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T 0 212 489 40 63, İstanbul Matbaa Sertifika No: 45590 Print 1st Edition, İstanbul, 2024 Disaster of the Century’s First Anniversary: Reconstruction and Recovery Efforts Publisher’s Certificate No: 45482 ISBN: 978-625-7377-90-4 © 2024 PRESIDENCY OF THE REPUBLIC OF TÜRKİYE DIRECTORATE OF COMMUNICATIONS Disaster of the Century’s First Anniversary: Reconstruction and Recovery Efforts TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S PREFACE 7 President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan CHAPTER 1 THE TRAIL OF THE DISASTER: DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKES FROM THE PAST TO THE PRESENT 11 CHAPTER 2 THE DISASTER OF THE CENTURY: KAHRAMANMARAŞ EARTHQUAKES 29 CHAPTER 3 THE TÜRKİYE NATIONAL RISK SHIELD MODEL 47 CHAPTER 4 SOLIDARITY AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE 59 CHAPTER 5 TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY 75 5.1. Public Security and Scrutiny 76 5.2. Inclusive Healthcare Services 85 5.3. Transportation and Communication Services 119 5.4. Accommodation and Earthquake-Safe Housing Services 157 5.5. Uninterrupted Education 206 5.6. Continuity of Justice Services 270 5.7. Supports and Measures for Economic Stability 289 5.8. Efforts for Work and Social Life 327 5.9. Steps to Support Industry 342 5.10. Agriculture-Friendly Regulations 355 5.11. Culture and Arts Projects 376 5.12. Support for the Youth and Sports 398 5.13. Religious Services 419 5.14. Social Services 433 5.15. Efforts in the Field of Media and Communication 470 5.16. Scientific Studies, Projects and Publications 562 Disaster of the Century’s First Anniversary: Reconstruction and Recovery Efforts 6 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS PREFACE | 7 P R E F A C E O ur nation experienced one of the most devastating natural disasters in human history on February 6, 2023, when two earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.7 and 7.6 hit Kahramanmaraş consecutively. The Kahramanmaraş earthquakes, referred to as the Disaster of the Cen- tury, not only had a direct impact on over 14 million people across 11 provinces but also profoundly shook the entire population of 85 million. More than 50 thousand people lost their lives under the rubble. Around 110 thousand of our citizens survived with injuries. The earthquakes that occurred on February 6 se- verely damaged a large number of structures in eleven provinces, including Kah- ramanmaraş, Adıyaman, and Hatay. Around 850,000 independent structures became unusable, with 170,000 commercial and 680,000 residential buildings. Despite the harsh winter conditions and a disaster zone spanning more than 500 kilometres, our state acted quickly from the first moment of the earthquake and mobilised its ministries, institutions, municipalities, and non-governmen- tal organisations to respond to the earthquake. In addition to the relief and res- cue teams, over 272,000 public officials extended their support to the victims of the earthquake. We provided a wide range of accommodation facilities to the victims of the earthquake, including tents, containers, prefabricated buildings, social facilities, dormitories and hotels. Our nation mobilised in full force with a strong sense of solidarity to provide assistance, moral support and relief sup- plies to those affected by the earthquakes. With the solidarity of the state and the nation, we were able to overcome one of the greatest natural disasters not only in our history but also in human history. More than one hundred countries from around the world provided us with considerable assistance and support in a variety of areas—from lodging to search and rescue teams—during this chal- lenging period. Although a year has passed since the earthquake, the grief of our losses still torments our hearts. This disaster, which claimed the lives of more than 50,000 people, will remain our prime concern. The wounds caused by the earthquake in 11 provinces have not yet healed. However, we are diligently working with all our institutions to heal these wounds and revive all the cities devastated by the earthquake, including efforts to restore residences, workplaces, agricultural ar- eas, industrial zones, and historical and cultural landmarks. 