The delegation of the Presidency's Directorate of Communications met with international press members in New York during their visit themed "disaster diplomacy."
Permanent Representative of Türkiye to the UN Sedat Önal, New York Consul General Reyhan Özgür, Deputy Director of Communications Assoc. Prof. Çağatay Özdemir, AFAD General Director of Earthquake and Risk Reduction Prof. Orhan Tatar, Members of the Presidential Security and Foreign Policy Council Prof. Çağrı Erhan and Prof. Nurşin Ateşoğlu Güney attended the meeting at Türkevi.
Ambassador Önal expressed gratitude for the international community's solidarity with Türkiye after the earthquakes that struck Kahramanmaraş on February 6.
Pointing out that international assistance should continue given the magnitude of the earthquakes, Önal said, "This is a very extensive recovery process. We are making every effort at the national level and will continue to do so. However, international assistance is significant. Incoming assistance will also be shared transparently."
Presidency's Deputy Director of Communications Özdemir stated that combating disinformation is also significant in times of natural disasters.
"It is not possible for countries to respond to natural disasters on their own"
Member of the Presidential Security and Foreign Policy Council Erhan also thanked the international community for its solidarity with Türkiye right after the earthquakes.
Erhan said that the delegation of the Presidency's Directorate of Communications held bilateral contacts in Washington and New York, as well as many panels, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in natural disasters.
Erhan highlighted that 90 countries sent assistance to Türkiye in the first 24 hours following the earthquakes and said, "As President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has stated, it is not possible for countries to respond to natural disasters on their own."
Pointing out that Türkiye plays a leading role in humanitarian aid, Erhan said, "Türkiye can serve as a pioneer for countries wishing to provide humanitarian aid regardless of ethnicity, religion, or region. Now we must make efforts to save more lives by changing our attitudes."
"Natural disasters know no borders"
Member of Presidential Security and Foreign Policy Council Güney indicated that Turkish people appreciated the international community's solidarity in the aftermath of the tragic earthquakes.
Güney emphasized the importance of cooperation in dealing with threats, stating that NATO, the United Nations, and the European Union stand with Türkiye.
Güney said, "Natural disasters know no borders. Soft security threats have multiple faces. Pandemics, droughts, and floods know no borders; we all face the same threats. This is why we must act in cooperation and coordination for a successful struggle."
AFAD General Director of Earthquake and Risk Reduction Tatar noted that the first earthquake lasted about 2 minutes and the second one lasted 65 seconds.
Tatar stated that earthquakes cause additional problems, such as landslides, and that 200 thousand people are already working in disaster zones.
Tatar said that food is provided daily to approximately 4 million people and that approximately 750 thousand tents have been set up in 11 cities, with measures taken to ensure hygiene.
"As part of AFAD's 'Let My Home Be Your Home' campaign, approximately 4,000 families shared their homes with earthquake victims," Tatar explained.