Türkiye is entering the final phase of its large-scale reconstruction campaign following the devastating twin earthquakes of February 2023 that struck 11 provinces and claimed over 53,000 lives. Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum announced that rebuilding efforts have reached unprecedented speed and scale, with nearly 70% of planned housing projects completed.
Speaking at a press conference showcasing the nation’s recovery, Kurum said that Türkiye has invested $75 billion in reconstruction, employing over 200,000 workers across 3,500 construction sites. “At this moment, 23 new homes are being completed and handed over every hour — 550 per day,” he stated, emphasizing that the country has entered the final stretch of its rebuilding efforts.
By November 15, Türkiye expects to deliver its 350,000th new home, with the total number of rebuilt residences expected to reach 453,000 by year’s end. Kurum noted that two-thirds of affected families have already returned home and that the lessons learned from this process will guide future projects, including the upcoming Century Housing Project, which aims to construct 500,000 homes across all 81 provinces.
Kurum expressed gratitude to the international community for its assistance and said Türkiye stands ready to share its expertise in post-disaster recovery. The February 6, 2023 earthquakes, measuring magnitudes 7.7 and 7.6, affected more than 14 million people across Adana, Adıyaman, Diyarbakır, Elazığ, Gaziantep, Kahramanmaraş, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye, and Şanlıurfa, as well as parts of northern Syria.