2023 Turkey-Syria Earthquake

On 6 February 2023, a devastating earthquake of 7.8 on the Richter scale hit Southern Turkey in the early hours of 6 February (4.17 a.m.). This was the strongest earthquake to hit Turkey since the 1939 Erzincan earthquake of the same magnitude. The earthquake was felt as far as Egypt, Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Cyprus, and the Black Sea coast of Turkey, and was followed by more than 10,000 aftershocks in the ensuing weeks. The unprecedented scale of the disaster and the destruction it left behind has united the entire nation of Turkey and mobilized the world to aid in the relief efforts. We interviewed our Turkish moderator, Realsteel, who was one of the first few to arrive in the disaster zone and has been dedicating himself to rescue efforts in past weeks. Following article contains original images of the disaster zones taken by RealSteel, viewer discretion is advised. 

Our Turkish Moderator (RealSteel) in the foreground on his way to support relief efforts in the disaster zone on 7 Feb.


Bus transporting volunteers to disaster zone

Interview with Making Cents Turkish Moderator (RealSteel)

Interviewer: Hey RealSteel, you ok buddy? 

RealSteel: The place I'm in is so bad everything is destroyed. There is no water, there is no electricity, everywhere is broken.

Interviewer: First of all I think it would be nice to talk a bit about you. Where in Turkey are you? Are your family and friends doing ok? You don't have to tell me more than you are comfortable with of course 

RealSteel: Hatay, Antakya Center, where I am located my family is safe, my brother was here. We brought him from the earthquake zone too. Now I am trying to help people here

Interviewer: Well it is very good to hear you and your family are safe. How is the situation in Antakya? 

RealSteel: Everything in Antakya was destroyed, shops were looted, people sleep outside in tents. We sleep in the same tents, no water, no electricity, no gas

Sights of destruction left in the wake of the earthquake

Interviewer: Do you guys have enough food and drinks? What kind of materials would you want people to donate? 

RealSteel: There is everything, a lot of aid trucks came here. We had needs, we said bring them to the people who came later. There's not much left to need right now. Now the dead are coming out and they're starting to collect buildings. They started to bring containers.

Interviewer: It is very good to hear that you have all the resources you need. How have you been helping during these difficult times? 

RealSteel: We are serving here for 9 days, we helped to remove the living ones from the wreckage, we helped people with food and clothing. We gave diapers to the children and we distributed many more materials.

Rescue efforts were carried out under very challenging conditions

Heavy machinery had to be brought in to help clear debris and provide access to survivors

Essential supplies such as medical aid and fresh water were pouring in from across the country and internationally


Our Turkish Moderator (RealSteel) carrying out maintenance duties of mobile toilets used by rescue workers

Interviewer: That is amazing work and we are proud of all that you have managed to do for your community. Is there any way in which we could help you?

RealSteel: My expenses here and what I send to my family and the salary I get can force me. Allah helps alhamdulillah. Other than that there is no need because there are bad people, those who raise prices etc. this is pushing me financially. It will get better, let's see, the important thing is the people here right now.

Interviewer: Could we maybe help you financially in some way? This would be a donation to a good friend who is working hard to help save peoples lives.  

RealSteel: You know so I don't want to be like I want it by force you are good people too and i love you so much. If people help of their own free will it is an honor for me to accept.

Living quarters of rescue workers (left image), simple meals cooked in the field that keep rescue workers going (center and right images)

A volunteer staying warm at night under a blanket

Fellow volunteers gathered by a fire after a long day of rescue efforts

Concluding Remarks

Given the scale of destruction left in the wake of the earthquake, it will take a considerable amount of time for the local communities affected to recover from this disaster. To assist in the relief and recovery efforts, you can donate to a relief group that is providing resources and aid on the ground. Here's a list you can consider.

• Bridge to Türkiye Fund is providing immediate assistance with food, water, warmth, and shelter. Donate here. 
• Ahbap is a Turkish NGO at the forefront of relief and recovery efforts. Donate here.
• Oxfam has launched an appeal to support the charity’s emergency response on the ground. Donate here.
• Turkish Red Crescent has teamed with Syrian Arab Red Crescent to provide relief on the ground. Donate here.
• Doctors Without Borders in Turkey and Syria - Donate here.
• Turkish Philanthropy Fund (TPF): A NYC-based organization run by the Turkish-American community. Donate here. 
• AKUT: Turkey's large search-and-rescue NGO. Recommended by many NGO watch sites, AKUT is also a member of the UN Search & Rescue Advisory Group. Donate here.
• Research Institute on Turkey, a registered 501(c)3 non-profit in New York supported by academics and researchers at Barnard, Columbia, and beyond, is raising funds to be transferred to active and respected relief organizations in Turkey. Donate here. 
• Syrian Medical Association is requesting financial donations for supplies. Donate here.
• The White Helmets (Syria Civil Defence), a humanitarian organization dedicated to helping Syrian communities, is accepting financial donations as they search for survivors. Donate here.

Making Cents also salutes all volunteers who have selflessly dedicated themselves to the relief efforts. If you are a member of Making Cents community and have been personally touched by the incredible character that RealSteel is, you can also choose to make a crypto donation to his personal Vite wallet at the following address.

• vite_799de03495e714dad69d8a1fa798446b236fb3644439c5d302

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