Turkey Marks Two Years since Devastating Earthquake, Recovery Progress Criticized

Two years after the catastrophic earthquake that struck Turkey, recovery efforts remain sluggish, leaving hundreds of thousands displaced and many promises unfulfilled. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced significant investments in the affected regions, claiming the completion of over 200,000 housing units, yet opposition leaders and local activists argue that the pace of reconstruction is insufficient. Survivors, like Omer Aydin, continue to struggle in temporary housing, grappling with both the trauma of the disaster and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Critics highlight the slow delivery of promised homes, with only a fraction completed, which poses risks of long-term depopulation and community instability. Additionally, survivors express frustration over a lack of transparency in investigations into the disaster and demand accountability from public officials. As the anniversary of the earthquake approaches, the need for swift and effective action to rebuild is more urgent than ever.