Earthquake Of February Research Articles

Trauma levels and perspectives on dignified death among nurses and physicians who directly experienced the recent earthquake

Background Unexpected, sudden, and tragic losses can prompt us to reflect on the concept of a "good death." The earthquake disaster that struck our country in 2023 vividly demonstrated the challenging impact of such events, which can turn lives upside down and compel us to question the notion of a "good death." This study aims to determine the perceptions of a "good death" and the levels of trauma experienced by physicians and nurses who directly witnessed the earthquake disaster, and to understand the relationship between these factors. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted between October 1 and December 31, 2023, using phone interviews facilitated by a web-based Google form. Data were collected from 560 healthcare professionals (280 nurses and 280 doctors) working in hospitals located in Kahramanmaraş, Hatay, Malatya, and Adıyaman provinces in Türkiye, which were directly impacted by the earthquake of February 6, 2023, and who consented to participate in the study. Trauma levels were assessed using the "Post-Earthquake Trauma Level Determination Scale," and perceptions of a good death were evaluated using the "Good Death Scale (GDS)." Data were analyzed using SPSS 25 and AMOS 24 software. Normal distribution was checked with the Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test. Independent t-tests were used to compare independent binary groups, Pearson correlation analysis was used to examine the relationship between scale scores, and Cronbach’s α coefficient was used to evaluate the reliability of the scales (Good Death Scale: 0.931; Trauma Scale: 0.957). Structural equation modeling and multi-group analysis were conducted to examine the relationship between scale scores according to the profession variable. Findings The mean score for the perception of a good death was found to be 52.76 ± 8.77 for physicians and 55.84 ± 9.63 for nurses. A statistically significant difference was detected between physicians and nurses in the "psychosocial spirituality," "personal control," and "clinical" sub-dimensions of the scale (p<0.05). The mean trauma scores were 56.81 ± 17.58 for physicians and 64.82 ± 18.56 for nurses. A significant difference was found in the trauma scale and its sub-dimensions ("excitement limitation," "emotional," "cognitive restructuring," "sleep problems") (p<0.05). It was observed that higher trauma levels positively influenced good death perception scores. Conclusion This study reveals that healthcare workers are deeply affected psychologically by major disasters, with high levels of trauma. A significant relationship was found between trauma levels and perceptions of a good death. These findings provide an important basis for future research to understand how trauma shapes the lives and job performance of healthcare workers in the long term.

Quality of life and post-traumatic stress disorder among elderly earthquake survivors: a focus on the February earthquake in Turkey.

On 6 February, 2023, Turkey experienced a disaster resulting from two major earthquakes. The elderly population stands out as one of the most vulnerable and least adaptable. This study aims to identify the quality of life (QOL) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among elderly earthquake survivors in Turkey. This research was conducted between 1 October, 2023 and 15 December, 2023 as a cross-sectional design. During the data collection process, survey questions prepared by the researchers (29 questions) and the Elderly Quality of Life Scale (OPQOL-Bref) and the Impact of Events Scale (IES-R) were used. Three hundred and eighty-four elderly people participated in the study. PTSD was more common in those diagnosed with chronic diseases after the earthquake, in those who had a drug-free period after the earthquake, in those who smoked and quit smoking, and in those who started psychiatric medication after the earthquake. Post-traumatic stress was seen more frequently in those with low QOL scores and in those who had a longer period of not using medication after the earthquake. It was observed that QOL was better in married people, high school graduates, those with average income levels, those who did not have chronic diseases before and after the earthquake, those who did not have a drug-free period after the earthquake, those who were physically active, and those who did not use psychiatric medication after the earthquake. Chronic disease diagnosis post-earthquake, drug-free periods, smoking habits, and psychiatric medication usage were identified as influential factors in PTSD occurrence. Additionally, the study shed light on the profound effect of earthquake-related experiences, such as house damage, injuries, deaths in first-degree relatives, displacement, and changes in living conditions, on PTSD prevalence.

