On the second day of the Stratcom Disaster Communication Forum held by the Presidency's Directorate of Communications at the Conference Hall of the Directorate of Communications, the panel titled "Stratcom Panel-5: International Solidarity and Disaster Response: We Stand with Türkiye" was held.
In the panel moderated by Ambassador Hakkı Emre Yunt, the ambassadors of Japan, Hungary, Greece and the UAE to Ankara discussed international solidarity and communication in natural disasters.
Speaking at the panel, Japanese Ambassador to Ankara Suzuki Kazuhiro emphasized that he had a very emotional experience since the beginning of the earthquake and explained that field researchers came to Hatay from Japan immediately after the earthquakes.
Noting that both Türkiye and Japan are earthquake-prone countries, Suzuki said that the magnitude of the earthquakes occurred in Türkiye is very large.
Suzuki noted that quakes can occur at any time and emphasized the significance of preparedness.
Suzuki indicated that standards and rules should be implemented in building construction and stated that they were prepared for the 2011 Tohuku earthquake but not for the tsunami it caused.
Suzuki emphasized that they did not anticipate a magnitude-9 earthquake, which resulted in the deaths of 20,000 people, and that they implemented several regulations and rules after this tsunami.
Suzuki stated that after the tsunami they constructed houses on higher ground and constructed massive sea walls as a precaution against future tsunamis.
Suzuki stated that in order for all of these rules to be implemented, experts and academics from both countries should engage in dialogue, and that the Turkish-Japanese Science and Technology University will be opened in Istanbul in the near future.
Hungarian Ambassador to Ankara Viktor Matis also drew attention to the fact that the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes affected an area larger than Hungary and said that it was difficult to imagine such a large earthquake in his country.
Matis, who stated that the Hungarian search and rescue teams are competent, noted that it was very touching when President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan awarded a medal to the Hungarian search and rescue dog called "Hope."
"Although we are a small country with limited economic means, we have extensive experience in search and rescue operations," Matis said.
Matis emphasized the significance of a new Disaster Management Agreement between the two countries, noting that the said agreement was ready for signature.
Matis stated that at the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) ministerial meeting in December, there were significant initiatives by OTS countries, particularly AFAD, toward the establishment of a joint response mechanism, and that this was critical for the future.
In addition, Ambassador Matis emphasized the significance of precise communication during natural disasters such as earthquakes.
"People have the mistaken belief that older buildings are more resilient"
Christodoulos Lazaris, the Greek Ambassador to Ankara, stated that many trucks and planes were dispatched from Greece to the earthquake zone immediately following the earthquakes.
Lazaris stated that Greek search and rescue teams rescued 5 earthquake victims alive from beneath the rubble and emphasized that the teams worked extremely hard.
Lazaris also stated that a significant amount of pharmaceuticals, primarily medical supplies, as well as tents and blankets, were sent from Greece to Türkiye.
Emphasizing that there is a mistaken belief about which buildings are more resilient to earthquakes, Lazaris indicated that people have the mistaken belief that "old buildings are more resilient."
Ambassador Lazaris stated that, during the rescue efforts in Hatay, the Greek teams discovered that the newer structures were more resilient and that this was related to the enforcement of new regulations on construction since the 1990s.
"Inshallah, Türkiye will emerge stronger with the support of its brothers and friends"
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador to Ankara, Saeed Thani Hareb Al Dhaheri, also stated that three aircraft carrying rescue teams arrived in the region on the night of the first earthquake, and that the teams were racing against the clock to rescue the victims trapped beneath the rubble, putting them under extreme pressure.
Dhaheri, on the other hand, noted that the UAE expressed its support through phone calls to Türkiye immediately after the earthquake and that Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan of the UAE visited the region six days later.
"I believe this was the largest and most severe earthquake I have seen in my life," Dhaheri said, adding that his country adhered to the "principle of assisting friendly countries in times of need."
Dhaheri stated that this was not about politics or anything else, adding, "Human life is essential to us. We respect humanity."
Dhaheri stated that a UAE-established field hospital is still operating in the earthquake zone, and he added, "Inshallah, Türkiye will emerge stronger (from the earthquake disaster) with the support of its brothers and friends."
Ambassador Dhaheri suggested that young engineers and contractors visit quake-stricken cities to see firsthand the devastation caused by poor construction so that future generations can learn from this disaster and never forget the devastating effects of earthquakes.