A year after the Türkiye earthquake: "It's not over"

From ruins to resilience

Eighteen months after the earthquake, Hatay remains a city in transition. The once-vibrant streets are now dominated by rubble, construction vehicles, and cranes. Despite the constant noise, the city feels somehow, eerily silent. The scorching heat, which can reach up to 95°F forces most residents to stay indoors in their temporary shelters: small, 130-square-feet containers. Across Türkiye, a staggering 250,000 still live in these containers, with nowhere else to go.

Elcin and her father have called one of these containers home for over a year.

When CARE visited her a year ago Eclin shared, “It is just four white walls, not a home. I was scared to use the public showers for my safety. I built my own shower inside the container.”

A year later, we returned to visit Elcin.

“We’ve adjusted to life in a container,” she says, “but I have no idea how long this will continue.”

The street where she once lived with her family is now unrecognizable, but she still walks along it daily.

“Despite the destruction and rubble, I can still smell the presence of my loved ones,” she says.

The loss and memories of her family are now an inseparable part of Elcin’s daily life.

Healing from the trauma

The earthquake’s physical destruction is only part of the story. For many survivors, the psychological toll has been equally devastating. Like everyone else, Elcin has experienced trauma, loss, and the collapse of her entire world.

“Many say the earthquake is over, but it’s not,” she says.

“From outside, I look very good, I look very strong, but inside, I am fighting with myself.”

Elcin’s momentary silence is interrupted by the meowing of two kittens that she has taken in.

“It´s good to take care of animals. When they run to us, when they hear our voice, and when they expect something from us, this is how we are surviving.”

Looking after them and taking responsibility, she says, is like therapy for her.

Elcin knows countless people who have had traumatic experiences or lost loved ones and are now struggling with psychological issues. She has experienced the same. But she doesn’t want to give up. When she meets her children´s friends, they hug each other.

“I want to be hope for them,” she says.

Despite the overwhelming loss and hardship Elcin has faced, she continues to find strength in the small moments of joy and connection like these.

As Hatay struggles to rebuild, Elcin tells others around her: “Live in the present. Value every moment you have.”

Unmet needs and challenges

Even a year and a half later, the humanitarian crisis in Hatay persists, with critical infrastructure damaged, water supply disrupted, and widespread job losses.

Through direct cash aid, CARE and its partners continue to provide comprehensive support to those affected by the earthquakes.

Elcin’s former employer, a local newspaper office, was unable to retain her due to the economic downturn, and despite securing a new job, she and many others in the city continue to struggle to meet their basic needs.

“Our top priorities are hygiene and food,” Elcin says.

To help meet this ongoing need, CARE is distributing hygiene and food kits, as well as supporting the economic activities that will help resume the region’s creation of livelihoods. However, as Elcin’s story attests, the most urgent need remains shelter.

“We’re still living in tents and containers. Going back to normal will take a long time, but even then, I won’t ever go back to normal again.”