In February, the country was shaken by the most devastating "natural” disaster in its history.
According to official figures, 55,000 people in Turkey and 10,000 in Syria lost their lives in the earthquake of February 6th, which had its epicentre in
In the immediate aftermath, refugees once again became the scapegoats for the anger caused by the failed search and rescue operations and humanitarian aid efforts.
During the election campaigns, candidates focused heavily on the issue of repatriating refugees. Polls indicated that 80 per cent of the population supported sending Syrians back.
But what were the people in migrant neighbourhoods experiencing and feeling during this time?
Disasters, economic crises, or political turmoil always hit them the hardest—and the fastest.
1 – Life in Hatay a few days after 6 February. (AA) 2 – Table displaying the results of the second round of the presidential elections. (Wikimedia) 3 – Jewish Voice for Peace protesters in Philadelphia during a demonstration calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. (Reuters/Hannah Beier) 4 – The women's national volleyball team brought Turkey the World, European, and Nations League titles in 2023. (TVF) 5 – The hbs Turkey office bids farewell to Kristian Brakel in Seoul and welcomes the new director Dawid Bartelt. From left to right: Cem, Dawid, Yonca, Banu, Kristian, Claudia Roth, Violet, Semahat, Saynur, Julia, Hatice. (hbs)