Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum, speaking at the 'Resilient Cities Summit' at the Mehmet Akif Ersoy Cultural Center, stated that the February 6 earthquakes affected 11 provinces and 14 million people.
Kurum said that after the earthquake, the state and the nation joined hands to launch a massive construction process, with debris removal and swift action taken to build new cities. He stated that foundations were laid 15 days after the quake and the first homes were delivered on the 45th day.
He said: 'While debris was being cleared on one side, our architects, engineers and planners were working tirelessly on the other to build new homes on the most solid ground, away from fault lines. At the time, those who said “It cannot be done” frankly dampened spirits, but we gave our nation hope.'
'We bowed our heads, ignored the gossip and turned a deaf ear to those remarks. With great motivation, we produced 23 homes per hour and 550 per day, achieving an unparalleled success together.' Emphasizing that this achievement was not a solo effort, Kurum said they worked hand in hand with citizens across all 11 provinces in the quake zone.
Kurum noted that today in Kahramanmaraş, instead of sorrow, the sound of children can be heard. 'Under the leadership of our President, we worked day and night like ants in 11 provinces, with our sweat and labor, and we did this job. Now we come to this city with pride,' he said.
'WE WILL NOT LEAVE THE REGION UNTIL THE LAST EARTHQUAKE VICTIM SMILES' Kurum stressed that they will continue working until the last quake survivor smiles, and that they carry the responsibility for the nation's donations made in difficult times with a great sense of accountability.
Kurum said: 'Under our President's leadership, as we have done for 25 years, we will continue to produce works, provide services and stand by our nation in difficult times.' He explained that not only housing and workplaces are being built in the earthquake zone, but also infrastructure and social facilities. Parks, infrastructure investments, treatment plants and sanitary landfills have been implemented.
'Infrastructure work totaling the circumference of Turkey has been carried out. Today we have treatment plants and sanitary landfills that we will inaugurate. Everything needed to create a livable city in every street and neighborhood has been considered. Schools have been built in coordination with our municipalities and relevant ministries. Today there are more classrooms than before the earthquake.'
'Our Ministry of National Education built the schools, and our Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure built the roads. AFAD took necessary steps to meet all the needs of our citizens. Our Ministry of Health strengthened healthcare infrastructure. All our ministries, working under the coordination of our President, approached the city as a whole and implemented investments with this understanding,' he said.
570 THOUSAND HOUSING UNITS UNDER CONSTRUCTION Regarding the works following the February 6 earthquakes, Kurum stated that a total of 570,000 housing units are being built, including 120,000 within the scope of on-site transformation. He said: 'This figure represents a scale larger than the population of many European countries. It is impossible to show another example in the world where 3,500 construction sites across 11 provinces were planned and completed in such a short time while preserving urban identity.'
To those who said 'The state was absent,' we must ask: Who built 23 homes an hour? Who built these 570,000 homes through the round-the-clock labor of approximately 200,000 architects, engineers and workers? Of course, our state did.
Kurum said that the state has built and delivered hundreds of thousands of homes to citizens, and that people are now living there in peace and safety. 'Of course, the legal process is also ongoing. Every matter concerning our nation's trust will be assessed by the judiciary, and if there is any wrongdoing or negligence, our state will take the necessary action. Let no one doubt this. This process has once again demonstrated to all of Turkey and the world the capacity and organizational power of our state. The resources created with the taxes and donations of our people will be accounted for transparently. If any irregularity is detected, our state will take the necessary steps,' he said.
TURKEY TO HOST COP31 CONFERENCE Kurum reminded that Turkey will host the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Antalya in November. Noting that the summit will welcome representatives from 196 countries and over 100 leaders, Kurum drew attention to the growing impacts of climate change.
Kurum stated that disasters like wildfires, floods and landslides are occurring more frequently on a global scale, and said all countries must take responsibility against the climate crisis. Emphasizing the importance of climate justice, he noted that the countries that pollute the least are the ones facing the severe consequences of the climate crisis.
Kurum added that at COP31 in Antalya, they will highlight stability and an approach where no one is left behind, and that important messages will be conveyed to the world at the summit.
