Case study: 2023 Turkey- Syria Earthquake Flashcards
About
- February 6, 2023
- Magnitude of 7.8, with the epicentre located 37km north-west of the town of Gaziantep in Turkey
- Turkey is a NEE, with well developed emergency response capabilities
- Syria is a LIC with a limited capacity to respond to disaster. It has had over a decade of civil war
Causes
- East Anatolian rift: a conservative plate boundary between the Anatolian plate and the Arabian plate.
- Pressure built up between the plates, which deformed the rock, which eventually fractured and large amounts of energy were released.
- The epicentre was located 37km northwest of the town of Gaziantep
Primary effects
- Approximately 6650 buildings destroyed
- 50,000 people killed, with over 100,000 more injured
- The estimated cost was $84.1 billion. In Turkey, the estimated costs alone from physical damage was $34.2 billion.
- Key infrastructure such as roads, bridges and utilities were heavily damaged
Secondary effects
- Fires broke out due to ruptured gas lines
- An estimated 1.5 million in Turkey and 5.3 million people in Syria were made homeless
- Severe economic impact due to businesses destroyed
- Spread of disease due to poor healthcare and densely populated shelters
- Aftershocks of up to magnitude 7.5
Short term responses
- Australia provided $6.5 million through schemes to help with disaster assistance
- Emergency aid such as food, water and medical supplies were distributed. World charities such as the red cross, Unicef and MSF set up emergency shelters
- 80,000 red Crescent staff worked to provide vital support for 14 million people
- World vision provided 22 000 heaters and gave 10675 shelter kits. They also supported 450 000 people with health and nutrition.
- Local people began to search for survivors in the rubble
- The UN issued a $1 billion appeal to assist five million people in Turkey with food, security, protection and education for three months
Long term responses
- The united nations development programme provided $4.5 million in grants to small business.
- The world bank approved $1 billion in financing Turkey’s recovery efforts, for restoring key infrastructure
- Mental health support services have been established to help survivors with trauma and loss
- Both countries are improving earthquake preparedness and response capabilities
When did it happen?
6th of February, 2023
What was the magnitude?
7.8 on the Richter scale
Where was the epicentre located?
37km northwest of the town of Gaziantep in Turkey
Economic status of Turkey and Syria
- Turkey is a NEE, with well developed emergency responses
- Syria is a LIC with a limited capacity to respond. Had over a decade of civil war
Why did it happen?
Pressure built up between the Arabian and the Anatolian plates, along the East Anatolian rift. The rocks fractured and energy was released
How many buildings were destroyed?
Approximately 6650
How many people were killed and injured?
50,000 killed, and over 100,000 more injured
Estimated cost
$84 billion
Why did fires break out after the event?
Due to ruptured gas lines
How many were made homeless?
1.5 million in Turkey
5.3 million in Syria
Why did disease spread?
Poor healthcare and densely populated shelters
What magnitude were the aftershocks up to?
7.5
How much money did Australia provide through schemes?
$6.5 million
How many red crescent staff worked to help?
80,000
How many heaters and shelter kits did world vision provide?
22,000 heaters, and 10675 shelter kits
How much money did the UN issue to help people in Turkey with food, security, protection and education?
$1 billion, which helped 5 million people
How much money did the UN provide in grants to small businesses?
$4.5 million
How much money did the world bank approve to send to Turkey
$1 billion
