Director of Communications Altun: "On the road ahead, a difficult struggle awaits us. I hope my country will continue to benefit from the solidarity that has been expressed in the aftermath of the earthquakes."
The Presidency’s Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun published an article on the earthquake disaster that struck Türkiye as well as the international solidarity and aid that followed on the Euronews web site.
Director of Communications Altun noted in the article that on 6 February, the Republic of Türkiye faced a natural disaster that resulted in unprecedented devastation, and that massive twin earthquakes rocked Türkiye’s southern region impacted an area bigger than the size of Austria and affected more than 13 million people.
Under the leadership of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Turkish government mobilised every available resource at its disposal to the disaster zone, Director of Communications Altun wrote, and added that after a quick damage assessment, it became very clear that the scale of destruction was something that had never been seen before.
"The biggest rescue mission of all time"
Director of Communications Altun stated that the search and rescue teams, military personnel, security services and healthcare professionals were deployed to the earthquake-stricken areas in a rapid manner and that the highest levels of the government, including President Erdoğan in particular, quickly arrived at ground zero to oversee the state’s response.
Noting that with the vast expanse affected and many of our local emergency service people becoming earthquake victims themselves, the government quickly reached the decision that international assistance would be needed, Director of Communications Altun stated that for the first time, a level 4 alarm was sounded.
"In the early morning hours, after news of the devastating earthquakes spread across the world, Türkiye witnessed an unprecedented level of global support and solidarity. Offers of assistance and condolence messages came from many international institutions and countries. The huge outpouring of support was an important boost of morale for the Turkish people.
In the two-week period after the earthquakes hit, more than 80 countries sent approximately 10,000 search-and-rescue personnel to the disaster zone. This international coalition of rescue workers joined the more than 200,000 local emergency personnel on the ground to undertake the biggest rescue mission of all time. For the next 14 days, these brave rescue workers would go through the unstable rubble of concrete and steel, both risking their own lives while trying to save survivors. We witnessed firsthand, along with millions across the world on their television screens, as miracle after miracle happened.”
"There should be full confidence that our President will once again deliver on his word"
Director of Communications Altun emphasized that global solidarity had a direct and visible impact in saving thousands of lives.
Noting that with the search and rescue phase of the Turkish Government completed, they have shifted their full focus to relief, recovery, and rebuilding. Director of Communications Altun stated the following:
“With over a million of our citizens displaced, more than half a million buildings that need to be rebuilt and an estimated 100 billion dollars in damages, we have a monumental task ahead of us. Our number one priority has been to address the immediate needs of earthquake survivors, which include shelter, healthcare, food, money, and clothing. The Turkish government, with assistance from NGOs and the international community, has acted swiftly and decisively to meet these needs. Throughout this whole process, high-level government officials are constantly visiting the affected areas to ensure that earthquake survivors are getting the necessary support. We continue to heal our wounds together as a country as we start the long and arduous journey to full recovery. While the immediate needs of our people are being met, the major challenge ahead of Türkiye will be the rebuilding process. President Erdoğan has eased the concerns of earthquake survivors by pledging that their homes will be rebuilt in one year. If the Turkish government’s track record of keeping its promises of rebuilding homes after disasters in İzmir and Elazığ is an indicator, there should be full confidence that our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will once again deliver on his word."
"I know that during my country’s most difficult times, our friends stood by our side"
Director of Communications Altun noted that with a cost numbering in the tens of billions of dollars, the scale of the rebuilding initiative will be unprecedented, and he added that their government is prepared for this challenge and aims to build back better, stronger and safer.
"We aim to recover the earthquake-affected zones, make them stronger and safer," said Director of Communications Altun and continued:
"We have now marked the first month since Türkiye experienced the "Disaster of the Century". In this past month, I have witnessed more death and destruction than any man or country should be exposed to. I have also witnessed the resilience and unity of the Turkish people, the importance of global solidarity and the generosity of humanity. I know from experience that Türkiye has many allies across the world, and during my country’s most difficult times, our friends stood by our side. Türkiye expresses its gratitude to all the countries, international institutions and people of the world for their support."
Noting that Türkiye has been able to overcome many of the immediate challenges of the disaster, Director of Communications Altun said, "The road ahead is a journey where I hope my country will continue to benefit from the solidarity that has been expressed in the aftermath of the earthquakes."
Stressing that meetings, events and International Donors’ Conference to be held by the United Nations, European Union, and Organisation of Turkic States, Director of Communications Altun said, “The assistance that will be generated from these meetings will support our efforts to provide relief for the Turkish people.