The most catastrophic natural disaster, an earthquake, can be more dangerous than we think. The earthquakes in Turkey are known to be the most massive in world history. They brought out various losses for living organisms and affected their lives differently. They ruined cities, damaged buildings, and killed thousands of people. On the morning of Feb 6, an earthquake of 7.8 transpired in Turkey and continued with its aftershocks. These hazardous earthquakes of 2023 have been linked to disparate effects on Turkey, including health and political effects.
Owing to these earthquakes, public health was affected physiologically and physically. Initially, there were many deaths and injuries after it. According to Turkey’s government, it killed approximately forty-five thousand people, injured eighty thousand, and left millions homeless. Many were lost, and still, their dead bodies were not found. Additionally, people in Turkey lost their lives and became homeless. After the earthquakes, the people who lost their families, homes, etc., were impacted mentally.
Moreover, Beena Tiwari, a Turkish doctor in the city of Iskenderun, stated that people in Turkey were saying they were still in trauma because of the earthquake’s aftershocks. She also talked about Hassan Moaz, a nine-year-old boy from Syria, who was still in trauma and repeatedly heard the sounds of the quakes. These mysterious earthquakes cost many lives.
The disastrous earthquakes of 2023 left behind a path of ruination and desolation.
The earthquake in Turkey prompted economic loss and public opposition to the government. This killed many people, made millions homeless, and destroyed 214,000 buildings, most of which are now uninhabitable, due to which Turkey got an economic loss. These earthquakes cost Turkey $103.6 billion, equal to one-eighth of the country’s 2021 GDP (according to the Ministry of Finance). It would take Turkey a long time to build its economy. Furthermore, the losses that the public got from the earthquake made them stand against the government for not being prepared for the earthquake. Sinan Ciddi, an expert on Turkish domestic politics and foreign policy, claimed that never the less Turkish government got many lessons after the earthquake of 1999.
Nevertheless, we still needed better preparation, emergency supplies, food, evacuation centers, and other significant tools for the earthquake. This president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said it was time for us to unite. Because he knew this was what was going to weaken his political power. Hence, the massive earthquakes in Turkey had political effects on the country.
In conclusion, the disastrous earthquakes of 2023 left behind a path of ruination and desolation. They caused colossal damage to buildings, houses, cities, etc. Apart from the physical damage, it affected the health and the “political landscape.” In order to lessen the losses of future disasters, it is mandatory to be prepared for them.
About the Author:
Zubaida Baloch
Contributor at SIT Ink & InsightZubaida Baloch is a SIT alumnus and hails from Hub Chowki, Balochistan.