About the “predecessors” of the 2023 February earthquakes, Turkey

In the frame of a comprehensive investigation of historical earthquakes of Anatolia, we propose a re-appraisal of four major earthquakes/sequences occurred after 1000 AD (1114/1115, 1269, 1513/1514 and 1544), which could be considered as predecessors of the earthquakes of February 6, 2023. The main purpose is to provide reliable parameter values for the investigated earthquakes. Our investigation consisted of: retrieving and analysing the main primary historical sources; identifying the localities mentioned and assessing macroseismic intensity; determining earthquake parameters (location, magnitude and – where possible – the source azimuth) with the repeatable and transparent “Boxer” method, after properly calibrating the relevant coefficient by considering recent earthquakes of the Anatolian region. Our investigations show that the 1114 earthquake can be considered as a predecessor of the main 2023 earthquake, although the latter ruptured a larger area; the earthquake of 1544 may be a predecessor of the second event of 2023, February; and that the background of the 1513/1514 earthquake is so poor that a lot of care is required while handling the currently available parameters. In conclusion, we also compare our results with the findings of paleoseismological investigation and discuss how they contribute to understanding the rupture history of the East Anatolian Fault.

Seismic variations before Eastern Anatolian catastrophic events in February 2023

AbstractThe East Anatolian Fault System has been intensively studied over the years due to its potential to generate strong earthquakes and the high exposure of the economy and population in the region. This interest intensified even more after the strong earthquakes in the area at the beginning of February 2023, leading to a focused search for features and precursors that might suggest such an upcoming event. We analyze certain characteristics of seismicity within the East Anatolian Fault System before the earthquakes of February 6, 2023, with magnitudes Mw = 7.8 and Mw = 7.5, over the time period between 1983 and 2022. The earthquake catalog from January 1983 to September 2023, created by Turkish Bogazici University KOERI, is used. Processing of the data is performed by the ZMAP 7.1 software used in the MATLAB environment. Events with a magnitude greater than 2.5 are considered in four time periods: 1983–1992, 1993–2002, 2003–2012, and 2013–2022, totaling 29,346 events. The b-value of the magnitude-frequency distribution of earthquakes (slope of the recurrence graph) is determined; the parameter β, indicative of the increase or decrease in the rate of anomalous seismicity, and parameter Z, associated with anomalous seismic quiescence, is evaluated. A significant decrease in the value of b (from 1.07 to 0.84) is observed when comparing the two periods (2013–2017/2018–2022), indicating accumulated stress in the Earth’s crust. Furthermore, the Z parameter analysis for the period July 2021 to December 2022 shows evidence of relative seismic quiet in the examined area compared to the period from January 2020 to the end of June 2021. Those results suggest that the spatiotemporal variations of the studied seismic parameters could serve as predictors of the two very strong seismic events in the southern part of the Eastern Anatolian region of Turkey.

Knowledge and opinions on natural disasters and disaster education of pre-service teachers who survived the 6 February earthquake in Turkey

Human-related events that occur in an unexpected time and affect people’s lives adversely are defined as natural disasters. Today, when we live in the age of technology, several regions are faced with natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods and hurricanes. Not different from various countries in the world, Turkey faces such natural disasters frequently. Especially the earthquake disaster of February 6, 2023, which affected a very broad area, caused many people to suffer. After the earthquake, several problems such as unemployment, need for education and shelter, and psychological traumas, especially among children, emerged. Although preventing natural disasters is not possible, it is a well-known fact that damages can be minimized through disaster education given in schools from an early age. It is of vital importance that Turkey, which is located in an earthquake zone, attaches more importance to disaster education and that students are educated on this subject from an early age, as in countries such as Japan, in order to reduce the disaster damages. Some action has been taken in this area in Turkey especially after the 1999 Marmara earthquake, but the recent major earthquake disaster has shown that more attention should be paid to disaster education. This study was carried out to determine the knowledge and opinions on disaster and disaster education of pre-service teachers who survided the earthquake in Turkey on February 6, 2023. The study group consisted of students studying in different departments of education faculties of universities. The structured interview form developed by the researchers was used as a data collection tool.

Newly developed site-specific response spectrum for site in Abbottabad city, Pakistan and its comparison with building code of Pakistan, 2021

Use of site-specific response spectrum has become an integral part of seismic hazard analysis to incorporate the effects of soil beneath the structure. Current study has been performed as a result of lesson learned from recent devasting Turkey earthquake of 6th February 2023, where design ground motions were greatly exceeded. This study presents development of site-specific response spectrum and its comparison with recently published building code of Pakistan, 2021. The results of this study indicate that mobilized shear strength of input motions increased along depth due to development of different shear strain in different soil layers which affected the shear modulus showing its resistance to deformation by exerted shear stress. Input bedrock motions with PGA of 0.31g amplified at the surface up to 0.36g as result of response from the soil profile used. After comparison with design spectrum of building code 2021, it is further validated that the development of site-specific response is underpinning when using design spectrum of BCP-2021 developed for return period of 475 years under currently used soil/site conditions.

