According to the Turkish Prime Ministry's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), 50 million people in Turkey live in areas with earthquake risks. That is, two thirds of the country's population.
Of these 50 million people, 33 million live in regions with high earthquake risk; roughly 23 million people live in areas with a low earthquake risk. The assessment also revealed that 10 million buildings are situated in these high risk areas.
The Asia Insurance Review reported: "Turkey has taken several measures to mitigate the risk of earthquakes such as compulsory earthquake insurance and campaigns to raise public awareness about quakes. More important, the government is carrying out urban transformation. Old, crumbling buildings across the country are being demolished to make way for new earthquake-proof buildings."
