Earthquake migration strains big cities

ISTANBUL — The devastating earthquakes that hit southern Turkiye last month have caused major internal displacement, putting a significant strain on resources in major cities.

Twin earthquakes on Feb 6 killed at least 44,374 people. They also left 164,321 buildings either "collapsed, on the verge of collapse, or with severe structural damage", amounting to about 520,000 apartments, the Ministry of Environment and Urban Planning said.

Many survivors in the 10 provinces hit hardest have since left and moved to neighboring cities or large urban centers. The Disaster and Emergency Management Authority has relocated 528,146 people in the past three weeks, but countless more have relocated by their own means.