Integrated study on buried pipelines, co-seismic landslides, and magnitude conversion for 2023 Türkiye earthquake

Türkiye is known for its intricate tectonic structure and high seismic activity, which makes in-depth research on earthquakes necessary. This research paper presents a multifaceted examination of earthquake impact in Türkiye, encompassing critical elements of seismic vulnerability with a special focus on the latest twin earthquake of February 6, 2023. Firstly, a three-dimensional finite element (FE) analysis has been conducted to explore the buried pipeline behavior under left-lateral strike-slip faults. Secondly, making use of the earthquake data from 1976 to 2023, a new Newmark displacement-based model has been proposed which predicts co-seismic landslide displacement. Finally, new magnitude conversion relations are developed in the generalized moment magnitude scale (Mwg) for Türkiye using three statistical regression techniques. The maximum tensile strain was found to be around 2.0% based on the findings of the 3D numerical study of an underground pipe that was subjected to left-lateral strike-slip fault movement. The proposed co-seismic landslide displacement model was developed based on moment magnitude, yield acceleration, and peak ground acceleration, which yields an R-squared value of 0.93. Outcomes of the magnitude conversion study depicted that the improved general orthogonal regression (IGOR) relationships developed in this study performed better than the other conventional methods of regression. Also, the proposed regional relations based on Mwg scale perform better than global relations as they provide closer values to the observed ones. By offering a comprehensive perspective on seismic impact, the research lays the groundwork for upgraded predictive methods and refined seismic design considerations. The proposed models and conversion relations contribute to the strengthening of critical infrastructures, providing a forward-looking approach to enhance preparedness and resilience against earthquake disasters in Türkiye.

How social capital operated in Turkey following the earthquakes of February 6, 2023

ABSTRACT This study explores the effects of social capital on the decisions of individuals in Turkey who experienced the earthquakes of February 6, 2023, to stay in the disaster area or move to another place during the recovery period. Qualitative research was conducted using an in-depth interview technique with 70 participants. The findings show that all three types of social capital (bonding, bridging, and linking) played a significant role in the recovery process for earthquake victims, but bonding social capital was particularly important in their relocation decisions. Additionally, this study reveals that bonding social capital acted as a buffer immediately after the earthquakes and effectively solved problems in the short term, but it was replaced by bridging and linking social capital in the medium term. Finally, negative impacts of social capital are shown to have occurred not only among immigrants but also among local people.

Development of a scale examining post-disaster coping motivations in Turkey after the 6 February earthquake.

The aim of this study was to develop the Motivations for Coping After Disaster Scale. To test the construct validity of the scale, a total of 676 data were collected from three different sampling groups (N1: 388; N2: 194; N3: 94). Exploratory Factor Analysis, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Criterion validity analysis were conducted to test the construct validity of the scale. As a result of CFA, it was seen that the post-disaster scale had a five-dimensional structure (spiritual values, hope, friend support, solidarity, family support). The loadings of the items of the scale are at a good level. As a result of CFA, the scale was found to have acceptable and good fit indices (χ2/sd=2.690; RMSEA (Root Mean Square Error of Approximation)=0.066; SRMR (Standardized Root Mean Square Residual)=0.047; CFI (Comparative Fit Index)=0.948; GFI (Goodness of Fit Index)=0.917). The results of the criterion validity analysis show that the scale has criterion validity. Cronbach Alpha internal consistency coefficient shows that the scale is highly reliable (Total=0.923). The results of this study show that the Post-Disaster Coping Motivations Scale is a valid and reliable instrument. It is thought that the scale can make an important contribution to understanding psychological recovery processes after disaster and providing appropriate support to individuals.

Prediction Results for the Strongest Earthquakes of February 6, 2023 in Southern Turkey

Prediction Results for the Strongest Earthquakes of February 6, 2023 in Southern Turkey

Damages Observed in Turkey Due to the Kahramanmaras Earthquakes of February 6, 2023

ABSTRACT On February 6, 2023, an Mw 7.8 earthquake occurred at an epicenter near Nurdağı, Turkey. The earthquake impacted 11 provinces in Turkey and Syria, resulting in significant casualties due to the total or partial collapse of many buildings. Approximately nine hours later, an Mw 7.5 induced second earthquake occurred with an epicenter near Ekinözü. In this paper, observed damages in structural and non-structural elements identified in some post-earthquake inspections are shown and discussed in detail. The study aims at spreading the acquired knowledge and underlining relevant aspects that might improve the performance of buildings under future seismic demands.

