The two devastating earthquakes that struck southeastern Türkiye on February 6, 2023, with magnitudes of 7.7 and 7.6, showed us how natural events can turn into catastrophic disasters. These earthquakes underscored the need to reassess Türkiye’s existing earthquake preparedness strategies, building codes, and emergency response plans. They also highlighted the necessity of adopting stronger policies in disaster management, urban resilience, and sustainable development. The February 6 earthquakes, more than just an instantaneous natural event, entered Turkish history as a societal trauma that requires years of recovery. Tens of thousands of people lost their lives, and many more were injured. Thousands of buildings were reduced to rubble or heavily damaged. In the aftermath, hundreds of thousands were left homeless. Many were forced to migrate outside the region, having lost their homes and businesses. Those who remained in the area faced an urgent need for shelter, leading to the creation of tent cities and container cities. Yet, the need for housing persisted long after the earthquakes. Nearly two years later, many people are still living in container cities, waiting for incomplete homes or unable to move into finished housing.
Among those who live in container cities, a group whose struggles remain largely unnoticed and underrepresented are the women and children. These women, who have been directly affected by the earthquakes, face various challenges in the confined living spaces of containers, particularly those with young children. In-depth interviews with ten women, aged between 20 and 40, each with at least one child, living in three different container cities in Adıyaman, reveal common traumas, psychological struggles, and the daily fight for survival. While some women experienced the earthquake directly and bear its psychological scars, others were forced to start anew in a city turned to rubble due to their spouses’ job transfers, leaving them in uncertainty and insecurity. Each woman seeks a life that must be rebuilt, not only physically but also emotionally and socially.
“It’s like we’re living in separate rooms in a large house…”
- Psychological Struggles: In the post-earthquake period, both women and children feel trapped, not only due to their fear of tall buildings but also because of the psychological pressure within the container cities. The interviews highlighted their distrust of the stability of damaged buildings. Many women expressed hesitancy about moving into newly built housing, complicating their search for a safe living space. This fear and insecurity are connected not only to a sense of physical threat but also to the lasting effects of trauma. The psychological burdens caused by the earthquake hinder women’s return to normal life. This emphasizes the importance of post-disaster rehabilitation processes; providing safe, resilient, and peaceful living spaces is critical for both physical and psychological recovery. Support programs tailored to the needs of women, as well as societal solidarity, should be integral parts of this process. Nearly all of the women interviewed noted that the psychosocial support mechanisms offered immediately after the earthquake had disappeared and that they still desperately needed these services.
- Security Concerns: Women living in container cities between the ages of 20 and 40 emphasize that they do not feel safe in their surroundings and explain how security deficiencies negatively affect their daily lives. The lack of security guards at the entrance gates creates an oversight gap, and the proximity and constant openness of the doors to their one-room and kitchen containers make them feel that they have no private space. Women with young children mention that it is difficult to control their children as they do not understand the concept of personal space and tend to enter any open door they see. This situation creates both a physical and psychological threat, deepening the sense of insecurity for the women. While container cities provide temporary shelter, they further complicate the search for permanent security and peace.
- Lack of Privacy: One of the most significant problems affecting the daily lives of women is that container cities are built along roadsides. The constant visibility of passersby makes it difficult for women to move freely in their homes, leading to a constant fear of being watched. This results in the need to keep their curtains closed, especially for mothers with daughters who experience this anxiety more acutely. Moreover, issues in the shared laundry facilities exacerbate these concerns. Although there is supposed to be an orderly system, some people bypass the queue and interfere with others’ personal belongings. Women also reported incidents of theft in these areas. These negative experiences further call into question the safety of life in container cities, highlighting elements that threaten the psychological and social well-being of women.
- Climatic Conditions: Considering Adıyaman’s climatic conditions, where summer temperatures reach up to 50°C, the extreme heat in the summer months, exacerbated by the metal structure of the containers, significantly raises the indoor temperature. The power outages in the summer create major issues, both in terms of cooling down and maintaining daily life. The challenges faced by women increase in the winter months due to heavy rainfall and flooding, imposing significant physical and psychological burdens. Not being able to sleep in the containers due to power outages in the summer and the experience of floods in the winter have become distressing for the women. The phrase “we don’t want winter to come” reveals the depth of the negative experiences and uncertainties they face. In such climatic conditions, the design and management of container cities must be reassessed to provide safer and more livable environments. Taking into account the long-term effects of temporary housing solutions, it is essential to create resilient and sustainable structures.
