On February 6, 2023, a devastating earthquake hit Southern Turkey and Syria, leading to over 46,000 fatalities and displacing more than 1.9 million people in need of temporary housing. The quake severely damaged over 160,000 buildings, including around 520,000 residential units.

According to the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), the death toll in Turkey reached 45,089, with total casualties in Syria bringing it to approximately 51,000. Over 108,000 people in Turkey suffered severe injuries; many were left homeless and in tents. Following intense aftershocks, I experienced another earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale, which intensified the challenges. Despite the conditions, I focused on capturing survivors’ stories and assessing their urgent needs.