Earthquake “doublets” – case studies for Kresna-Kroupnik (Bulgaria-M7.8) and Gaziantep–Kahramanmaraş (Turkey-M7.8)

The devastating earthquakes (M7.8 and M7.5) on 6th February 2023 demonstrate the power of the nature and weakness and fragility of the human society. Affecting more than 20 million people in Turkey, the death poll reaches about 60 000 deaths and about three times more injured, 120 000 buildings destroyed and more than 60 billion economical losses in Turkey and Syria. This tremendous seismic event at the same time gave the possibility to study and extract the lessons learned and to prevent heavy consequences when next similar event occurred. Following the context of the specific behavior of the seismic process this event can be attributed to the terminology using the word “doubles” of such a combination of two very strong earthquakes occurred in close space and time window – near Gaziantep and Kahramanmaraş. The two strong earthquakes of 6th February demonstrated all peculiarities of the seismic process and its geophysical, seismological and social consequences. The similar effects have been observed also in 1904 in Bulgaria. On 4th of April, 1904 two very strong earthquakes (M7.2 and M7.8) occurred in a very close time and space domain. These seismic events can also be classified as a “doublet”. So the comparative analysis of such strong earthquakes can help to understand better the seismic process and the following risks for the population, infrastructure and the affected countries as a whole. This paper is targeted to the comparison of the case studies to the seismic doublets in Bulgaria and Turkey and their peculiarities with a focus on the seismic process, destructions, negative social consequences and the specifics if they exist and to extract knowledge which can be useful for the prevention of all possible negatives. The results obtained suggest that similar seismic events might have very different geophysical, seismological and social consequences due to the resilience and environmental peculiarities of the specifically affected sites.

Stock market response to natural disasters: Does corporate sustainability performance make difference?

This study aims to examine the short-term price reactions of the stocks listed on Borsa Istanbul (BIST) after the severe earthquake of February 6, 2023, that happened in the southeastern region of Türkiye covering 11 provinces and causing more than 50,000 fatalities. Using a sample of 450 companies listed on the BIST All Index, this study estimates the abnormal returns (ARs) of stocks by employing an event study methodology. Using BIST 100 companies as a sub-sample, this study also explores whether sustainability performance creates resilience against downside risk after the earthquake. The results of the market model and the mean-adjusted model show that on the event day, most of the sectors had negative and significant ARs, while only the non-metal mineral products had positive and significant ARs. Most of the sectors continued to decline in the following 10 days except basic metal and non-metal mineral products sectors. The telecommunications sector was the most negatively affected sector in both models after the event day as it has underperformed in ensuring uninterrupted access to communication. The findings also indicate that firms in the financial sector that have higher sustainability performance are more resilient in responding to the disaster.

February 6th, Kahramanmaraş earthquakes and the disaster management algorithm of adult emergency medicine in Turkey: An experience review.

This compilation covers emergency medical management lessons from the February 6th Kahramanmaraş earthquakes. The objective is to review relevant literature on emergency services patient management, focusing on Koenig's 1996 Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment (START) and Secondary Assessment of Victim Endpoint (SAVE) frameworks. Establishing a comprehensive seismic and mass casualty incident (MCI) protocol chain is the goal. The prehospital phase of seismic MCIs treats hypovolemia and gets patients to the nearest hospital. START-A plans to expedite emergency patient triage and pain management. The SAVE algorithm is crucial for the emergency patient secondary assessment. It advises using Glasgow Coma Scale, Mangled Extremity Severity Score, Burn Triage Score, and Safe Quake Score for admission, surgery, transfer, discharge, and outcomes. This compilation emphasizes the importance of using diagnostic tools like bedside blood gas analyzers and ultrasound devices during the assessment process, drawing from 6 February earthquake research. The findings create a solid framework for improving emergency medical response strategies, making them applicable in similar situations.

