Main content

Turkey earthquake: What is the future for young people?

With Turkey already struggling economically even before the disaster, students are facing a difficult decision - leave and start again or stay and help rebuild?

As the rescue and recovery effort from the devastating earthquake continues, young people who survived are making tough decisions about the future.

With Turkey already struggling economically even before the disaster, do they leave and start again in a new region, or a new country? Or stay and help rebuild?

Victoria Craig travels to Ankara where she meets Berkay, a second year design student from Gaziantep, one of the most badly affected cities. He drove for 12 hours with his family to reach the Turkish capital. He says he's not sure what the future holds, and he is considering moving to another European country.

Roger Kelly is the lead regional economist for Turkey at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. He explains how youth unemployment is a particular challenge for southern Turkey, and says it's difficult to say whether people who have been displaced will return when areas are rebuilt.

And Professor G眉ne艧 A艧谋k from TOBB Economics and Technical University says students affected by the earthquake might not find it that easy - they might have to drop out of university to support their families.

Produced and presented by Victoria Craig. Additional production by Anil Erg谋n.

(Image: A rescue centre in Ankara. Credit: Getty Images)

Available now

18 minutes

Last on

Thu 16 Feb 2023 08:32GMT

Broadcast

  • Thu 16 Feb 2023 08:32GMT

Podcast