Rebuilding Livelihoods: Lessons Learned from CORE’s Small Business Recovery Program in Turkey after the 7.7 Magnitude Earthquake

The devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria on February 6, 2023, caused immense infrastructure damage and left communities in ruins. Over 108,000 individuals were injured, more than 50,000 deaths, and around three million people were displaced. Not only did the disaster affect the local population but also disrupted the lives of the 3.5 million Syrian refugees already residing in Turkey, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

In response to this disaster, CORE swiftly mobilized within a week to assess and address the critical needs of the affected communities. Working in collaboration with the Turkey Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), the Ministry of Family and Social Services, and local NGOs YSYD and IHSAN Relief and Development (IHSAN), CORE provided essential assistance to those in need. The organization’s preferred modalities of response, such as Cash and Voucher Assistance, were utilized to ensure efficient and effective aid delivery. Immediate relief efforts included distributing food vouchers, ready-to-eat meal kits, hygiene kits, and kitchen sets to those affected. Additionally, CORE implemented one of the first early recovery initiatives by providing business grants and training to small businesses in Hatay Province, aiming to support local entrepreneurs in rebuilding their livelihoods.

This learning brief focuses on the lessons learned from CORE’s small business recovery support program that assisted 58 business owners in Hassa Business Park from May 15 to September 30