8 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF TÜRKİYE RECEP TAYYIP ERDOĞAN In all documents that make up our economic road map, especially the Medi- um-Term Programme, we have placed great emphasis on addressing the needs of the earthquake-affected areas. In our 2024 budget, we have allocated more than 1 trillion liras to the reconstruction of our earthquake-affected cities. We had begun the process of rebuilding and reviving our devastated cities by re- moving the debris. We continued these efforts without interruption, even dur- ing the election period. As promised, we also began the delivery of the complet- ed earthquake housings to the rightful owners. We are not limiting ourselves only to constructing residences in the earthquake zone; we are also restoring the commercial areas and cultural structures that define the original identity of these cities. We are resolute to persist in our endeavours until we make our disaster-ravaged cities even more magnificent, safe, and resilient than before. As we are healing the wounds inflicted by the February 6 earthquakes, we are concurrently working to enhance the durability and earthquake resistance of all cities in our country. The earthquake disasters we have recently experienced have revealed the importance and necessity of urban transformation for safe cities. We believe that the most significant service we can provide to all our 81 provinces, particularly Istanbul, is urban transformation initiatives. Our objec- tive is to introduce 6 million new houses to the country in the upcoming period, with 1.5 million of them located in Istanbul, achieved through new houses to be built in earthquake-affected areas and urban transformation projects. I believe that this book, published by the Presidency’s Directorate of Commu- nications, is a valuable work in that it records the intense and devoted efforts undertaken by all institutions of our state to heal our wounds in the one-year period following the February 6 earthquakes, which inflicted significant de- struction in our country. I wish Allah’s mercy upon our citizens who perished in the earthquake and a speedy recovery to the injured. May Allah protect our nation and country against all disasters. PREFACE | 9 Disaster of the Century’s First Anniversary: Reconstruction and Recovery Efforts 01 The Trail of the Disaster: Devastating Earthquakes From the Past to the Present 12 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS THE TRAIL OF THE DISASTER: DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKES FROM THE PAST TO THE PRESENT | 13 Chapter 1 The Trail of the Disaster: Devastating Earthquakes From the Past to the Present Major Earthquakes in the World T he most severe earthquakes in world history have been expe- rienced in countries located in the so-called Ring of Fire. The Ring of Fire is used to describe the Pacific Earthquake Belt, which is characterised by the highest frequency of tectonic earthquakes as well as the risk of volcanic eruptions, and it covers Cen- tral and South America and Asia-Pacific countries, among which are Japan, Chile, Mexico, Peru and New Zealand. An examination of the world’s largest earthquakes from the past to the present demonstrates that earthquakes occurring in this region account for ninety percent of all earthquakes worldwide, indicating the substantial hazard potential associated with the geography in question. However, earthquakes that have caused many deaths and significant damage throughout history have also occurred outside of the said region. Because of the devastation they caused, these earthquakes, which have occurred around the world since 1900, have been classified as the most destructive earthquakes. 14 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS On January 31, 1906, the 8.8-magnitude earthquake that struck off the coasts of Ecuador and Colombia killed about a thousand people. The tsunami that followed the earthquake crossed the ocean and reached Ja- pan, exacerbating the destruction wrought by the earthquake. The 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Haiyuan County, China, on December 16, 1920, caused severe damage and the deaths of 200 thou- sand people. The terrain underwent major changes after the earthquake. Due to the landslides, some communities were removed from the map, and some of the riverbeds changed course. The 7.9-magnitude Great Kanto Earthquake in Japan on September 1, 1923, caused massive destruction in and around Tokyo. A total of 143 thousand people lost their lives in this calamity. The 7.3-magnitude earthquake in Turkmenistan on October 5, 1948, caused many casualties. Due to the Ashgabat earthquake, 176 thousand of the 198 thousand inhabitants of the city lost their lives. A minimum of 1500 people perished in the 8.6-magnitude earthquake that occurred in Tibet on August 15, 1950. The