We don't know if we will ever have a home, we don't know where we are going to live. One day we are okay, next day we are not okay."
“We don’t know if we will ever have a home, we don’t know where we are going to live. One day we are okay, next day we are not okay.”
Despite continuous relief efforts by both the Türkiye government and humanitarian organisations, multi-sectoral needs remain with populations affected by the earthquake, particularly in rural areas. Priority areas requiring immediate support include WASH (mobile toilets and showers, hygiene kits), food security and livelihoods (including cash support, food packages and cooked meals) and shelter (such as shelter repairs) as well as protection (psycho-social support).
Adıyaman was one of the worst hit provinces, with over 8,000 deaths and 17,000 injured and approximately 123,000 people displaced outside the province. Overall, it is estimated that Adıyaman lost almost half of its population since the disaster. The earthquake caused massive destruction to facilities and infrastructures with an estimated 69% of buildings damaged or destroyed, leading to over 230,000 individuals living in tents and 26,000 in containers. Most of them will likely continue residing in these temporary shelters, for the summer and potentially next winter, raising health – including mental health, protection, WASH and shelter adequacy concerns. Emerging harmful coping strategies such as early, child or forced marriages have already been observed in Adıyaman.
SARD's team has been traveling to Adıyaman and the surrounding villages to distribute much needed hygiene and baby kits to affected families like Mahmuts'. Our response would not be possible without the generous support of the German Caritas Association.
Mahmut expresses gratitude for the support he has received, acknowledging, "Whatever you gave me felt like you gave me life."