It has been six weeks since the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Turkey destroyed more than 200,000 buildings and took nearly 50,000 lives. In the time since, millions of people who survived have not had much rest.
The United Nations Development Program estimates that 1.5 million people in Turkey are homeless. With nowhere else to go, people have turned empty trains and exhibition centers into temporary housing and shelters.

Brother’s Brother Foundation is working with the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey (DEIK) to help alleviate the nation’s housing shortage by purchasing 10 container homes in the town of Elbistan in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Each home is equipped with furniture and appliances needed to house a family of four, including a toilet, shower, refrigerator and washing machine. They will also be stocked with everyday necessities, such as towels, plates, cutlery and bed sheets.

BBF’s involvement helps implement a larger initiative led by the Turkish government to set up 115,000 container homes in 239 sites across the country. The homes funded by BBF will be located DIEK Town, a 20-acre piece of property expected to accommodate 1,000 container homes by the time construction concludes in April. The site will also have a health center, prayer room, playground and other shared amenities to help residents build a community and regain their sense of normalcy while they search for more permanent housing.

The containers are expected to provide earthquake victims with housing for at least the next 18 months. Once families relocate, the, temporary houses will be handed over to Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), which will use them to provide humanitarian aids following future disasters.

BBF’s work addressing Turkey’s homeless crisis has been aided with support from Food For the Poor. BBF is also partnering with Carnegie Mellon University’s Turkish Student Society and Turkish Alumni Organization to raise money and further support the program.