devastation inflicted by THE TRAIL OF THE DISASTER: DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKES FROM THE PAST TO THE PRESENT | 15 the earthquake was not limited to Tibet but also had an impact on sever- al cities in China and India. The earthquake damaged hundreds of struc- tures. The 9-magnitude earthquake that struck the Kamchatka Peninsula in eastern Russia on November 4, 1952, did not result in any fatalities; nonetheless, the metre-high waves generated by the earthquake reached as far as Hawaii. The earthquake hitting the northern point of the Pacific Ring of Fire caused damage worth 1 million dollars. The 9.5-magnitude earthquake that struck Chile on May 22, 1960, with the epicentre in the city of Valdivia, was the most powerful earthquake in world history. 1,655 people perished, 3,000 were injured, and 2 million were left homeless in the world’s most powerful earthquake, which was felt over a 1,000-kilometre radius. Inflicted by the earthquake causing 550 million dollars of damage across the country, a tsunami spread over an area of 10 thousand kilometres and hit the coastal regions of South Africa, Hawaii, Japan and the Philippines, killing 61 people in Hawaii, 138 in Japan and 32 in the Philippines. The earthquake had an impact on the Puyehue Volcano, located in the south of the country, which re- mained active for weeks afterward. On March 28, 1964, a 9.2-magnitude earthquake that occurred in Alas- ka and lasted for 3 minutes triggered a tsunami. The earthquake and ensuing tsunami killed a total of 128 people and caused approximately 310 million dollars in damage. The earthquake in Alaska was ranked as the second most powerful earthquake in world history. Following this earthquake, another earthquake of magnitude 8.7 occurred on February 4, 1965, off the Rat Islands of Alaska, causing a 10-metre-high tsunami with no casualties. On July 27, 1976, a 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck the Tangshan city of China, killing 243 thousand people and leaving the region in ruins. 799 thousand people were injured in the earthquake, which caused damage as far as Beijing. The significance of an earthquake is determined not only by its inten- sity but also by its duration. The duration of an earthquake indicates the length of time the energy is released. Given that long-lasting earth- quakes release a greater amount of energy, it is evident that the damage 16 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS potential will increase in direct proportion to the energy. Indeed, the du- ration of the 9.1 magnitude earthquake that occurred in Sumatra, Indo- nesia, on December 26, 2004, was estimated to be 8–10 minutes. Record- ed as the longest-lasting earthquake in history, it claimed the lives of 230 thousand people. The tens of metres-high tsunami generated by the earthquake, which had repercussions extending to 40 countries beyond Indonesia, affected 14 countries in northern Asia and eastern Africa as well as Indonesia and caused substantial damage in coastal countries. This earthquake, one of the natural disasters with the highest number of casualties, and the subsequent tsunami left 1,700,000 people home- less. On March 28, 2005, Indonesia was shaken by a second earthquake of 8.6 magnitude at a depth of 30 kilometres underground, killing more than 1,400 people and injuring hundreds more due to the tsunami that followed. About 75 thousand people lost their lives in the 7.6-magnitude earth- quake that occurred in Pakistan on October 8, 2005. The effects of the earthquake, also known as the Kashmir earthquake, were quite devas- tating, and the region suffered great damage. On May 12, 2008, 87 thousand people lost their lives or disappeared in the 7.9-magnitude earthquake that occurred in the Sichuan province of China. As a result of the earthquake, 370 thousand people were injured and the region suffered severe material damage. On January 12, 2010, 316 thousand people perished and 300 thousand people were injured due to a 7-magnitude earthquake that occurred in the capital of Haiti, Port-au-Prince. The earthquake that wrecked much of the southern part of Haiti left 1,300,000 people homeless. On February 27, 2010, more than 500 people lost their lives and thou- sands were injured in an 8.8-magnitude earthquake that occurred 35 kilometres below the surface in Chile. The tsunami that occurred follow- ing the earthquake exacerbated the earthquake’s damage and impact- ed several Latin American countries, such as Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Costa Rica and Panama, as well