Two Years After Turkey's Devastating Earthquake A Call to Action

Two Years After Turkey's Devastating Earthquake A Call to Action

As geologists, we understand the power of nature and the importance of preparedness. The two-year anniversary of Turkey's devastating earthquake serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of neglecting safety protocols and prioritizing profits over people.

Unwavering Grief, Anger, and Determination

The memories of that fateful day remain etched in the minds of survivors, who continue to mourn the loss of loved ones and struggle to rebuild their lives. Emine Albayrak, a 25-year-old survivor, succinctly captures the feelings of many Although two years have passed, we are still hurting. It still feels like it did on that first day. The outpouring of pain, anger, and determination is palpable, with survivors calling for accountability through chants such as We will not forget, we will not forgive. We will hold them accountable! and This was not an earthquake, this was a massacre!

Systemic Failures Exposed A Wake-Up Call

The disaster laid bare the systemic failures that allowed thousands to perish. The collapse of buildings, many of which were constructed on unsuitable land or lacked proper safety measures, highlights the greed of unscrupulous developers and corrupt bureaucrats who prioritized profits over people. As survivor Humeysa Bagriyanik, 16 at the time of the quake, puts it Our city was razed to the ground... I don't recognise anything anymore.

Ongoing Rebuilding Efforts A Glimmer of Hope

Despite the challenges, Turkey's government has committed to rebuilding and restoration efforts. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has pledged to continue these efforts with unwavering determination until the affected cities are back on their feet. To date, nearly 201,500 homes have been given to survivors, with the government aiming to hand over keys to an additional 220,000 by year's end.

Fear and Uncertainty A Warning Unheeded

However, two years after the disaster, fears of another major quake remain. The recent series of earthquakes in the Aegean Sea near Santorini has raised concerns about a potential big one hitting Istanbul, which lies just 15 kilometers from the North Anatolian faultline. Urban planning minister Murat Kurum warns that Istanbul does not have the strength to withstand another earthquake of such magnitude.

Justice and Accountability A Quest for Transparency

The pursuit of justice and accountability continues, with 189 people having been jailed over the disaster and 1,342 trials involving 1,850 defendants ongoing. As Sema Genc, 34, whose home collapsed on top of her family, killing them all, says That fear is always with you. The push for transparency and accountability is crucial in preventing similar tragedies from occurring in the future.

Conclusion and Call-to-Action

As geologists, we must acknowledge the devastating impact of this disaster and the need for immediate action to prevent such tragedies from recurring. Let us work together to ensure that the lessons learned from Turkey's earthquake are applied globally, prioritizing safety protocols, transparency, and accountability in our quest for a safer world.

Keywords Turkey earthquake, disaster relief, rebuilding efforts, justice and accountability, seismic risk reduction

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.