Head of Communications Duran said, "We overcame this disaster not only through our technical capacity but also through our collective conscience and solidarity."
The Presidency's Head of Communications, Burhanettin Duran, delivered a speech at the "Construction of the Century: The Recovery Vision of a Strong Türkiye" panel organised by the Directorate of Communications, stating that the attendees had gathered to reflect on the past three years since that significant test, as well as to keep collective memory alive in the face of disasters and build a shared perspective on Türkiye's future.
Expressing his belief that this gathering represented the determination to move forward into the future without forgetting what had been experienced and to foster hope without setting aside grief, Head of Communications Duran recalled that exactly three years ago, on the morning of 6 February, the country faced one of the gravest challenges in its history following two major earthquakes centred in Kahramanmaraş.
Head of Communications Duran noted that this profound test deeply shook every segment of society; yet alongside pain, it also revealed solidarity, and alongside suffering, resilience.
Head of Communications Duran stated that the earthquakes, described as the “Disaster of the Century”, left deep scars across 11 provinces and directly affected the lives of 14 million citizens, noting, "More than 53,000 of our people lost their lives, and over 107,000 were injured as a result of the earthquakes. On this occasion, I once again pray for Allah's mercy upon our citizens who lost their lives. May their souls rest in peace in heaven. I also extend my wishes for patience and fortitude to our brothers and sisters who personally experienced this devastation and who had to lay their loved ones to rest."
"From the very first moment, our state mobilised all its resources and institutions on the ground"
Head of Communications Duran explained that major disasters do not produce destruction alone; they also lay bare, with utmost clarity, the character of a nation and the strength of its spirit of solidarity. "In this respect, the period following 6 February stands as a story of revival for Türkiye—one in which state–nation solidarity manifested itself in its strongest form," said Head of Communications Duran, adding:
"From the very first moment, our state mobilised all its resources and institutions on the ground. Our civil society organisations assumed their responsibilities without hesitation, with a profound sense of dedication. Our citizens, in turn, rushed to people's aid not only with what they possessed but also with their hearts, their prayers, and their hope. Together, we exerted extraordinary effort to reach one more life, to kindle hope at one more pile of rubble, and to remind one more disaster victim that they were not alone. Therefore, I must make this clear. We overcame this disaster not only through our technical capacity but also through our collective conscience and solidarity. This strong resolve and spirit of unity have been given an institutional framework through a lasting and inclusive process of reconstruction and recovery launched under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, which goes beyond temporary measures and is firmly grounded in lasting solutions."
"People-centred approach"
Head of Communications Duran noted that during this period, Türkiye achieved what was deemed impossible through the unity of the nation and the state, setting a new global benchmark with its people-centred approach. Emphasising that the process went far beyond merely replacing what had been destroyed, Head of Communications Duran said:
"This process represents the implementation, through public authority, of the principle consistently emphasised by our President—that no citizen should ever be left without support—and the assumption of the responsibility of 'protector of the unprotected'. The delivery of 455,000 housing units to our citizens stands as one of the most tangible manifestations of it. Through reconstruction and revitalisation efforts, cities that suffered severe damage are today acquiring entirely new standards and a renewed outlook. All of these changes are not limited to physical reconstruction alone. It also signifies the restoration of social justice, economic resilience, and social recovery. Our Minister of Environment, Urbanisation, and Climate Change, Murat Kurum, who has closely monitored the efforts in the region and taken on significant responsibilities in this regard, will provide a comprehensive overview of the matter."
Disaster communication
Head of Communications Duran stated that the disaster and its aftermath once again demonstrated the true significance of a strong communication environment centred on truth.
Noting that they have made and continue to make intense efforts to establish a healthy communication environment, Head of Communications Duran said that during this challenging period, while rushing to the aid of citizens affected by the earthquake, they were also compelled to confront an intense wave of disinformation aimed at distorting the truth, undermining search and rescue efforts, and eroding social cohesion.
