The social dimension of ‘natural disasters’ reveals that for a hazard to become a crisis that evolves into a disaster, a series of events must ensue to orchestrate the devastating outcome, thus supporting Vigh’s (2008) argument to view ‘crisis as context’ rather than ‘crisis in context’ .
Cannon’s assertion that “a disaster is the impact of a natural hazard upon vulnerable people” (p.22, 1994), manifested in the aftermath of the high-magnitude earthquakes which struck southern Turkey in February 2023.
Claiming the life of over 50,000 people (HRW, 2024), the impact of these earthquakes was exacerbated by buildings which did not meet the structural codes of the earthquake-prone area despite the government’s long history of collecting ‘earthquake tax’ and supposedly imposing strict regulations on construction companies (Monks, 2023).
Due to the catastrophic effects of the 1999 and 2011 earthquakes, it is important to recognise that human activity, particularly the negligence of those occupying governmental and regulatory roles, holds a large degree of responsibility for the consequences of this ‘natural disaster’ (HRW, 2024).
It is the surrounding corruption and lack of care for human life which has left many vulnerable and at higher risk to this man-made disaster.
Hannah Cassar holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Anthropology from the University of Malta, and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Humanitarianism, Conflict, and Development at the University of Bath.
She is a Research and Policy Officer with the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority, and also a council member of the Malta Anthropological Society, where she focuses on promoting research and awareness about anthropology, facilitating discussions and events that engage the public in anthropological topics and foster a greater appreciation for the discipline.