2 important plans against possible Istanbul earthquake! 39 districts and 39 provinces…

The panel, held at Biruni University Congress Center, was held with the support of the Ministry of Interior Civil Society Relations General Directorate, Istanbul Journalists Federation (IGAFED) and Turkish Internet and Media Union (TİMBİR). Istanbul Deputy Governor Mahmut Hersanlıoğlu, Biruni University Rector Prof. Dr. Adnan Yüksel, ASKON General President Orhan Aydın, IGAFED General President Adil Koçalan attended the panel, which discussed crisis management during disaster processes.

"23 WORKING GROUPS ACROSS THE PROVINCE CONTINUE THEIR ACTIVITIES"

Deputy Governor of Istanbul Mahmut Hersanlıoğlu stated that they are working on two plans in Istanbul and said, "One is the disaster response plan. This plan includes public institutions and organizations, civil society organizations and the private sector. This plan includes 23 working groups. According to the order of our Governor, 23 working groups in all districts of the province continue their activities. They conduct drills from time to time. I call this a 'disaster preparedness plan', so to speak. In this regard, we are receiving very serious support from NGOs, especially in terms of search and rescue activities."

"IN CASE OF AN EARTHQUAKE, 39 DISTRICTS IN ISTANBUL WERE PAIRED WITH 39 PROVINCES"

Speaking about the planning made for a possible earthquake, Hersanlıoğlu said, "In the first 12 hours, 39 districts and 39 provinces have been paired with each other in case of an earthquake in Istanbul. The governors of the paired provinces will come to that district with their means and capabilities. But this requires some time. Our greatest need during this period is human resources with earthquake search and rescue training. We have had two meetings with our rectors regarding this. I know that there is a 2-year college on emergency and disaster management. I specifically say that I see this as an opportunity for Istanbul. I think that the continuity of this department should be ensured."

HERSANLIOĞLU CONTINUED HIS WORDS AS FOLLOWS:

"There is a more important risk reduction plan. Regarding the risk reduction plan, the Istanbul risk reduction plan was revised again under the leadership of our esteemed governor and transformed into 1594 actions. These actions were assigned to public institutions and organizations. There are actions that our district municipalities and metropolitan municipalities need to take in public institutions and organizations. When these actions are taken, material and moral damages in a possible disaster will be minimized."

"WE NEED TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS FOR ISTANBUL"

Biruni University President Prof. Dr. Adnan Yüksel said, "There is a great expectation ahead of us. We are in a position where natural disasters are frequently expected. Therefore, we always hold such meetings, but if you ask how many people we reach in the end, I am not very happy. Mevlana says, 'Mind is not for sighing later, but for thinking in advance and taking precautions.' We urgently need to take precautions for Istanbul. What you call education is a change in behavior. If behavior does not change, if you reason but cannot solve the problem, the result will be zero. That is why these meetings are very nice."

"DISASTER AWARENESS SHOULD BE INSTITUTED AT AN EARLY AGE"

Emphasizing that disaster awareness should be instilled at a young age, Prof. Dr. Yüksel said, "AFAD educates people, but we need to teach disaster management to preschoolers and primary school students. If you learn something, you forget it quickly, but if you understand it, change your behavior, and bring your habits from one point to another, you will be successful. Everyone in this country should know first and emergency aid, disaster and emergency aid. If we do it like everyone else, we will be like everyone else. If we add excitement, motivation and spirit to what we do, we will do that job best."

"THE DISASTER OF THE CENTURY CAUSED THE COUNTRY 100 BILLION DOLLARS OF DAMAGE"

ASKON Chairman Orhan Aydın, touching on the damage that disasters have caused to the Turkish economy, said, "In addition to the thousands of lives we have lost; we know that the cost of the disaster of the century on February 6 has reached a figure of 100 billion dollars . We also know that the Gölcük earthquake in the past caused 10-15 billion dollars, the 2020 earthquake caused 1.2 billion dollars, the 2021 Black Sea floods caused 1 billion dollars, the 2021 forest fires in the Mediterranean Region caused 1.2 billion dollars in damage to the economy, and the 1999 earthquake reduced Turkey's Gross National Product by 3.3 percent in one year."

MEDIA-CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS COOPERATION DISCUSSED

İGAFED Chairman Adil Koçalan, in his speech, said;

"We are here with you at an event where we can evaluate ways to be informed about disasters, to establish direct and effective working relationships between the media and disaster management organizations and NGOs, and to enable NGOs to manage media-disaster relations more effectively before and after emergencies," he said. Koçalan continued his speech by thanking all supporters of the program.

The program, which consisted of two sessions, ended with presentations and briefings.