"Azerbaijani Quarter" in Türkiye’s Kahramanmaraş set to open shortly

The official opening of the "Azerbaijani Quarter" in Türkiye’s earthquake-hit Kahramanmaraş is scheduled for June 19, Shamil Ayrim, head of the Türkiye-Azerbaijan Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group said.

"Azerbaijan undertook the reconstruction of the destroyed neighbourhood, which has become a symbol of growing friendship and solidarity between the two brotherly countries," Ayrim said in a comment to local media, Caliber.Az reports. 

Following the devastating earthquake in February 2023, Azerbaijan swiftly mobilised aid and resources under the directive of President Ilham Aliyev to support the recovery of the brotherly nation.

Presidents of Azerbaijan and Türkiye, Ilham Aliyev and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, are expected to attend the inauguration ceremony.

In February 2023, Türkiye’s Kahramanmaraş province was struck by a catastrophic Mw 7.8 earthquake, followed nine hours later by a powerful Mw 7.5 aftershock. These devastating events caused widespread destruction across Kahramanmaraş and neighbouring provinces, resulting in the collapse of hundreds of thousands of buildings. The human toll was staggering: over 50,000 lives were lost, around 100,000 people were injured, and millions were left homeless. This disaster ranks among the deadliest and most severe earthquakes in modern Turkish history.

In response to this humanitarian crisis, Azerbaijan has committed significant resources to aid the long-term recovery of the affected communities. The Azerbaijani government has initiated the construction of a new residential district, named “Azerbaijani Quarter,” specifically designed to provide durable housing and essential services for those displaced by the disaster.

By Sabina Mammadli