On 6th February, two earthquakes of 7.6 M and 7.7 M struck Kahramanmaraş province in southern Türkiye . The devastating earthquakes killed more than 50,000 people in Türkiye alone, and injured more than 117,000. Many of the 2.7 million people displaced by the disaster are still living in temporary settlements - including tents – half a year later. The communities living in rural villages and makeshift tent areas outside the camps managed by the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), are especially vulnerable due to limitations in accessing water, shelter, food, basic kitchen utensils, hygiene facilities, while many children still cannot access education and learning facilities basic services.

The rise in temperatures during the summer months will increase the risk of water-borne diseases, which is further exacerbated by the unsanitary conditions people are facing in makeshift tents and settlements. Nesibe’s* daughter Lina* states “We have problems reaching hygiene products, they are only available in the city of Adiyaman”, highlighting the crucial need for these items for those living in rural areas.

Save the Children, through funding from the European Union, and in partnership with Pikolo Association, has been providing water, sanitation and hygiene services since March 1^st, 2023. The project will continue until end of August 2023 and aims to provide essential water, sanitation and hygiene services to 18,600 individuals.

The kits include shampoo, wet wipes, cleaning products, soap, sanitary pads and more to support the hygiene needs of a family of five for two months. Derya*, who lives in a tent next to her home that was destroyed during the earthquake in a rural village in Adıyaman, after receiving the kits stated “We can’t use our washing machines, clean our environment, and achieve basic hygiene needs. But thanks for the provided support now we can do it.”

In addition, Save the Children Türkiye, together with its local partners, has installed 30 water tanks, 8 latrines and showers and distributed 3,755 hygiene and dignity kits across Adıyaman and Hatay provinces. 

Bipolarate: Save the Children has been working in Türkiye since 2013. Prior to the earthquakes, Save the Children was providing protection, education and livelihoods services to vulnerable children and their families in Istanbul and Hatay. As a result of the earthquakes, these operations have been expanded to include Kahramanmaraş, Gaziantep and Adıyaman. Through our operations, we have so far reached over 199,000 children and their families by providing essential items such as food, clothing, shelter, hygiene, sanitation and education kits; installing latrines, wash facilities and water tanks; rehabilitating schools and building temporary learning facilities as well as providing mental health and psychosocial support.