as Chile. The earthquake, which victim- ised 1.8 million people, caused 30 billion dollars of damage and rendered more than 500 thousand houses damaged beyond repair. On March 11, 2011, a magnitude 9 earthquake that occurred 24 kilometres below the surface in the Tohoku region of Japan cracked a 1-kilometre THE TRAIL OF THE DISASTER: DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKES FROM THE PAST TO THE PRESENT | 17 fracture on the ocean floor. The impact of the Great East Japan Earth- quake, the most powerful instrumentally recorded earthquake in Japan, was not limited to this. The tens of metres-high tsunami that occurred after the earthquake killed about 20 thousand people and inflicted heavy damage. Food shortages ensued, 4.4 million houses in northeast- ern Japan lost electricity, and 1.5 million houses had water supply issues as a result of the earthquake, which also severely impacted the region’s transportation network and infrastructure. Environmental safety was also critically threatened by the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant leak. The 7.5-magnitude earthquake that occurred on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi on September 28, 2018 and the subsequent tsunami caused 4,340 people to lose their lives. This disaster was not limited to Sulawesi Island but also affected the Donggala, Palu and Sigi regions. The 7.2-magnitude earthquake that occurred off the coast of Haiti on August 14, 2021, brought to mind the disaster that struck Haiti 11 years earlier. The 2021 Haiti earthquake killed approximately 2 thousand and 500 people, injured more than 12 thousand people and left thousands homeless. HAİTİ CHINA 243 thousand INDONESIA 230 thousand CHINA 200 thousand TURKMENİSTAN 176 thousand January 12, 2010 316 thousand Fatality Count 7 July 27, 1976 243 thousand Fatality Count 7,5 December 26, 2004 230 thousand Fatality Count 9,1 December 16, 1920 200 thousand Fatality Count 7,8 October 5, 1948 176 thousand Fatality Count 7,3 World’s Deadliest Earthquakes 316 thousand 18 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Major Earthquakes in Türkiye The world has been faced with many natural disasters throughout his- tory. Among other natural disasters, particularly earthquakes, which oc- cur due to the movement of plates in the earth’s crust, cracks along fault lines or volcanic activity, pose a significant challenge to communities. Seismic waves that occur during earthquakes cause loss of life and col- lapse of buildings, trigger many natural disasters such as landslides and tsunamis, and have long-lasting negative sociological, economic, and psychological effects. European Union, INFORM Risk Index, 2024 Our country, which is located on the Alpine-Himalayan Belt, one of the most active earthquake belts in the world, has its share of these chal- lenges. This belt corresponds to an area where one-fifth of the total earthquakes in the world occur. According to the Risk Management Index 2024 (INFORM), which was created to measure risks in terms of disasters and humanitarian crises and to rank countries, Türkiye ranks 40th among 191 countries and is among the countries in the “medium risk” group with an index score of 4.8. In the same index report, Tür- kiye’s earthquake-related risk index was determined to be 9.3, which shows that our country has a risk rate at the highest level. THE TRAIL OF THE DISASTER: DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKES FROM THE PAST TO THE PRESENT | 19 AFAD, Disaster Management and Natural Disaster Statistics in Türkiye, 2018 In addition to facing humanitarian crises due to its geopolitical location, our country, which has many active faults due to its complex geologi- cal structure and geodynamic location, has encountered frequent earth- quakes throughout history. The most severe earthquakes in Türkiye’s history, recorded since the 1900s, have caused great social, economic and psychological destruction. 