Emphasising that they went through a challenging period in which both the opportunities offered by sophisticated communication tools and the vulnerabilities they entail were exploited, Head of Communications Burhanettin Duran made the following remarks:
"We experienced first-hand how falsehoods, fabricated content, and distorted information could spread with alarming speed and leave an impact, particularly in times of crisis. During this period, we witnessed disinformation spreading at times through deliberate manipulation and at other times through misrepresentations stemming from a lack of accurate information. It was of critical importance to counter such misleading content that threatened public order, undermined security in disaster zones, and hindered search-and-rescue activities. Within this framework, as the Directorate of Communications, we intervened in nearly 200 instances of disinformation and shared the truth with our nation. In coordination with relevant state institutions, we worked diligently to ensure the public was accurately informed. Furthermore, to maintain uninterrupted communication with our citizens, we immediately activated CİMER’s Crisis Communication Strategy. Accordingly, as of 8:30 a.m. on the morning of 6 February, we launched the CİMER Earthquake Emergency Application as a dedicated communication channel for our earthquake-affected citizens. We monitored and resolved, in coordination with our institutions, all requests and needs submitted through this application, amounting to a total of 1.7 million applications. Through the CİMER Call Centre, we also responded to more than 220,000 calls on a 24/7 basis during the three-month period following the earthquake. In addition, to facilitate the work of journalists in the region, we established press centres and addressed their needs."
"This is our people's story of resurrection and accomplishment"
Head of Communications Duran stated that they guided international journalists and provided information via the daily published Turkish and English bulletins. Noting that 32 international journalists from 11 countries who served in the region following the 6 February earthquakes returned to the region last week and met with Murat Kurum, Minister of Environment, Urbanisation, and Climate Change, Head of Communications Duran said that these members of the press, who had also witnessed the devastation caused by the earthquake, had the opportunity to observe and bear witness to the extensive reconstruction achieved after three years.
Pointing out that, since 2024, the programme has enabled 366 journalists from 26 countries to observe Türkiye's ongoing reconstruction and recovery efforts on site, Head of Communications Duran said, "This is our people's story of resurrection and accomplishment, which deserves the applause of the entire world."
"Disaster of the Century's Third Anniversary: Reconstruction and Recovery Efforts" Book
Head of Communications Duran stated that in the post-disaster period, they regularly highlighted the intensive efforts in the earthquake-affected region through their publications, panels, and symposiums, and shared them with the public.
Head of Communications Duran announced that today, they brought their new publication, The 3rd Anniversary of the Disaster of the Century: Reconstruction and Recovery Efforts, to the attention of the public, and said:
"In our publication, which includes a foreword by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the efforts undertaken from the very first moments of the Disaster of the Century are included in a comprehensive manner. The book also examines major disasters worldwide and assesses the global impacts of the 6 February earthquakes. In addition, infographics are used to share detailed disaster data. Furthermore, the efforts undertaken in the aftermath of the disaster are examined holistically across a range of areas, including health, education, economy, social services, and communication. In this respect, our book stands as an important reference that documents the experience of reconstruction and recovery undertaken in a spirit of solidarity and serves as an enduring record for future generations. I would also like to briefly address the project titled ‘Disaster Journalism: Preventing the News from Becoming a Disaster’, one of the main themes of our panel. As part of this project, coordinated by Selçuk University and partnered with our institution, an internationally valid Disaster Journalism course curriculum has been developed for communication faculties, along with training guides for media professionals. The primary goal here was to ensure that journalists knew what to do if disasters struck again. I believe these efforts will significantly raise awareness of disaster communication in our country and around the world and strengthen an ethical approach to disaster journalism."
Head of Communications Duran emphasised that establishing a healthy communication environment, especially during disasters, is a shared responsibility of the Directorate of Communications, relevant public institutions, the media, academia, civil society organisations, and all segments of society.
Head of Communications Duran emphasised that AFAD plays a crucial role during disasters and performs essential operations, yet all citizens had a responsibility to contribute, and extended his sincere gratitude to all institutions involved in the recovery process, the devoted public servants who worked tirelessly on the ground, the academic and media representatives, and citizens.
Minister Kurum speaks at panel on "Construction of the Century: The Recovery Vision of a Strong Türkiye"
Minister of Environment, Urbanisation, and Climate Change Murat Kurum stated in his speech at the "Construction of the Century: The Recovery Vision of a Strong Türkiye" panel organised by our Directorate of Communications that the earthquakes that struck Kahramanmaraş on 6 February 2023 directly affected 14 million people across 11 provinces.
Minister Kurum recalled that the earthquake killed 53,000 people, injured over 100,000, destroyed thousands of buildings, and caused a direct economic loss of 104 billion dollars.
Minister Kurum stated that there were some issues in the world during the earthquake, and said, "Yet we knew how to rise out of this darkness. Our nation first placed its trust in us, and with the support of our people, we never stopped. Under the leadership of our President, even as debris removal efforts continued, we moved forward with the construction of permanent housing.
