Earthquake victims in Turkey’s second largest construction site are experiencing the excitement of returning to their warm homes.

In Hatay, the Dikmece earthquake housing, where 6,049 workers are employed and built on an area of 3 million 76 thousand square meters, is the second largest construction site in Turkey. In the Dikmece earthquake housing constructed by TOKİ, the rightful owners of 3,830 of the 10,335 disaster housing units have been determined.

The earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş caused great destruction in 11 provinces, and thousands of homes were destroyed in Hatay. With the intense efforts shown by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change after the earthquake, the construction of disaster housing began in the areas affected by the disaster. In Hatay, where the wounds of the earthquake are being healed, there are currently a total of 158,200 independent units for which tenders have been made, construction has begun, and keys have been delivered to the rightful owners. The rightful owners of 26,260 of these homes were determined through lotteries, and citizens have started living in their warm homes as of the anniversary of the earthquake. The Dikmece earthquake housing in the Antakya district, which is the second largest construction site in Turkey, is built on an area of 3 million 76 thousand square meters, employing 6,049 workers. In the Dikmece earthquake housing, which consists of 10,335 houses in 608 blocks across 8 phases, the rightful owner of 3,830 houses has been determined. Hatay Governor Mustafa Masatlı, who has been at the forefront of the recovery efforts in the region since he took office, also inspected the Dikmece earthquake housing and made a statement.

“We have determined the rightful owner of the 26,260th housing unit with the presence of our President”
Governor Mustafa Masatlı stated that one of the largest disasters in mainland history occurred on February 6 and that there are 175,052 rightful owners in Hatay, saying, “We experienced one of the largest disasters in mainland history. The earthquakes on February 6 and thereafter have entered the literature as an earthquake that changed the image, and we have created the largest rightful ownership in the history of the Republic in Hatay. 175,052 rightful owners have been established, and out of these, 136,639 are housing rightful owners. Under the leadership and direction of our President, we have started the largest recovery operation in the world. As of now, the construction of 158,200 independent units has been completed, is ongoing, or has been tendered. We have determined the rightful owner of the 26,260th housing unit in the presence of our President,” he said.

“A large satellite city is being formed right next to our city”
Providing information about the Dikmece earthquake housing, Governor Masatlı stated that 10,335 houses are being built in the area, saying, “This area you see has an area of more than 3 million square meters, consisting of 8 different phases and a total of 10,335 houses in 608 blocks. So far, we have identified the rightful owners of 3,830 independent units related to this area. Our constructions are actively ongoing. A large satellite city is being formed right next to our city.”

“Buildings capable of withstanding a 9 magnitude earthquake are being constructed”
Governor Masatlı highlighted that the earthquake housing is built to withstand the intensity of a severe earthquake, stating, “We are paying special attention to soil studies, and we are very careful about soil strengthening. The foundations are being constructed as raft foundations, and other floors are being added. After this, hopefully, we will not face any adverse natural disasters. However, our buildings are being constructed to be capable of withstanding a 9 magnitude earthquake. Our citizens can rest assured; we will settle them into their homes as soon as possible, and we will have erased the traces of the earthquake,” he expressed.

“I found my house very beautiful, it feels like I’m in a dream”
Mehmet Cuma Kaya, who lost his house in the earthquake and is excited to have a new home, said, “I found my house very beautiful, it feels like I’m in a dream. I couldn’t imagine or design such a house, so I am very happy. We were the first to settle.”

“When I received the key, I felt like I was flying like a bird because I finally have a home”
Fatma Kaya expressed her gratitude to those who contributed to the construction of the earthquake housing, saying, “It’s very beautiful, may my Lord be pleased. I am grateful a thousand times for this. We stood up suddenly after the earthquake, and I thank God a thousand times. I didn’t even dream of such a house. Our dreams have come true; we have a home now. When I received the key, I felt like I was flying like a bird because I finally have a home. I thank everyone who contributed a hundred thousand times; may my Lord be pleased.”