ENVIRONMENTAL AND INDIVIDUAL FACTORS AFFECTING EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS DECISIONS TO STAY IN OR LEAVE THE DISASTER AREA AND POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS: TURKIYE

The aim of this study is to investigate whether the earthquakes that occurred in Trkiye on 6 February 2023, centred in Kahramanmara, affected the disaster victims' staying in or leaving the region.The qualitative research approach was chosen for this investigation.The data were collected between June-July 2023 using a semi-structured interview form.The study was conducted with 42 people who directly experienced the earthquake disaster.In the analysis of the data, licensed MAXQDA 2022 qualitative data analysis software was used.The analysis of the data was carried out within the framework of the question "What are the factors affecting the preferences of people who have experienced the earthquake disaster to stay or leave the disaster area".As a result of the analysis of the data, three themes were formed about the reasons why earthquake victims stayed in the earthquake region, left the earthquake region and returned to the earthquake region.In the study, it was determined that factors such as family ties, cultural ties, religious beliefs, economic conditions, living standards, physical conditions, and the feeling of helping those living in the earthquake region affected the participants' decisions to stay in the earthquake region.In conclusion, this study reveals a wide range of factors affecting the migration of people from the earthquake region to other cities, such as housing shortage, psychological effects, economic difficulties and health problems.Therefore, it is thought that comprehensive disaster support programmes and emergency response strategies that take into account not only physical but also psychosocial needs should be developed.