Natural disasters

collapsed building

Parents seek justice for children crushed in collapsed hotel during Turkish earthquake

In the year following catastrophic earthquakes in Turkey, the quest for accountability has been elusive. But a group of parents whose children died in a hotel collapse have brought a landmark criminal case to court.

Parents seek justice for children crushed in collapsed hotel during Turkish earthquake
Bharatiya Jain Sanghatana campus is currently home to about 400 students affected by natural disasters and other crises.

30 years after a devastating earthquake, this school in India continues a legacy of support for survivors

30 years after a devastating earthquake, this school in India continues a legacy of support for survivors
People affected by an earthquake camp outside their homes, in Moulay Brahim village, near Marrakech, Morocco, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. 

'Organizing chaos': Moroccans in Spain send aid convoys home after devastating earthquake

'Organizing chaos': Moroccans in Spain send aid convoys home after devastating earthquake
Three people prostrating in prayer on a mat. In the backdrop are mountains and a damaged ancient brick structure.

Tinmel — Morocco’s medieval shrine and mosque — is one of the historic casualties of the earthquake

Tinmel — Morocco’s medieval shrine and mosque — is one of the historic casualties of the earthquake
Antakya’s Uzun Çarşı, a historic covered bazaar, was partially destroyed during the Feb. 6 earthquakes. Workers have cleared much of the debris from walkways and shopkeepers have reopened, sometimes directly across from piles of rubble.

In Turkey’s hardest-hit province, earthquake survivors adapt to a life without buildings

In Turkey’s hardest-hit province, earthquake survivors adapt to a life without buildings
The ancient fishing village of Guet Ndar in Saint-Louis, Senegal.

An important fishing village in Senegal is on the verge of disappearing as sea levels rise

The former administrative capital of French West Africa, Saint-Louis in Senegal sits between the Senegal River and the Atlantic Ocean. Its highest point stands just 13 feet above sea level, and it gets waves from both fresh and seawater that have become a growing threat as water levels rise.

An important fishing village in Senegal is on the verge of disappearing as sea levels rise
people with boat

Parts of Iraq are drying up, impacting already vulnerable communities

​​​​​​​Iraq's Ministry of Water Resources has warned that the country is facing its worst water shortage in a century. It said 7 million people are experiencing reduced access to water. Shrinking water levels, rampant salinity and contamination have left communities with no choice but to migrate.

Parts of Iraq are drying up, impacting already vulnerable communities
volcano

El Fuego volcano erupts in Guatemala

​​​​​​​The El Fuego volcano in Guatemala spewed lava and ash over part of the country last week. Thousands evacuated the area, and many more were exposed to dangerous ash. 

El Fuego volcano erupts in Guatemala
building that was destroyed

Life returns to Antakya, a city nearly leveled by earthquakes in southern Turkey

​​​​​​​Two months after devastating earthquakes killed more than 57,000 people in Turkey and Syria, survivors are living in tent camps and shipping containers outside the ruins of their former homes. As mobile businesses and streetside kebab shops return to the city of Antakya, some people are determined to stay in their hometown to grieve and rebuild. 

Life returns to Antakya, a city nearly leveled by earthquakes in southern Turkey
A lab worker removes crane hoist from a load of rebar used to construct full-scale buildings and bridge spans that are then pushed to the limit in field tests.

This ‘earthquake lab’ is designing buildings to withstand natural disasters

At Spain’s Institute of Science and Concrete Technology, engineers are trying to find ways to keep buildings and bridges from falling down. The lab is getting attention after the deadly earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria in February.

This ‘earthquake lab’ is designing buildings to withstand natural disasters
People who lost their houses in the devastating earthquake, lineup to receive aid supplies at a makeshift camp, in Iskenderun city, southern Turkey, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023.

'Assad can't clean up his act with a natural disaster,' US Amb. to UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield says

After a catastrophic earthquake destroyed northwest Syria, assistance is slowly trickling in. It took a full week for the UN to strike a deal with the Syrian regime to open two additional crossings into the region. US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield talks with host Marco Werman about the situation.

'Assad can't clean up his act with a natural disaster,' US Amb. to UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield says
eathquake damage

Getting earthquake aid in Syria depends on where survivors live

More than a week after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit Syria, outside help has been slow to arrive. Parts of the country that have been impacted fall into two main categories: ones that are under government control and those that are not. In opposition-held areas relief has been almost nonexistent.

Getting earthquake aid in Syria depends on where survivors live
Zehra Kurukafa walks past a destroyed house in the village of Polat, Turkey, Feb. 12, 2023.

Turkey earthquake survivors face despair, as rescues wane

While stories of near-miraculous rescues have flooded the airwaves in recent days, tens of thousands of dead have also been found during the same period.

Turkey earthquake survivors face despair, as rescues wane
buildings collapsed in rubble

The geology behind the deadly earthquakes in Turkey and Syria

This corner of the globe sits at the intersection of three tectonic plates, including the Arabian Plate that’s moving northward into Europe. Pressure along the fault has been building, and when it finally released, it appears that an area nearly 120 miles long and 15 miles wide got displaced, unleashing the earthquake. 

The geology behind the deadly earthquakes in Turkey and Syria
Firefighters and rescue teams search for people in a destroyed building, in Adana, southern Turkey, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023.

How to support relief efforts in Turkey and Syria after deadly quakes

The earthquakes that hit southern Turkey and war-ravaged northern Syria on Monday have killed over 12,000 people, with the death toll expected to rise as rescue crews race against time to save people trapped beneath rubble.

How to support relief efforts in Turkey and Syria after deadly quakes