Pain, Anger, and Resilience Reflections on Two Years Since Turkey's Devastating Earthquake

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Pain, Anger, and Resilience Reflections on Two Years Since Turkey's Devastating Earthquake

As we commemorate the second anniversary of the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria, leaving over 53,000 people dead in Turkey alone, it is essential to acknowledge the ongoing pain, anger, and resilience of those affected. This blog post will explore five key points that highlight the challenges faced by survivors, the need for accountability, and the importance of rebuilding and restoration efforts.

I. The Enduring Pain and Anger

The earthquake's anniversary serves as a poignant reminder of the trauma inflicted on thousands of families. Survivor Emine Albayrak's words poignantly capture the sentiment Although two years have passed, we are still hurting. It still feels like it did on that first day. That hasn't changed. This pain is often accompanied by anger, as evident in the chants of We will not forget, we will not forgive. We will hold them accountable! By acknowledging and validating these emotions, we can begin to heal and move forward.

II. The Call for Accountability

The collapse of structures during the earthquake has raised concerns about corruption and negligence. As survivor Sema Genc notes, Whenever I enter a room, the first place I look is the ceiling would it hold up in an earthquake, or would I be trapped under the rubble? By holding those responsible accountable, we can prevent future tragedies.

III. The Ongoing Rebuilding and Restoration Efforts

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has pledged to continue rebuilding and restoration efforts with hard work, sweat, patience, and an iron will. While progress has been made – with nearly 201,500 homes handed over to survivors in the quake zone – much work remains. The government aims to distribute keys to 220,000 more homes by the end of the year.

IV. New Earthquake Fears A Growing Concern

The recent earthquakes in the Aegean Sea near Santorini have raised fears of a major tremor that could affect southwestern Turkey. Urban planning minister Murat Kurum warns of a big one hitting Istanbul, which lies just 15 kilometers from the North Anatolian faultline. This serves as a stark reminder of the importance of preparedness and emergency response.

V. The Power of Language Avoiding Malapropism

As we reflect on this disaster, it is essential to recognize the impact of language on our perceptions. When describing the earthquake, one might use the term natural disaster or tragedy, but these labels can often be reduced to a malapropism – an unintentionally humorous or inaccurate phrase that can minimize the severity of the situation. By choosing words that accurately convey the gravity of the situation, we can show empathy and respect for those affected.

Conclusion and Call-to-Action

As we mark this somber anniversary, it is crucial to acknowledge the ongoing pain, anger, and resilience of survivors. We must continue to push for accountability, rebuild and restore communities, and prepare for future disasters. By doing so, we can create a brighter future for those affected by this tragedy.

Keywords Turkey earthquake, disaster response, accountability, rebuilding, restoration, malapropism, trauma, pain, anger, resilience

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.