Dates: February 2023

Location: Türkiye

Theme: Disaster Response, Humanitarian Aid

 Two devastating earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.8 and 7.6 occurred in Turkey on the 6th of February. The earthquake caused serious destruction and loss in many different provinces of Turkey. Many buildings were severely damaged and destroyed in the earthquake in more than 10 cities. In the field of humanitarian assistance, it is very important to conduct comprehensive needs and risk analyses before, during and after the crisis in order to respond in possible unexpected situations. From the first day of the earthquake, Needs Map has been working with its team members and map-based technological infrastructure to make needs analysis and determine the impact of disasters on people, buildings, and economic activities in the region. Moreover, Needs Map has monitored the impact on affected communities and has worked with Disaster Network members to distribute aid and support to places where it is most needed through warehouses in the earthquake regions (Adana, Hatay, Adıyaman, Gaziantep, and Kahramanmaras) to respond quickly and to provide emergency supplies and to coordinate in-kind aids.

In this regard, after the earthquake, due to experiencing the most irregular living conditions in the earthquake-affected region; the emergency earthquake response works and humanitarian assistance efforts became very difficult to actualize. In order to provide a solution to this problem, Needs Map established the Online WhatsApp Request Center. Thanks to this center, it has become very easy to collect data and information regarding people in need and their needs. The collected needs were verified online and both the people in need and their urgent needs became easier to meet in the most quick way. Through this center, a total of 96.645 needs have been met so far, and a total of 20.835 families have been reached. 47.185 clothes, 27.952 food parcels and 6.973 children’s needs are the first three items of need that are mostly met.