Two earthquake cities, two different pictures: Malatya looks to Hatay

The reconstruction mobilization continues at full speed in Malatya and Hatay, two of the provinces most severely affected by the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş. Under the coordination of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and TOKİ, completed housing units are being delivered to beneficiaries in stages, providing safe and permanent living spaces for earthquake victims. While the activity in Hatay draws public attention, the difference in the number of independent sections delivered between the two cities has sparked criticism. According to ministry data, a total of 81,071 independent sections, including 63,615 apartments, 13,366 rural village houses, and 4,090 workplaces, have been allocated to beneficiaries in Malatya through lot draws. As attention turns to Hatay, one of the cities with the most destruction, a total of 153,755 apartments, village houses, and workplaces have been completed and delivered to beneficiaries in the city. This situation further highlights the gap between the two cities.

In the period following the earthquakes, the efforts in Malatya and Hatay stand out as part of the government's post-disaster recovery policies. In addition to housing, the reconstruction of infrastructure, schools, hospitals, and other social facilities continues in both cities. However, the fact that the number of independent sections delivered in Hatay is nearly double that of Malatya has led to various interpretations in the public. Some experts attribute this difference to the varying intensity of destruction and the different building stocks of the cities, while others point to inequality in resource distribution. Earthquake victims are calling for the process to be accelerated and for all beneficiaries to receive their homes as soon as possible.

In Malatya, many new residential areas have been created in the city center and districts as part of post-earthquake efforts. In addition to the housing built by TOKİ, village house projects have also been implemented in rural areas. However, there are still earthquake victims living in container cities in the city. Authorities have announced that they aim to deliver homes to all beneficiaries by the end of the year. Restoration of historical structures destroyed in the earthquake and urban transformation projects are also ongoing in Malatya. In the city's reconstruction process, priority is given to building earthquake-resistant and modern structures.

Hatay is one of the provinces most heavily affected by the earthquakes. Due to the massive scale of destruction, reconstruction efforts are also intensive. According to ministry data, 153,755 independent sections have been delivered in Hatay to date. This number is nearly double that of Malatya. In Hatay, container cities were established to meet the temporary shelter needs of earthquake victims, and efforts to move residents to permanent housing have been accelerated. Projects are also underway to restore the historical and cultural heritage of the city. Hatay's post-earthquake recovery process has become a closely watched issue both nationally and internationally.

The difference between the two cities is not limited to housing numbers. Geographical, demographic, and economic differences between Malatya and Hatay also affect the reconstruction process. While Malatya is more prominent in agriculture and industry, Hatay is an important center for tourism and trade. Various incentives are being implemented to stimulate economic recovery in both cities after the earthquake. However, the biggest expectation of earthquake victims is to obtain safe and sturdy homes as soon as possible. Authorities state that work continues as planned in both cities and will be largely completed by the end of the year. The public demands that the process be carried out transparently and that the grievances of all earthquake victims be addressed.