Turkey Is In A State Of Crisis

I am honestly at a loss for words on how to begin this newsletter. I won’t sugarcoat anything. Turkey is currently facing a severe crisis. On February 6th, a quiet Monday morning turned into a historic-catastrophic record day. A devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Turkey. Fortunately, I was not physically affected by the earthquake where I am located. Although personally affected is a different story. Search and rescue missions have already begun and I plan to be accepted as a volunteer as well when the next wave of volunteers is organized.

The architecture in Turkey consists mainly of multi-story buildings. Meaning, when a collapse happens it is not merely single family homes that fall with the rubble, but it is extremely multifaceted. When the initial hit happened it was around 4am. The streets were empty and beds were full. Aftershocks continued for several hours after the last earthquake. More minor, although still destructive, earthquakes lasted weeks, even months, after. The extent of destruction spans over 316 miles. Tragically, some members of my community, including a pastor and his wife, were trapped under the rubble and did not survive. Their two sons were rescued, but many others have lost their homes along with all of their belongings. They have been forced to sleep on the streets around fires, or those who are fortunate enough to have transportation, to sleep in their cars. One of my closest Turkish friends, Emir, got the call all of his friends from childhood and their families laid deep beneath the rubble unable to be retracted. All we could do is wait knowing that the ones who still held onto life, lay their hopeful, as we stand on the other side completely helpless. Another Turkish woman who was pregnant and became trapped under the very home she rested her head, gave birth between the ice cement and rebar of her collapsed home. The birth was miraculous although she soon fell lifeless after delivering life. Her newborn baby was rescued.

The situation is dire, with no electricity or water in many affected areas. The death toll has been doubling each day and countless lives have been lost. I have witnessed an unimaginable magnitude of destruction. I struggle to find the words to express the impact of these events and how they are affecting us all.

The recovery process will undoubtedly take years. Even five years after Hurricane Katrina hit the United States, families were still trying to rebuild their lives while living in shelters. Plus that was in a westernized country with more resources and infrastructure. I cannot fathom the immense strength it will take for Turkey to recover on its own after the initial shock subsides and the media shifts its focus elsewhere.

It is not a coincidence that Turkey has faced a series of crises over the past year. From the currency crisis to economic struggles, housing crisis, record breaking inflation increase and now the physical destruction which mimics that of economic destruction. This country has endured one crisis after another all within the span of a single year. These events have taken a heavy toll on a nation that was once laid in a stable economic standing. I feel as if I have bore witness to a ruthless cancer slowly feeding off this deeply rich cultured country.

Turkey’s rich history and cultural significance are undeniable. Just a few weeks before the earthquake I had the opportunity to visit Ephesus in Izmir, a place of historical importance. Turkey is a land of preserved ruins, cobbled stones which withstand thousands of years and rich culture. I am continually humbled by the depth of history and the cultural significance of this land. However, I am also aware that our human intellect falls short in understanding the complexities of events and the interconnectedness of it all. There is a sense in my spirit that Turkey is in a profoundly significant and climactic moment; outside the bounds of it’s history transcending our perception of time.

It can be challenging to maintain hope and resilience in times like these. We are witnessing a year of immense grief and destruction. The physical devastation caused by this earthquake is heartbreaking, with buildings collapsing and lives lost. It can be emotionally draining, as one moment you see glimpses of hope, and the next moment you question the feasibility of recovery. Some days it feels as if our efforts make no difference and we may even take steps backward. However, we must remember that throughout history, humanity has shown resilience in the face of adversity. It is in times of crises that the true strength of a nation and its people emerges.

This is a photo of a father Mesut Hancer. He sat on the freezing rubble, too grief stricken to speak, refusing to let go of his 15 year old daughter Irmak’s hand as she lies lifeless under the concerete and strands of twisted rebar. He sat with her all night throughout the freezing cold knowing she had passed.