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.