Islamic Coping, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Islam Oriented Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (IO-TF-CBT) in Post-Kahramanmaraş Earthquake Period

The Great Southeast Turkey Earthquakes (GSTE) of February 2023 were not only a physical disaster but also seem to have triggered the onset of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among survivors in Kahramanmaraş and surrounding areas. This review emphasizes the need for culturally appropriate clinical interventions in PTSD therapies, addressing the psychological impacts left by the earthquakes. The Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) models implemented after the 1999 Marmara earthquake failed to integrate cultural and Islamic thoughts effectively. With this critical perspective, the article advocates for a holistic healing process that integrates Islamic coping mechanisms with clinical psychology. The importance of religious and spiritual practices in PTSD recovery, especially reliance on Allah, patience, the concept of ummah, prayer, almsgiving, and belief in destiny, is highlighted. While analyzing the potential effectiveness of Islamic approaches in PTSD rehabilitation, the study criticizes the inadequacies of current clinical practices and advocates for the adoption of faith-integrated therapeutic strategies. It proposes a structured methodology for Islamic-Oriented TF-CBT that integrates spiritual practices with scientifically supported psychological interventions, highlighting the gaps in current practices. The aim is to bridge the gap between Islamic practices and clinical psychology, offering a treatment approach compatible with the religious values and traditions of the Muslim population affected by the GSTE. This critical perspective strengthens the call for progress towards cultural competency in mental health services, ensuring that PTSD treatments adapt to the diversity and complexity of earthquake victims. The article emphasizes the need to comprehensively address the psychological needs of individuals affected by the GSTE, particularly those battling PTSD. Recognizing PTSD as not only an individual disorder but also a societal issue, the study suggests that treatment processes should consider not only the individual but also the community. The importance of community-based interventions is highlighted, discussing the current shortcomings and areas for development in this field. In conclusion, the article underscores the significance of cultural sensitivity and community-based approaches in PTSD treatment, calling for more research and implementation in this area.

Earthquake victims in focus: a cross-sectional examination of trauma and management in intensive care unit

BackgroundAfter the Kahramanmaras earthquake of February 6, 2023, the disaster of the century, a significant number of victims were admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). In this study, we aimed to share the characteristics and management of critical earthquake victims and shed light on our experiences as intensivists in future earthquakes.MethodsThe study included 62 earthquake victims in two tertiary ICUs. Demographic characteristics, laboratory findings, clinical characteristics, trauma and disease severity scores, treatments administered to patients, and the clinical course of the patients were recorded retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups, survivors and nonsurvivors, according to 7-day mortality and into two groups according to the duration of their stay under the rubble: those who remained under the rubble for 72 hours or less and those who remained under the rubble for more than 72 hours. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the best cutoff value for the ‘Circulation, Respiration, Abdomen, Motor, and Speech’ (CRAMS) score.ResultsThe median age of the 62 patients included in the study was 35.5 (23-53) years. The median length of stay under the rubble for the patients was 30.5 (12-64.5) hours. The patient was transferred to the ward with a maximum duration of 222 hours under the rubble. The limb (75.8%) was the most common location of trauma in patients admitted to the ICU. Crush syndrome developed in 96.8% of the patients. There was a positive correlation between the development of acute kidney injury (AKI) and myoglobin, serum lactate, and uric acid levels (r = 0.372, p = 0.003; r = 0.307, p = 0.016; r = 0.428, p = 0.001, respectively). The best cutoff of the CRAMS score to predict in-7-day mortality was < 4.5 with 0.94 area under the curve (AUC); application of this threshold resulted in 75% sensitivity and 96.3% specificity.ConclusionSearch and rescue operations should continue for at least ten days after an earthquake. The CRAMS score can be used to assess trauma severity and predict mortality in critically ill earthquake victims.

Sustainable Consolidation of Churches that are historic monuments damaged by earthquakes

Historical buildings were built using local materials and technologies and suffered degradation of their structural elements over time due to abandonment, material degradation, unauthorised interventions or the action of extreme events such as earthquakes. In Romania, there are many historic buildings seriously damaged by earthquakes, which during the communist period were abandoned or strengthened through irreversible interventions with reinforced concrete. In recent years, historic buildings have begun to be consolidated, respecting the principles of sustainability, using mortars with hydraulic lime and composite materials. The article presents sustainable and reversible retrofitting solutions used for the consolidation of historical Orthodox churches in the Gorj area, Romania, severely damaged by the earthquakes of February 2023.

