Individual Supports
Earthquake survivors engaged in agriculture and livestock, as well as those with elderly or disabled family members who faced challenges relocat…
Acute Phase
On February 6, 2023, at 04:17 and 13:24 UTC+3, two earthquakes with magnitudes of Mw7.7 and Mw7.6 struck Pazarcık and Elbistan districts of Kahramanmaraş, respectively.
On February 20, 2023, at 20:04 Turkish time, a Mw6.4 earthquake occurred with its epicenter in Yayladağı, Hatay.
Causing significant devastation across 11 provinces, this disaster has been unprecedented in terms of both intensity and scope in recent history.
As a result of these earthquakes, over 50,000 lives were lost, more than half a million buildings sustained damage, communication and energy infrastructure were disrupted, and significant material losses occurred.
The extensive radius of the earthquake-affected area and the impact on infrastructure and public administration made it challenging to gather accurate information from the region.
Polat Foundation arrived in the affected region on February 9, 2023, just days after the devastating earthquake, to support recovery efforts effectively. Working in collaboration with various institutions and organizations, the foundation collected critical data and deployed human resources and supplies to ensure accurate and uninterrupted aid reached those in need.
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On February 9, 2023, volunteers reached the earthquake zone in order to provide basic needs such as shelter, security, electricity and heating. Housing containers, generators, water tanks (18 tonnes) and hydrophores were allocated.
The emergency supplies and containers were placed in the designated area by Gemlik Municipality located in front of the İskenderun Primeall Shopping Center.
As sheltering needs increased more housing shower/WC containers were sent to the and region.
Personal care, hygiene products, child care, living supplies, food, and cleaning materials were being sent through out the following months as needs arose.
The housing containers, established as part of the emergency response efforts, were handed over to AFAD, which oversees all necessary monitoring and supervision responsibilities.
Earthquake survivors engaged in agriculture and livestock, as well as those with elderly or disabled family members who faced challenges relocating from their living spaces, were prioritized based on assessments. Containers were placed in safe areas near their destroyed or heavily damaged homes to meet their immediate needs. Additionally, on-site solutions were provided for WC and shower cabins to support survivors who had created their own living spaces. Communication with these survivors continues to ensure that their individual needs are addressed.
Other Projects
Polatköy, Samandağ
123 housing containers were delivered to the land allocated by AFAD (Hatay Province, Samandağ District, Karaçay Neighborhood, Parcel 25034, Lot 65).
Suna Polat Youth Center
After the acute phase of the earthquake, the Polat Foundation continued its commitment to supporting the affected communities by initiating a new social support-focused project.
Geleceğe Yeşil Işık Yak
“Geleceğe Yeşil Işık Yak” (Green Light for the Future) project, a collaboration between Polat Energy, Türkiye’s leading wind energy company, and Polat Foundation, was launched in December 2023.