Today marks three years since a magnitude 7.8 earthquake shook southern Turkey and northern Syria, claiming more than 59,000 lives and further exacerbating the humanitarian crises in both countries. This earthquake was the most devastating to hit Turkey since 1999 and one of the most powerful ever recorded in the country, demonstrating the urgent need for earthquake recovery in Syria and Turkey.

The quick succession of a second magnitude 7.5 earthquake, approximately nine hours later, created a long and challenging path to recovery for the region, as thousands of homes and businesses were destroyed and nearly 18 million people were left in immediate need of humanitarian assistance.  

  years later, widespread needs remain, and survivors are still grappling with the lasting physical, emotional and psychosocial impacts of the disaster. Shortly after the earthquakes, CDP launched the Turkey & Syria Earthquake Recovery Fund to support the most underserved and at-risk earthquake-affected families and communities as they work to rebuild and recover.  

In October 2023, we announced the first round of 13 grants from the fund, totaling $5.6 million. The grants supported immediate humanitarian needs while also investing early in longer-term recovery priorities, like rehabilitating community infrastructure, restoring livelihoods and local economies, and expanding access to mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS). 

Recovery in Action

Members of the CDP international team recently had the chance to see the recovery work in Turkey in person. Over the course of six days, the team met with more than 20 organizations in Antakya, İskenderun, Samandağ, Kahramanmaraş and Gaziantep, Turkey.

While signs of reconstruction are increasingly visible, particularly in urban areas, the visit also made clear the sheer scale and depth of the destruction, which has left many still displaced and continuing to live in container-home cities or settlements, often with limited access to stable livelihoods, adequate services and long-term housing solutions. Alongside these realities, the team encountered extraordinary resilience and leadership among communities continuing to rebuild nearly three years after the earthquakes.

Read the full article about supporting earthquake recovery in Turkey and Syria at Center for Disaster Philanthropy.