Türkiye - Earthquake response - ETS Situation Report #7 (Reporting period: 14/03/2023 to 20/03/2023)

The Emergency Telecommunications Sector (ETS) response in Türkiye is co-led by WFP and the Government of Türkiye Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure to support the response in the areas affected by the multiple earthquakes that struck on 6 February 2023. ETS Türkiye Situation Reports are issued weekly.

Highlights

• The ETS set up a further 10 charging station units in a temporary settlement managed by the government authorities in Malatya from 17 to 18 March, following an assessment carried out on 13 March.

• The charging station services in Hatay and Malatya provide access to a safe and dedicated space for communities impacted by the earthquakes to charge their communications devices.

• The ETS Coordinator based in Gaziantep left the operation on 19 March after a one-month mission across both Ankara and Gaziantep. A new ETS Coordinator has rotated into the operation, based in Gaziantep.

Situation overview

Multiple aftershocks continue to impact Türkiye. Most recently, an earthquake of magnitude 4.3 occurred in Göksun, Kahramanmaraş, on 19 March. There have been thousands of aftershocks across south-east and central Türkiye since the 6 February earthquakes.

Over the past week, heavy rains and storms have caused flash floods in Adıyaman and Şanlıurfa, two cities that were already reeling from the impact of the earthquakes. The floods have further compounded the already challenging conditions for those living in the temporary settlements, with many tents being inundated by floodwaters.

The response to the earthquakes is being led by the Government of Türkiye, coordinated through the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) and with the Turkish Red Crescent (TRC). The international humanitarian community is supporting the Government of Türkiye in providing immediate assistance to the affected population.

The total number of people provided with shelter and accommodation is more than 3.5 million, including 1.9 million people provided with shelter in the earthquake affected regions.