Minister Kurum recalled that they laid the foundations on the 15th day after the earthquake and delivered the first housing units on the 45th day, producing 23 houses per hour, or 550 per day, which is unprecedented in the world and said:
"To date, we have completed 455,000 housing units with honour and dignity. Together, with the help of prayers, encouragement, and our people's faith in us, we were able to deliver these houses. Throughout this entire process, we were guided by a single, unwavering thought. When these cities rise, Türkiye rises with them. That is why our 11 provinces have always been our priority.
We did not approach this process of revival merely as a housing effort. We know that a city is more than just a space constructed by human beings. A city is also a structure that shapes human beings. It carries our past, shapes our present, and directs our future. With this understanding, we build our cities around a vision rooted in Turkish-Islamic civilisation, placing people at the centre. Our understanding of the city is based on humanity, morality, neighbourliness, and compassion. For us, a city is a living environment that does not burden the human spirit, facilitates daily life, and fosters solidarity. With its mosque, marketplace, school, and public square, it embodies a lifestyle that places people at its centre. As we built housing across our 11 provinces, we simultaneously developed living spaces. Recognising them as ‘the identity of cities,’ we constructed public squares."
"Türkiye is a country that knows how to stand back up, even on its most difficult day"
Stating that they have restored many landmarks, including the Habib al-Najjar Mosque and the Historic Assembly Building, without altering their original character, Minister Kurum noted that they have acted with a comprehensive urban vision from A to Z.
Minister Kurum said that the picture they witnessed three years ago was heavy enough to drive one to despair and added, "What we see today demonstrates that, where there is a resolute state mindset and leadership that places its trust in the nation, even the greatest destruction can be turned into renewal. We achieved this. We accomplished what was deemed impossible. With its state and its nation united, the Republic of Türkiye once again proved its strength."
Minister Kurum emphasised that on 6 February, the ‘Witness the strength of Türkiye' programme was organised in Osmaniye alongside President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Chairman of the Nationalist Movement Party, Devlet Bahçeli, and added, "This strength lies in faith, determination, solidarity, consultation, and the unity between the nation and the state. It is a will that never withdraws, even in the face of its hardest days. Anyone who looks at this picture—whether from these lands or from the other side of the world—sees the same truth. Türkiye is a country that knows how to stand back up, even on its most difficult day."
"We responded with the smiling faces of two million citizens"
Minister Kurum noted that in the aftermath of the "disaster of the century", they faced a wide range of challenges during the "reconstruction of the century", and yet perhaps the most exhausting of these challenges was disinformation.
Stating that, "From the very first day—indeed, from the very first hours—while we were striving to reach our people, through the Red Crescent, the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), and asking ourselves how we could save even one more life, they began spreading falsehoods. Those who rubbed their hands together, hoping that 'the government would be buried under the rubble,' sought to spread fear through lies," Minister Kurum added that by circulating false information, they attempted to sabotage rescue and recovery efforts, and tried to turn pain into chaos and to activate society’s fault lines.
Kurum said, "Regrettably, they sought to transform a natural disaster like the Disaster of the Century into a social catastrophe, portraying Türkiye as a country that had collapsed and fallen to its knees. While continuing our work day and night with our team on the ground, we also fought these lies hand in hand with our Presidency’s Directorate of Communications."
Underlining that their response to all these falsehoods and slanders was clear, 455,000 homes standing tall, which was not an easy task, Minister Kurum said:
"We responded with the public squares, marketplaces, and restored historical heritage we delivered across our 11 provinces. We responded with the smiling faces of two million citizens who returned to their homes in safety and peace. Yet we see that they show no sense of shame. They continue to lie. They boast about sending trash containers, yet they disparage the 455,000 houses on which we worked day and night with so many workers.
They know perfectly well that interest is not charged on disaster houses. If you ask all our brothers and sisters affected by the earthquake there, or if you ask citizens affected by previous disasters, they will all tell you that interest is not charged. Yet, adamantly and deliberately, he continues to lie, looking our nation straight in the eye. We say, "As in all disasters, housing here will be interest-free, at a fixed price;" they hear it, but they keep at it. Later, he will claim, "They did it because I said it." No one will buy that, Mr. Özgür. Stop manipulating the public. You will not be able to conceal your incompetence or your indifference to the people through such tactics. While you were expecting us to be “trapped under the rubble,” it is you who ended up beneath it. You will never emerge from under that rubble with these games. You will go down in history as the leader of a party that failed to drive even a single nail in these 11 provinces."
"Anatolia will rise"
Minister Kurum stated that for 24 years, regardless of what opposition parties say, they have continued to walk this path with the people.
