In the aftermath of the 7.7 and 7.6 magnitude earthquakes centered in the Pazarcık and Elbistan districts, construction of housing units for those affected by the disaster has begun in stages. Out of a total of 36,174 housing units tendered in the city, 18,157 are located in the Ikizce neighborhood of the Yeşilyurt district, where earthquake survivors have started to move into their new homes after receiving the keys. So far, 2,219 survivors have received the keys to their new homes in Ikizce.
Survivor Sema Özgür, who lost her home in the earthquake, expressed gratitude for the new housing units, stating that the apartments are earthquake-resistant and even withstood a recent 5.9 magnitude earthquake without any damage. She recounted the difficult times spent in a tent and then in a container after the earthquake, but now feels relieved after moving into a proper home.
Özgür thanked the officials for providing them with this opportunity and expressed her contentment with the new home, highlighting the comfort and amenities the house provides. She eagerly awaits the possibility of hosting the President if he visits Malatya, emphasizing the significance of the government’s efforts in rebuilding their homes and enabling them to start anew.
Encouraging fellow residents who moved away after the earthquake to return, Özgür assured them of the quality and safety of the new housing units, stating that she didn’t even feel the recent 5.9 magnitude earthquake in her new home. She emphasized the importance of being back in their hometown and enjoying the benefits of the newly constructed earthquake-resistant houses.
Another survivor, Nuran Yazgan, also shared her experience of losing her home in the earthquake, living in a container for about 1.5 years, and eventually receiving a new home through a lottery. Yazgan expressed her gratitude towards the President and ministers for the new comfortable and well-lit home, referring to it as her “palace”. She appreciates the light and spaciousness of the new house compared to her previous dark and old home, stating that she is very happy and satisfied with her new living space.
Yazgan’s positive experience with the new housing units mirrors that of many earthquake survivors in the region, who have been able to leave behind the hardships of temporary shelters and containers to settle into more stable and comfortable homes. The efforts of the government in providing secure and modern housing options for those affected by the disaster have been widely appreciated, with survivors expressing gratitude and contentment with their new living arrangements. The completion of the housing units signifies a crucial step towards recovery and rebuilding in the earthquake-affected areas, offering a sense of hope and renewal to the survivors as they move forward with their lives.