20 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS April 28, 1903 6,7 Muş About 3 thousand people lost their lives in the 6.7-magnitude earth- quake that occurred in Muş on April 28, 1903. The Muş Earthquake affect- ed not only the province where it occurred but also the surrounding provinces. December 4, 1905 6,8 Malatya In the 6.8-magnitude earthquake that occurred in Malatya on Decem- ber 4, 1905, many people lost their lives and many villages were severely damaged. THE TRAIL OF THE DISASTER: DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKES FROM THE PAST TO THE PRESENT | 21 August 9, 1912 7,3 Tekirdağ 2 thousand and 836 people lost their lives in the 7.3-magnitude Mürefte earthquake that occurred in Tekirdağ on August 9, 1912. In addition, hun- dreds of villages and residential areas were severely damaged. May 7, 1930 7,6 Hakkâri In the 7.6-magnitude earthquake that occurred on the Hakkari-Iran border on May 7, 1930, 2 thousand and 514 people lost their lives and 80 vil- lages were completely destroyed on the Turkish side of the border. Thou- sands of buildings were damaged in the earthquake that inflicted severe damage. December 27, 1939 7,9 Erzincan The 7.9-magnitude earthquake that occurred in Erzincan on December 27, 1939, resulted in the deaths of 33 thousand people and injuries to 100 thousand people. The Great Erzincan Earthquake, one of the most destruc- tive earthquakes in history, also de- stroyed 116 thousand buildings and caused massive financial losses. December 20, 1942 7 Tokat On December 20, 1942, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7 struck Tokat, resulting in significant destruction. 3 thousand people lost their lives, and 6 thousand 300 people were injured in the earthquake. 22 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS November 26, 1943 7,2 Kastamonu The 7.2-magnitude Ladik Earthquake that occurred in Kastamonu on No- vember 26, 1943, devastated the cen- tral portion of the North Anatolian Fault Line. Thousands of people died, five thousand people were injured, and a large number of people lost their homes. February 1, 1944 7,5 Bolu The 7.5-magnitude earthquake that struck the Gerede district of Bolu on February 1, 1944, was felt in many provinces and districts and resulted in a large number of casualties. Ap- proximately 7 thousand individuals lost their lives in the impacted areas, and over 20 thousand houses were damaged. August 17, 1949 6,7 Bingöl The earthquake of magnitude 6.7 that hit the Karlıova district of Bingöl on August 17, 1949, resulted in signifi- cant destruction and loss of life. 13 Ağustos 1951 6,9 Çankırı The 6.9-magnitude earthquake that occurred in the Kurşunlu district of Çankırı on August 13, 1951, caused heavy destruction in the region, in addition to the loss of life. THE TRAIL OF THE DISASTER: DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKES FROM THE PAST TO THE PRESENT | 23 March 18, 1953 7,2 Çanakkale A disastrous earthquake of magni- tude 7.2 that struck Çanakkale on March 18, 1953, resulted in the de- struction or severe damage of over 8 thousand structures and claimed the lives of 250 individuals. May 26, 1957 7,1 Bolu A 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck the Abant district of Bolu on May 26, 1957, resulting in numerous fatalities and significant structural damage to thousands of houses. August 19, 1966 6,9 Muş The 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck the Varto district of Muş on August 19, 1966, was among the most destructive earthquakes and claimed the lives of thousands of people. July 22, 1967 6,8 Sakarya The 6.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Sakarya on July 22, 1967, result- ed in the destruction of thousands of residences and the loss of 83 lives. 24 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS September 3, 1968 6,5 Bartın The 6.5-magnitude earthquake that occurred off the coast of Bartın on September 3, 1968, caused extensive damage, particularly in Bartın, with 29 people losing their lives as a result of the earthquake and thousands of buildings being damaged. March 28, 1970 7,2 Kütahya The 7.2-magnitude earthquake that struck Kütahya on March 28, 1970, completely levelled 3,500 houses and severely damaged 7 thousand buil- dings. The earthquake claimed the lives of 1,086 people and injured 1,260 others. September 6, 1975 6,6 Diyarbakır The Lice district of Diyarbakır was struck by a magnitude 6.6 earthqua- ke on September 6, 1975, which resul- ted in the destruction of 8 thousand 149 structures and the loss of 2 thou- sand 385 lives. November 24, 1976 7,5 Van The 7.5-magnitude Çaldıran earthqu- ake that struck Van on November 24, 1976, claimed the lives of 3,840 pe- ople and damaged roughly 10 thou- sand houses. The areas most severely affected by the earthquake in terms of loss of life and property were Mu- radiye and the neighbouring districts of Erciş and Özalp. In Çaldıran, whi- ch had a population of 3 thousand 304 people, 95% of the houses were completely levelled. THE TRAIL OF THE DISASTER: DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKES FROM THE PAST TO THE PRESENT | 25 March 13, 1992 6,8 Erzincan Thousands of residences sustained