"Let them continue with their lies and disinformation. They threaten their own mayors who come to us, saying, 'Why are you going there, why are you thanking them for these efforts?" said Kurum, noting that they listen to every mayor regardless of their political affiliation, take their requests, and implement whatever needs to be done for the people. Minister Kurum expressed that they have carried out the construction of the century hand in hand with the people and added:
"We are proud of bringing these services to our nation. We want our municipalities to fight against earthquakes and make efforts for earthquake preparedness everywhere. We say, 'Let us all come together and shoulder responsibility.' However, when they come to us and work on these issues with us, the leader of the CHP scolds his own deputies and mayors, asking, 'Why are you thanking the minister?' Such an approach is unfathomable. Why should we choose to divide our nation and deceive them with falsehoods when we can act together on matters regarding the nation's future, security, and peace? Such an approach to politics is unfathomable.
You see, he has been staying in the 11 provinces for a week, and apart from disrespecting the labour of the search and rescue teams, workers, architects, and engineers who have accomplished so much and have provided so much service, he has done nothing. You had your own municipalities as well; couldn't you step in and lend a hand? You see the Grand Mosque - they said, 'We will carry out the work for the Grand Mosque ourselves,' - and it is still at the foundation phase. Had the earthquake region been left to the mercy of the CHP, today all 11 of our provinces would be in the foundation phase like the Grand Mosque. We have not left our nation to their mercy."
Recalling President Erdoğan's statement, "Not a single brother or sister of ours will be left without a house or a home," Kurum said, adding they are working day and night with this perspective and understanding.
Noting that they have completed 455,000 housing units owing to the support and prayers of the nation, Minister Kurum stated, "They referred to me as a 'site manager'. They asked, 'Are you the site manager of the 11 provinces?' I said, 'Yes, I am the site manager, and I am honoured.' Because I will be proud to be a brother to the people in 11 provinces, to be a son to the people in 11 provinces, and I will wear this as a badge of honour on my chest. With the delivery of earthquake housing, all of Anatolia will rise, and all of Anatolia will begin to rewrite history today."
Minister Kurum and Head of Communications Duran visited the "Construction of the Century Photo Exhibition" before the panel.
Furthermore, the Head of Communications, Duran, shared a post on his NSosyal account regarding the panel.
In his post, Head of Communications Duran noted:
"As the Directorate of Communications, we held the 'Construction of the Century: The Recovery Vision of a Strong Türkiye' Panel with the valuable participation of representatives from academia, media, and civil society organisations.
I believe this gathering represents our determination to move forward without forgetting what had been experienced and to foster hope without setting aside our grief.
We overcame this disaster not only through our technical capacity but also through our collective conscience and solidarity. This strong resolve and spirit of unity have been given an institutional framework through a lasting and inclusive process of reconstruction and recovery launched under the leadership of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, which goes beyond temporary measures and is firmly grounded in lasting solutions.
The disaster and its aftermath once again demonstrated the true significance of a strong communication environment centred on truth. It is precisely for the establishment of such a healthy communication ecosystem that we exerted—and continue to exert—intensive efforts.
During this challenging period, while we rushed to the aid of our citizens affected by the earthquake and carried the profound grief of the lives we lost in our hearts, we were also compelled to confront an intense wave of disinformation—aimed at distorting the truth, undermining search and rescue efforts, and eroding social cohesion.
We went through a challenging period in which both the opportunities offered by sophisticated communication tools and the vulnerabilities they entail were exploited.
It was of critical importance to counter such misleading content that threatened public order, undermined security in disaster zones, and hindered search-and-rescue activities. Within this framework, we intervened in nearly 200 instances of disinformation and shared accurate information with our nation. In coordination with relevant state institutions, we worked diligently to ensure that the public was informed accurately.
Ensuring a healthy communication environment, particularly at times of disaster, is a common responsibility for us and the relevant institutions of our state, as well as the media community, the academic world, civil society organisations, and all segments of society.
Today, we are bringing to the attention of our nation our new publication titled ‘The Third Anniversary of the Disaster of the Century: Reconstruction and Recovery Efforts’. In our publication, which includes a foreword by our esteemed President, the efforts undertaken from the very first moments of the Disaster of the Century are conveyed in a comprehensive manner. The book also examines major disasters throughout history and assesses the global impacts of the February 6 earthquakes.
I would like to express my gratitude to the Minister of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change, Murat Kurum, our esteemed Deputy Ministers, and our distinguished guests for attending this panel, and to everyone who contributed and worked on the preparation of the panel and the book. I hope the panel will yield auspicious results."
