article.page.titleprefix Emergency response, and community impact after February 6, 2023 Kahramanmaraş Pazarcık and Elbistan Earthquakes: reconnaissance findings and observations on affected region in Türkiye
Date
2024-02-07
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering
Abstract
Türkiye has a long history of devastating earthquakes, and on February 6, 2023, the region experienced two major earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.7 and 7.6, striking Pazarcık and Elbistan, Kahramanmaraş, respectively, on the East Anatolian Fault Zone. These earthquakes resulted in significant loss of life and property, impacting multiple cities across 11 cities, and leaving a lasting impact on the country. The 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes rank among the deadliest and most damaging earthquakes in Türkiye, alongside the historical significance of the 1939 Erzincan Earthquake and the 1999 Marmara Earthquake. Despite reforms following the 1999 Marmara Earthquake in disaster policy and preparedness, the scale of damage from the February 6 earthquakes has been shocking, necessitating further insights and lessons for future earthquake management. This paper presents the outcomes of immediate response efforts organized after the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes to elucidate emergency response activities and their impacts on communities, considering the substantial size and severity of the damages. The study focuses on evaluating the emergency response provided within the first 24 h, 3 days, and 2 weeks after the earthquakes, aiming to promptly identify the nature and effectiveness of these responses, as well as the conditions that hindered their efficacy. By shedding light on the specific experiences and challenges faced during these crucial timeframes, the research aims to offer valuable insights and lessons learned. These findings contribute to improved preparedness strategies and more efficient emergency response measures needed in responding to future disaster scenarios. Ultimately, this study provides a useful resource for all stakeholders involved in emergency response and disaster management, offering valuable guidance to enhance resilience and preparedness in the face of seismic hazards.
Description
Open Access, Published by Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering; https://doi.org/10.1007/s10518-024-01867-3; Meltem Şenol Balaban, Department of City and Regional Planning, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey; Canay Doğulu, Department of Psychology, TED University, Ankara, Turkey; Nil Akdede, Department of Architecture, Atilim University, Ankara, Turkey; Haldun Akoğlu, Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey; Onur Karakayalı, Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Sakarya University, Sakarya, Turkey; Sarper Yılmaz, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Health Sciences Kartal Dr Lutfi Kirdar City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey; Serkan Yılmaz, Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey; Tolulope Ajobiewe, Graduate School of Social Sciences, Urban Policy Planning and Local Governments, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey; Selin Güzel, Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Geodetic and Geographic Information Technologies, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey; Gözde İkizer. Ayşe Nuray Karancı, Department of Psychology, TOBB University of Economics and Technology, Ankara, Turkey; Muge Akin, Department of Civil Engineering, Abdullah Gul University, Kayseri, Turkey; Yeşim Ünal, Department of Psychology, Haliç University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Keywords
Emergency response; Relief; Shelter; Health services; Community impact
Citation
https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14411/2015