PM Ünal Üstel: “Vital importance of preparedness for any possible natural disasters”

Prime Minister Ünal Üstel said that the time had come to be prepared for all possible natural disasters in our country as soon as possible. This can only be achieved through social consensus, solidarity and swift action, Üstel said. Prime Minister Üstel issued a statement following the 6.4 magnitude earthquake that hit Hatay on Monday evening. “According to the Kandilli Observatory data, we experienced two more earthquakes with a magnitude of 6.4 and 5.8, the epicentre of which was reported in the Defne and Samandağ districts of Hatay, at around 7 pm tonight. This is the 4th earthquake that we have felt seriously in the last 15 days. According to the first data sent to me, no damage has occurred in our country” the premier said. “As the government, we believe that it is vital for our country to be prepared for a possible earthquake following the earthquake disaster of the century that shook Türkiye, and that it is necessary to act swiftly and budget under emergency action plans. We have already taken some steps for fundraising”. The resources we have created with the decree put into force are: 1. Structural improvements at public buildings and other structures, especially school buildings, hospitals and health centres, for earthquake resistance inspections. 2. The purchase of equipment for the Civil Defense Organization and Fire Brigade Department in preparation for any possible earthquake, 3- To heal the wounds of the people from the Republic of Türkiye, affected by the earthquake and to keep the memories of our lost fellow citizens alive. Following the Assembly meeting, a consensus was reached by the government for the constructive proposals of ‘let's act together’ and with a unanimous vote of all deputies the above-mentioned issues will be dealt with through the establishment of 3 temporary and special ADHOC Committees following a decision by the General Assembly, Üstel said. “Yesterday, we once again made it clear that we are open to all kinds of constructive suggestions and dialogue, and that our target is to be prepared for a possible disaster as soon as possible by taking accurate steps in our country. I hope that the relevant committees will start work speedily and that efforts to create the resources needed for earthquake preparedness will be carried out as soon as possible. We have no time to waste on unproductive debates. Time is the time to make our country ready for all possible natural disasters in a very short time. We can only achieve this by social consensus, solidarity and swift action” Üstel said.