Turkey Earthquake 2023
“Unimaginable Devastation”
When one of the most powerful earthquakes in a century shook Turkey—leaving buildings flattened, families torn apart, and countless victims trapped or missing—ZAKA volunteers moved into action, embodying the organization’s unwavering commitment to saving lives.
Israeli teams, including the ZAKA International Rescue Unit, were among the first foreign responders to arrive in the hardest-hit areas. Equipped with specialized search-and-rescue gear, they worked day and night to locate survivors under immense piles of rubble. In subzero conditions and facing constant aftershocks, these volunteers combed through debris, sometimes in coordination with local responders, to rescue individuals still clinging to life.
For those whose lives could not be saved, ZAKA ensured that their remains were handled with dignity, in keeping with the organization’s fundamental values of honoring every victim. Whether it was reuniting families, aiding wounded survivors, or bringing closure to grieving loved ones, each mission was conducted with a deeply held respect for the sanctity of life.