damage, and hundreds of lives were lost in the magnitude 6.8 earthquake that struck Erzincan on March 13, 1992. June 27, 1998 6,2 Adana A total of 145 people perished, and over 1,500 people sustained injuries in the 6.2-magnitude earthquake that occurred in Adana on June 27, 1998. August 17, 1999 7,4 Kocaeli The impact of the Gölcük earthquake, which occurred on August 17, 1999, extended beyond its epicentre in the Gölcük district of Kocaeli and had a duration of 45 seconds at a mag- nitude of 7.4. The suffering caused by the most prolonged earthquake in the history of Türkiye was felt throughout the country, and it affect- ed a large area from Ankara to Izmir, injuring nearly 25 thousand people and claiming the lives of 17 thousand 480 people. In addition, 285,211 resi- dences and 42,902 workplaces were damaged in the earthquake. 26 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS November 12, 1999 7,2 Düzce A 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Düzce on November 17, 1999, which lasted for 30 seconds and was caused by fractures in the eastern section of the 43-kilometer-long Düzce fault line on November 12, 1999. The earth- quake claimed the lives of 845 peo- ple and injured 2678 others. Further- more, thousands of residences and workplaces sustained damage. May 1, 2003 6,4 Bingöl The east of Türkiye was impacted by a 6.4-magnitude earthquake that took place in Bingöl on May 1, 2003. In the affected area, at least 176 peo- ple perished, and 625 buildings were damaged. October 23, 2011 7,2 Van A 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Van on October 23, 2011, with its ep- icentre in the Tabanlı village, and a 5.6 magnitude earthquake struck Van’s Edremit district on November 9, 2011, both causing heavy destruc- tion and widespread discontent. The earthquakes wreaked havoc on the region’s building stock and claimed the lives of a large number of people. The earthquakes on October 23 and November 9, 2011, killed 644 people and injured 1,966 others. THE TRAIL OF THE DISASTER: DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKES FROM THE PAST TO THE PRESENT | 27 January 24, 2020 6,8 Elazığ A 6.8-magnitude earthquake oc- curred on January 24, 2020, at a depth of 8.05 kilometres near the Çevrimtaş village of the Sivrice district of Elazığ, causing destruction and loss of life in the area. The earthquake claimed the lives of 41 people and injured over a thousand others. October 30, 2020 6,6 İzmir An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.6 struck the Seferihisar district of İzmir on October 30, 2020, resulting in the loss of 117 lives and injuries to 1,034 people. The earthquake took place at a depth of approximately 16.54 kilometres beneath the earth’s surface. Many aftershocks occurred following the earthquake. Chronologically speaking, our country experienced the “Disaster of the Century” on February 6, 2023, with an earthquake of magnitude 7.7 at 04:17 a.m. and another one nine hours later at a magnitude of 7.6, both with their epicentres in Kahramanmaraş, which were the most recent ones and affected a very large area. The earthquake felt in a region of 1.2 million square kilometres covering Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, and Syria and crossing our country’s borders was more severe than the 1939 Erzin- can and 1999 Marmara earthquakes in our Republic’s history. 02 The Disaster of the Century: Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes 30 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS THE DISASTER OF THE CENTURY: KAHRAMANMARAŞ EARTHQUAKES | 31 O n February 6, Türkiye awoke to a calamity seldom witnessed before. A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Kahramanmaraş at 04:17, with the epicentre in the Pazarcık district. On the same day, at 01.24 p.m., another 7.6-magnitude earthquake occurred, with the epicentre in the Elbistan district of Kahramanmaraş. Chapter 2 The Disaster of the Century: Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes 32 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Aside from their magnitude, the fact that these earthquakes occurred at such a shallow depth close to the earth’s surface amplified the devastat- ing power of earthquakes. The 7.7-magnitude earthquake occurred at 8.6 kilometres, and the 7.6-magnitude earthquake happened 7 kilometres below ground. The simultaneous occurrence of two earthquakes of this magnitude is unique in history. In addition to two very devastating earthquakes on the same day, af- tershocks of magnitude 6.4 and magnitude 6.5 occurred in Gaziantep’s