Construction has begun on a new primary school in Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye, marking a significant step in the region’s ongoing recovery from the devastating earthquakes of February 2023.
Almost 60,000 people lost their lives in the earthquakes, with hundreds of thousands of buildings destroyed across Türkiye and Syria. Kahramanmaraş was one of the areas most badly affected.
A foundation-laying ceremony held this week was attended by local officials and approximately 200 prospective students who hope to attend the school when it opens this September.
The two-story, 16-classroom facility in the Kayabaşı neighbourhood of Dulkadiroğlu borough represents the final phase of Halalbooking’s €200,000 earthquake rebuilding appeal.
The travel company has been working closely with charity partner Islamic Relief, who has been on the ground from the beginning, offering support and assistance to those affected by the earthquakes.
Over two years after the earthquakes, many communities in the affected regions continue to face challenges in rebuilding infrastructure and addressing the psychological trauma experienced by residents.
Work on the new building
The project is funded through donations from HalalBooking customers, matched by the company.
Halalbooking’s Chief Marketing Officer Ufuk Seçgin, who was at the foundation laying ceremony, said: “It was extremely moving to be at the site of the school and witness the first steps towards construction of this momentous project. As soon as I heard about the terrible earthquakes, I knew that we had a duty to do something to help those affected. Alhamdullilah, thanks to the generosity of our customers and the hard work of our partner Islamic Relief, today we have been able to take an important step towards improving the lives of local children and their families,” said
“It is humbling for me to meet local people and community leaders today and hear their experiences of the destruction, which is still having such a deep and ongoing effect on their community. We are very grateful for their support with this project and delighted to have the opportunity to play a role in building a future for the children of the area..”
Islamic Relief has been on the ground from the beginning, offering support and assistance to those affected. They are overseeing the delivery of this ambitious project. Phase one saw the building of new homes for 5 Syrian families.
Islamic Relief founder Dr Hany El-Banna said he was delighted to have been able to attend the ceremony.
Islamic Relief’s UK Deputy Director Zia Salik added: “Islamic Relief has been here supporting the community from the beginning, on their long road to recovery, helping local families to rebuild their lives. Today’s ceremony marked a significant step in our commitment towards supporting the education of children in this area. The gift of education allows them to create a brighter future, not only for themselves but also for their families and their community.”
