From Social Solidarity to Individual Effort: The Disintegration of Social Solidarity After the Earthquakes of 6 February 2023

Abstract

This study explores changes in social solidarity after the 6 February 2023, earthquakes in Turkey, focusing on the most affected Turkish province, Hatay. Through semi-structured interviews with 30 earthquake survivors (19 women, 11 men) residing in a temporary container city, the research found that strong social solidarity networks initially accelerated victims' psychosocial and economic recovery. However, over time, these networks weakened, and individual efforts replaced collective action, slowing the recovery process. Contributing factors included reduced media coverage, growing public insensitivity, and systemic issues like aid distribution and reserve area policies, all of which hindered long-term solidarity.