Ankara – Two years since devastating earthquakes struck southeast Türkiye, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and European Union (EU) have collaborated to support over 100,000 affected individuals to recover from the impact.

In the second phase of its partnership, implemented from April 2024 to February 2025, IOM and EU focused on supporting government-led response efforts by addressing outstanding needs and improving living conditions in temporary settlements, where over 500,000 remain.

A key initiative was multi-purpose cash assistance for the most vulnerable, including Syrians under Temporary Protection, in Adıyaman, Gaziantep and Hatay provinces. Targeting 2,450 households at heightened economic fragility, IOM provided tailored packages ranging from TRY 13,000 to TRY 25,000 (USD 360 to USD 750). Assistance accounted for family size and other vulnerabilities, such as disability status and health conditions.

IOM supported an additional 452 households throughout the winter, with cash assistance aimed at supporting the additional costs of heating and essential winter items. “This greatly improved our situation, covering the children’ school needs, food, clothing, a heating device and even allowing me to start eye treatment,” said Gade, who long worried about the resumption of the school year last September and the looming winter.

In Hatay’s Kırıkhan and İskenderun districts, 840 families received essential items to enhance their temporary shelters and further protect against harsh weather conditions. This included the distribution of 996 ‘insulation kits’, containing materials designed to conserve the shelter temperature, which results in reducing shelters’ temperatures by up to six degrees in the summer and increasing by up to five degrees in the winter. IOM empowered recipients to carry out the upgrades, providing step-by-step guidance.

Last summer, 120 families received ‘summer kits’, consisting of supplies like fans, cooling boxes, summer blankets, water containers and mosquito nets. Furthermore, 4,250 individuals received communal items, such as fire extinguishers and lights, which contributed to improved quality of life in the settlements.

IOM also carried out critical infrastructure upgrades in Hatay, rehabilitating a water pumping station to ensure adequate clean water supply to 7,500 residents of Hilalkent settlement and 17,000 residents of Narlica neighbourhood. IOM collaborated with the Hatay Water and Sewerage Administration (HATSU) and UNICEF to connect the station to the existing water network.

Meanwhile, close to 2,000 residents of Kızıl Elma settlement (formerly known as Opet) are enjoying a newly constructed communal space. Equipped with furniture, the space now serves as a safe gathering space to promote wellbeing, community participation and social cohesion.

In total, over 92,000 individuals benefitted from these initiatives – building on IOM and the EU’s first earthquake response partnership in 2023, where over 10,000 received critical water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) support.

“The earthquakes led to widespread destruction in the region. While there has been significant progress in recovery, we continue to work with the government and other partners to identify and support those with ongoing needs,” remarked Gerard Karl Waite, IOM’s Chief of Mission in Türkiye. “The European Union’s contributions have been vital in allowing IOM to help people get back on their feet.”

IOM and the EU will continue to monitor needs in the region, reaffirming their commitment to respond where possible.

For more information, please contact:

IOM

Miko Alazas (aalazas@iom.int)

U. Emrah Özesen (uozesen@iom.int)

EU Humanitarian Aid

Jacques David (jacques.david@echofield.eu)

Bahar Bakır Yurdakul (bahar-bakir.yurdakul@echofield.eu)