It was an empty land where animals grazed, which became a living center with the earthquake housing built in 8 months.

In the Kumlu district of Hatay, which was struck by the earthquake, residents have begun to live in 303 earthquake houses consisting of 26 blocks built by TOKI in 8 months. The houses, which transformed from a vacant land where animals were grazed into a living center in just 8 months, have brought joy to the citizens.

In the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş, thousands of buildings were destroyed in Hatay, and nearly 25,000 people lost their lives. To heal the wounds of the region, the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization quickly started the construction of disaster housing. The Kumlu district was severely affected by the disaster of the century, with many houses destroyed. As part of the revitalization efforts conducted in the district center, citizens have begun to live in the 303 earthquake houses consisting of 26 blocks built in 8 months. The houses, where teams worked day and night in a 24/7 manner, have become the new homes of the rightful owners. The transformation of the land, which was previously a grazing area for animals, was captured by a drone camera. The change in the living space, shown before and after with the drone, was impressive.

“Building a living space consisting of 26 blocks on a completely empty land has been a source of happiness for us.”

Construction Engineer Abdullah Can Çetin stated that they established a new living area in a site style by constructing 303 houses consisting of 26 blocks, saying, “In the earthquake zone, we have been working hard for 8 months with my teammates so that people can move from tents and containers to their homes, and we have delivered their houses to the rightful owners. We worked 24 hours a day. Our work was carried out at a high pace in morning and evening shifts. People have returned to their homes, and we are happy about this. Here we have 303 houses consisting of 26 blocks. We have delivered all 303 houses. Life has started here. People have moved in their belongings. Seeing this makes me happy. After working intensely here, it makes us very happy to see this joyful day. Before the earthquake, this place was a completely flat land. Then we drove the stakes and laid the foundations. We progressed rapidly. Building a living space consisting of 26 blocks on a completely empty land has been a source of happiness for us. A new living area has been established, complete with parks, basketball courts, fitness areas, and playgrounds.”

“It was a completely empty land as far as the eye could see, but now everywhere is lit up at night.”

Experiencing the joy of returning to his home, Bestami Alkış stated that their new houses are very beautiful and exceeded expectations, saying, “We have a 3 + 1, 106 square meter house. This place was a pasture where citizens grazed their animals before the earthquake. Our government decided to build houses here due to the earthquake. It was a completely empty land as far as the eye could see, but now everywhere is lit up at night. There are facilities here that are not available in other cities. This place was previously completely empty, and it was impossible to enter when it rained. It was boggy, but now when it rains, it doesn’t even become a swamp; there’s no water. We have drinking water and electricity. The infrastructure is perfect.”

“If I had waited until my age, I would never have seen such a beautiful house.”

Meryem Alkış, who was making keşkek in her new kitchen, said, “I really like the house and the rooms are perfect. It’s very beautiful, cool, airy, and has a view all around. I’m making keşkek in the kitchen today. We have a wedding. We have guests. We are preparing for the evening. Everyone likes my house and is bringing gifts. God bless our government. If I had waited until my age, I would never have seen such a beautiful house.”