Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority announced on Wednesday that the death toll from the devastating earthquake that struck the country last month has risen to 45,089, bringing the total number of fatalities in Turkey and Syria to around 51,000. The earthquake and subsequent strong aftershocks have injured more than 108,000 people in Turkey, leaving millions in tents or seeking to relocate to other cities.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has pledged to rebuild homes within a year, but it will take several months before thousands can leave tents or live in shipping containers, facing daily queues for food and moving to permanent housing. Erdoğan is scheduled to address members of the ruling Justice and Development Party in parliament at 09:00 GMT, focusing on the earthquake and the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections, which are set to take place by June and represent the biggest political challenge Erdoğan has faced in his two decades in power.
The earthquake has resulted in more than 160,000 buildings and 520,000 apartments collapsing or being severely damaged in the worst disaster in the country’s modern history. The administration stated that nearly two million people have fled the area, which has experienced over 11,000 aftershocks since the initial quake. Turkey has set up over 350,000 tents, establishing tent cities in 332 locations across the region, and container housing has been created in 162 spots.
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated on Tuesday that the organization would support Ankara in its response to the earthquake, adding that while Turkey is "doing its best," it still requires international assistance to help the victims.
