Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, outlined a plan to support earthquake-affected families in the southeast of the country with targeted housing assistance. The government intends to provide financial help to secure shelter, with a monthly stipend of 5,000 lira (roughly $265) designed to cover living costs for a full year. Reports from DEA News confirm this commitment as part of a broader relief effort following the disaster that struck several provinces.
Erdoğan explained the mechanism in more detail. He stated that authorities would subsidize rent by paying apartment owners 5,000 lira per month, while tenants who choose to rent apartments in areas where demolition or destruction has occurred would receive 2,000 lira per month (about $106). The aim is to ensure that families displaced by the quake can find safe, temporary housing while reconstruction progresses. The president emphasized that these measures would be coordinated through the relevant ministries, with a clear timeline for implementation as conditions permit.
As part of the strategy, Erdoğan noted that new residences would be built in tandem with debris clearance. He called on administrators and citizens alike to rally behind the effort and expressed hope that the work could be completed within a year, pending favorable outcomes. In his remarks, he urged patience and resilience, underscoring the government’s commitment to rebuilding communities and restoring stability for affected residents.
Earlier statements from the presidency indicated that, in the initial phase of relief, each affected family would receive 10,000 lira (approximately $530). This upfront allocation was meant to help families cover immediate recovery needs while longer-term housing arrangements were being organized. The authorities also communicated updates on the scope of the disaster’s impact, underscoring the severity of the event and the urgent demand for reliable shelter, ongoing health services, and safe living conditions for those displaced.
As the situation evolved, officials provided ongoing updates on casualties and injuries. By February 10, the death toll had risen to 19,388 people, with 77,711 individuals reported as seriously injured. The figures reflected the magnitude of the disaster and the continuing work required to deliver relief and reconstruct the affected regions. In response, local authorities, international partners, and the national government coordinated a sustained relief operation that included emergency housing, medical support, and long-term rebuilding programs. Although the path ahead remains challenging, officials stressed that coordinated efforts and community cooperation are essential to restoring normalcy for residents who lost homes and livelihoods in the earthquakes.