The devastating Türkiye–Syria earthquakes that struck Kahramanmaraş on 6 February 2023 left an indelible mark on the nation. This catastrophic event, known in Türkiye as the Disaster of the Century, prompted an outpouring of domestic and international support. The Turkish Red Crescent (TRC) was among the first to respond, deploying every resource at its disposal to meet the needs of those affected.
Immediately after the earthquakes, teams from the Directorate General of Community Services made up of social workers, public health experts, and psychosocial support personnel had made their way to the disaster area and were ready to offer whatever assistance they could. Initially focused on providing much-needed food assistance, these teams soon expanded their efforts to cover a broader range of needs based on their areas of expertise, as outlined in Türkiye Disaster Response Plan. Teams distributed food and clothing through social markets and home visits, offered psychosocial support and psychological first aid, and provided primary healthcare services via mobile units. They also ensured access to clean water, hygiene products, and shower and laundry facilities under UNICEF’s WASH program. During the early recovery phase, these teams conducted surveys, focus group discussions, and interviews with various individuals to assess the evolving needs and capacities in the region. These findings were meticulously documented and used by TRC to develop long-term recovery plans.
Cash-based assistance has become increasingly common in humanitarian aid, both during emergencies and in more stable times. According to the 2023 State of the World’s Cash report published by the CALP Network, 7.9 billion USD—twenty-one percent of all humanitarian aid worldwide—was distributed directly to individuals affected by crises through cash or vouchers in 2022. Having been using cash assistance for years, TRC introduced the Esen Card to improve the effectiveness of these efforts after the Türkiye–Syria earthquakes to meet the heightened need. The Esen Card allows beneficiaries to withdraw money deposited by TRC from ATMs or use it as a debit card for shopping. Distributing these cards in areas where markets have reopened allows those affected to purchase items and services that meet their own personal needs. This not only helps preserve their dignity but also helps the local economy recover. Though initially rolled out in the hardest-hit areas, the Esen Card may be used nationwide for both emergency and regular purchases.
Despite our focus shifting to the earthquake zone, we continued to support all our compatriots in need throughout 2023. During Ramadan, for instance, we coordinated with our local branches to distribute food, cash, and clothing to nearly five million people across the country. Our soup kitchens served hot meals to 48,193 people and food aid reached 569,000 over the course of the year. Beneficiaries received 1,652,616 items of clothes free of charge from our TRC Boutiques. True to our mission to enhance individual and community resilience both in Türkiye and abroad and to alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found, we provided targeted assistance to orphaned children, people with disabilities, new mothers, individuals facing health challenges, children with special needs, and displaced persons.
TRC launched its Scholarship Management System (known in Turkish by the acronym KBYS) in 2023 to streamline and enhance the effectiveness of our cash-based education support programs. This program was initiated to ensure equal opportunities in education for hardworking students facing financial challenges throughout their studies and to help them grow into self-confident, responsible individuals. Following a rigorous selection process involving online applications and video interviews, a total of 2,123 students were awarded regular scholarships in 2023.
TRC continued its first aid training efforts to enhance community resilience throughout 2023, which proved crucial during the aftermath of the Türkiye–Syria earthquakes. We certified 136,155 first aid responders who are now equipped to handle emergencies in their own communities and abroad. We ramped up our public awareness efforts, reaching 280,864 people through first aid seminars and providing 104,192 individuals with workshops and seminars on psychological first aid, an area found to be underrepresented after the Türkiye-Syria earthquakes.
Aligned with our 2030 goal of working toward a society that lives and ages healthily, 151 women health ambassadors who have completed our healthy living workshop are now leading efforts to foster a culture of healthy living across the country.
As the Directorate General of Community Services, we remain dedicated to our mission to safeguard the well-being and safety of our fellow human beings, whether during times of crisis or in everyday circumstances, ensuring ample support anytime and anywhere it is needed.
1 CALP Network. (2023). The State of the World’s Cash 2023. https://www.calpnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/The-State-of-the-Worlds-Cash-2023-1.pdf