An Example Of Mass Movements Caused By The Kahramanmaraş Earthquake Of February 6: Tepehan Landslide

6 Şubat 2023 tarihinde, Doğu Anadolu Fay Zonu (DAFZ) üzerinde Yaklaşık 9 saat ara ile meydana gelen depremler sonucunda çok sayıda can ve mal kayıpları yaşanmış, yollar, köprüler zarar görmüş farklı türde (heyelan, kaya düşmesi, çamur akması) binlerce kütle hareketi meydana gelmiştir. Hatay’ın Altınözü ilçesine bağlı Tepehan köyünde Neojen yaşlı kumtaşı, killi kireçtaşı, kiltaşı ve marnlardan oluşan birim içerisinde gelişen heyelan 12.000 metrekarelik bir alanı etkilerken, 180.000 metreküpten fazla bir malzeme deprem sırasında oluşan heyelanla yer değiştirmiştir. Bu kadar büyük bir kütlenin yer değiştirmesinde depremlerin büyüklüğü yanında insan faaliyetleri de etkili olmuştur. Heyelanın meydana geldiği sahada Drone ile enine ve boyuna %70 bindirmeli sütunlar oluşturacak şekilde dijital görüntüler çekilmiştir. Bu görüntüler Agisoft yazılımında işlenmiş 60cm x 60cm piksel çözünürlükte Dijital Yüzey Modeli (DSM) ve Orto fotolar üretilmiştir. Heyelanın farklı yerlerinden alınan toprak numuneleri analiz edilerek genel toprak özellikleri belirlenmeye çalışılmıştır. Tepehan heyelanı depremlerin kütle hareketlerini (heyelanları) tetiklediği gerçeğinin somut bir örneği olması dışında yerleşim alanlarının doğal tehlikelere karşı (kütle hareketleri) güvenli hale getirilmesinde heyelanların izlenmesi ve haritalanmasının önemini bir kez daha göstermiştir. Depremlerin etkileri değerlendirilirken kütle hareketleri de dikkate alınmalıdır. Bu şekilde daha gerçekçi bir değerlendirme yapılabilir ve koruyucu önlemler daha etkili bir şekilde alınabilir.

Traditional Foraged Spice, Sauce, and Egg-Painting Plants of Hatay, Türkiye: Bringing the Traditional into Commerce

In the province of Hatay in Turkey, which has been added to the UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy list in recent years and has made significant progress in gastronomy tourism, answers were sought to the following questions: What kinds of change have these developments caused in traditional foraging spice/sauce uses? In the 21st century, is it still possible to introduce new herbal products from the wild into agriculture? What effects does the multi-ethnic structure have on the traditional use of spices/sauces/food coloring plants? How have the uses of spices and sauces changed over the years? In addition, what level of spice/sauce variety was obtained by foraging in this Eastern Mediterranean province? Some spices, e.g., Thymbra spicata, which were supplied by foraging, have started to be obtained through agriculture due to the increasing demand following the city's entry into the UNESCO gastronomy cities list, and have become an important income source for the city. These plants, which are brought into agriculture from the local flora, are also important as alternative agricultural products that can be easily grown with minimum agricultural input in the climate and therefore water crisis conditions our world is facing. Some unique plant usages presented here, e.g., egg painting plants used by spring fests of various ethnoreligious populations, show how different ethnoreligious populations can affect each other when living in harmony for centuries. &#x0D; Hatay was the province that suffered the most destruction in the earthquake of February 6, 2023. We hope that this article, written just before the earthquake, will provide socio-economic guidance in the rebuilding of the city.

Social Service Practices In Disaster: 6 February Earthquake Hatay Case

Hatay, one of the provinces most affected by the major earthquakes that occurred on February 6, 2023, was the area most impacted by the event. Immediately following the disaster, to recover from the effects of the earthquake and alleviate its negative impacts, social workers flocked to the region and implemented many social service practices. Social work practices are of critical importance in terms of accelerating the healing processes for the people of the region. In the study, the activities of social workers were evaluated using a case study approach. The aim is to reveal the effectiveness of social work practices from the perspective of social workers working in the earthquake response. Such an approach both supports and guides policy makers and decision makers in establishing new living conditions in the region and reveals the issues that need to be taken into account for future activities. Within the scope of the research, interviews with 30 social workers were analyzed. The results demonstrated that social work practices are extremely important in eliminating social damage in the post-earthquake period; however, human resources should be developed and increased in terms of quality and quantity, and financial and physical resources should be provided for social work practices.