- Health Problems: Women living in container homes state that the heating problems caused by power outages in winter have led to health issues such as colds, flu, asthma, and bronchitis in their children. Furthermore, these women reported that, at one point, the water from the taps was salty, chlorinated, and muddy, leading to serious health problems in their children, such as diarrhea and vomiting lasting 1 to 2 weeks. These adverse conditions not only affect physical health but also strain families’ psychological resilience, deepening the additional challenges of post-earthquake life. The lack of access to clean water and reliable heating becomes a significant threat to the health of women and children. Some women also reported suffering from scabies due to washing their clothes collectively. Another problem is the long-standing presence of garbage left in front of containers by some residents. These piles of garbage attract harmful animals such as rats, scorpions, snakes, and insects to the container cities. All these factors further complicate the search for a safe life, increasing the difficulties faced by women and children after the earthquake.
- Social Pressure: Women living in container cities complain about how societal pressure affects their daily lives. Many of them express frustration about not being able to dress as they wish, which diminishes their self-confidence and makes them feel restricted. Some even mention that their husbands interfere with their clothing due to societal pressure, which negatively affects family dynamics. Women feel judged by others, which causes them to adjust their behavior and constantly feel under scrutiny. They also point out that women exert pressure on each other due to stereotypes. Women who do not conform to social norms fear social exclusion or criticism from other women. This not only diminishes solidarity among women but also restricts their freedom of self-expression. Ultimately, life in container cities is shaped not only by physical challenges but also by psychological pressures, deeply affecting women’s social lives and individual identities.
- Domestic Violence: One of the biggest issues faced by families living in container homes is the increase in domestic violence. The loss of jobs and livelihoods among men after the earthquake emerges as a primary reason for arguments. Women note that most men do not want to return to the containers and spend most of their time with friends in open spaces. This weakens family bonds while increasing the burden on women. The situation is also grim for children. They express dissatisfaction with living in container cities and envy their friends who continue to live in their intact homes. This envy leads to aggressive behavior and psychological distress in children. Additionally, the close proximity of containers and the loud, unfiltered arguments heard by others exacerbate the psychological harm to children. These circumstances not only affect family dynamics but also cause significant emotional and physical damage. One woman tearfully described the helplessness and anger of an 8-year-old boy who learned that a neighboring family was moving into a new home. The boy pounded on the walls, shouting, “Why don’t we have a house?” His outburst reflected the depth of the trauma he had endured, with his frustration and envy symbolizing the absence not only of a home but also of a sense of security. Another mother recounted how her young daughter, while trying to pass the time in the container, longed for her lost home and asked, “This isn’t our home. When will we go home?” This question, alongside her innocence, revealed the deep anxiety and uncertainty the child was experiencing. The “home” in the child’s mind was not just a physical place; it was a dream of a secure, warm, and happy space. With each “when,” a weight grew in the mother’s heart, making it harder to cope with the uncertainty of the future. In that moment, the child’s words reminded the mother once again of the depth of loss and pain brought by the earthquake.
“Being a child in a container city means growing up in a world where dreams are confined to narrow walls, and longings are renewed every day. Even while playing, you grow up under the shadow of watching eyes, searching for a secure home.”
The earthquakes of February 2023, though physically occurring in southeastern Türkiye, left deep wounds across the entire country. This disaster, along with the challenges of unmet housing needs and prolonged residence in container cities, has had negative effects on both physical and mental health. For children in particular, these wounds are much deeper, threatening their emotional and social development. Building more resilient cities for future disasters and strengthening social support mechanisms are crucial for mitigating the negative impacts of such calamities. Interviews conducted in Adıyaman’s container cities underscored the vital importance of providing psychosocial support to families and individuals during this process. In this context, creating safe spaces for children, organizing group activities, and helping them express their emotions through artistic activities are critical in the early stages of recovery. Organizing creative activities that allow children to express themselves can enhance their emotional well-being. Moreover, offering educational programs and psychological support for parents can help them build healthier relationships with their children. This support plays an important role in helping children overcome challenges and strengthens family dynamics. Enhancing social solidarity can foster stronger social bonds, allowing children to feel more secure. Supporting women during this process contributes to both the economic and emotional empowerment of families and increases the overall well-being of society. In the long run, such support mechanisms form the foundation for building a more resilient and robust society.
