HATAY - In Hatay, where the earthquakes caused the heaviest destruction, only time has changed in 2 years. Problems in many areas, especially housing, education and health, continue as they are. 

 

It has been 2 years since the earthquakes of magnitude 7.7 and 7.6, which occured on 6 February 2023, centred in Mereş (Maraş). Athough the epicentres were Pazarcık and Elbistan districts of Mereş, a total of 11 cities were affected by the earthquakes. Hatay was one of the cities that suffered the most deaths and destruction. 

 

According to official data, 24 thousand 147 people lost their lives in the earthquakes. 80 thousand 323 buildings were either destroyed or heavily damaged. In addition to hospitals, schools and public buildings, 21 historical buildings such as Habibi Neccar Mosque, Great Mosque, Parliament Building, Antakya Greek Orthodox Church, which are the symbols of the city, were completely destroyed in the earthquakes. Almost the entire infrastructure of the city was damaged. While the runway at the airport collapsed, there was a great migration. 

 

After the earthquake, 563 thousand 751 people living in the city had to migrate to different cities. While most of the migrated citizens returned to the city within 2 years, it is estimated that more than 100 thousand Hatay residents still live in different cities. 

 

HALF-OPEN PRISONS!

 

One of the most important problems in the city is shelter. According to the data of the Ministry of Interior Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) last year, 215,310 people live in 199 container cities. These places cannot be entered without the permission of the governorate. These places look like semi-open prisons with high fences and security personnel at the gates. During the 2-year period, container cities were also adversely affected by the rainfall. There have been many fires and many people have lost their lives. 

 

In addition to container cities, thousands of people are still struggling to live in tents. The most urgent need of the citizens living in tents is clean water. Sudden rains also cause frequent flooding in the tents. 

 

TOKİ, affiliated to the Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change, started to build housing and workplaces in some regions after the earthquake. Until the end of 2024, 32 thousand 160 houses and workplaces were delivered. This number is expected to increase to 158,169 by the end of this year. Some of the areas where housing and workplaces are built are olive groves and agricultural lands. After the earthquake in Hatay, the reserve area application was put into effect. With this practice, many olive groves and agricultural lands were expropriated. 

 

AIR POLLUTION

 

The destruction that started after the earthquake still continues in the city. This situation causes serious air pollution and health problems. It is known that particles smaller than 10 micrometres in diameter (PM10), which are suspended in the air with the dust generated by debris and debris transport, contain carcinogenic substances. The Turkish Medical Association (TTB) and the Right to Clean Air Platform warned against the pollution last year by saying, ‘Particulate matter pollution resulting from intensive demolition works in the region causes many health problems, especially acute and chronic respiratory diseases’. However, no measures have been taken against this situation so far. 

 

In addition to housing problems and air pollution, problems in many areas, especially in health and education, have been continuing for 2 years. 

 

PROBLEMS IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION

 

Özgür Tıraş, chair of the Education and Science Workers' Union (Eğitim Sen) Hatay branch, said that the number of classrooms in the city, which was 14 thousand 724, dropped to 8 thousand 45 after the earthquake. Pointing out that 390 schools were either destroyed or damaged in the earthquakes, Tıraş noted that only 100 schools were rebuilt in this process. Tıraş stressed that reconstruction and strengthening works are insufficient.

 

INACCESSIBLE RIGHT TO HEALTH

 

Sevdar Yılmaz, President of Hatay Medical Chamber, reminded that most of the health facilities were severely damaged during the earthquake. Stating that 56 health facilities were destroyed and only a few of them could be put into service, Yılmaz noted that the lack of medical equipment and disruptions in patient admission are among the other important factors that make services difficult. Yılmaz said, "Critical health services such as paediatric intensive care, oncology and radiation services are still not fully available. After the earthquake, health workers in Hatay had to struggle with many missing medical equipment and infrastructure problems. In addition, disruptions in the admission of patients and internet infrastructure problems seriously affected the quality of health services."

 

6 February Coordination member Selver Büyükkeleş said that although 2 years have passed, there are many problems that need to be solved in the city. On 6 February, Selver Büyükkeleş stated that she came out from under the rubble with her own means and that they established solidarity coordinations and said, "As 6 February approaches, we say that we have not forgotten, we have not forgiven, we have not forgiven with our mourning and anger in our neighbourhoods." 

 

Selver Büyükkeleş called for participation in the commemorations to be held on the second anniversary of the earthquake.

 

Ekrem Deveci, founder of Hatay Earthquake Victim Association and member of the 6 February Earthquake Platform, said, "We do not accept that not a single person resigned and those responsible for the earthquake were not put on trial. We do not accept this life they subjected us to in a city far from humane living conditions. We are raising the struggle to claim our own lives in the reconstruction of Hatay. As the 6 February Platform, we will hold a mass march at 17.30 on 5 February and a forum at 19.30 on the same date. On 6 February, we will hold a commemoration event at 4.17 am. We are waiting for all of Hatay."

 

MA / Hamdullah Yağız Kesen