Nurdağı and Islahiye districts. Following the several aftershocks felt on February 6, two of which were the primary earthquakes, almost tens of thousands of aftershocks were recorded. Gaziantep’s Nurdağı district 6.4 Gaziantep’s Islahiye district 6.5 On February 20, 2023, two further earthquakes struck, one with a mag- nitude of 6.4 in the Defne district of Hatay at 08.04 p.m. and another with a magnitude of 5.8 in Samandağ, Hatay, three minutes later. The 5.6-magnitude earthquake that struck Malatya on February 26, 2023, de- stroyed 29 buildings and injured 110 people. The most significant differences between the February 6 earthquakes and other earthquakes are the devastating force of the earthquake and the large region of impact. These earthquakes impacted the provinc- es of Kayseri, Elazığ, Kahramanmaraş, Gaziantep, Osmaniye, Malatya, Adıyaman, Adana, Diyarbakır, Kilis, Hatay, and Şanlıurfa. This means that these earthquakes, which cover an area of about 110 thousand square kilometres, affected about 14 million people. THE DISASTER OF THE CENTURY: KAHRAMANMARAŞ EARTHQUAKES | 33 The given area corresponds to the entire surface area of Germany. Or we can say that the earthquake struck an area almost three times the size of Denmark, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. Aside from Türkiye, the earthquakes on February 6 were felt in an area of 1.2 million square kilometres that included Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq, and Iran, causing severe destruction and loss of life in Syria. Furthermore, the earthquake occurred in a location characterised by se- vere winter weather. When the earthquake struck on February 6, numer- ous provinces experienced harsh weather and snowfall. 34 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Aside from the fact that two large-scale earthquakes occurred on the same day, the February 6 earthquakes were unprecedented in terms of the area and population affected by the earthquake. Türkiye is a country with practically all of its territory on faults and strong seismic movements. The North Anatolian Fault Line, the Eastern Anatolian Fault Line, and the Western Anatolian Fault Line all travel through Türkiye, and these faults have been the site of numerous earthquakes, the greatest of which was 7.9 magnitude. Türkiye, which has been hit by numerous devastating earthquakes, has increased its institutional capacity to battle disasters, particularly earth- quakes, in the previous 20 years. When the February 6 earthquakes are compared to other earthquakes that have hit Türkiye, their destructiveness becomes clearer. Prior to the February 6 earthquakes, the first thing that came to mind in Türkiye when someone mentioned an earthquake was the 1999 earth- quake. The February 6 earthquakes had a three-times bigger impact than the earthquake in question. Comparisons with other earthquakes in the last century will yield similar results. The earthquakes of February 6 occurred in a far larger area and caused far more catastrophic results than the Erzincan earthquake of 1939. These earthquakes’ effects are also incomparable to those of the 1943 Çankırı, 1953 Çanakkale, 1944 Gerede, 1966 Varto, 1967 Mudurnu, 1970 Gediz, and 1976 Muradiye earthquakes. It was stated that the February 6 earthquakes, which are almost one of a kind in terms of surface rup- ture, produced an energy density of 30 quadrillion joules. As a result of the earthquakes, the plates shifted by sliding, causing changes in coor- dinates. The Anatolian Plateau shifted more than three metres after the earthquakes, according to scientific research. Comparing the February 6 earthquakes to other earthquakes that have occurred throughout the world and are etched in people’s minds will also illustrate the scale of the disaster. The strongest earthquake meas- ured on Earth was the 9.5-magnitude earthquake that occurred on May 22, 1960, in Valdivia, Chile. The 9.2-magnitude earthquake that struck THE DISASTER OF THE CENTURY: KAHRAMANMARAŞ EARTHQUAKES | 35 Alaska on March 27, 1964; the 9.1 and 9.3-magnitude earthquakes that struck off the Indonesian island of Sumatra on December 26, 2004; and the 9.0-magnitude earthquakes that struck the Pacific Ocean epicentred in the Tohoku region of Japan on March 11, 2011 are also noteworthy. Although the indicated earthquakes appear to be greater than the Feb- ruary 6 earthquakes, when factors such as the area affected by the earth- quake, destructiveness, and lethality are taken into account, the Febru- ary 6 earthquakes rank fifth on the list of the 21st century’s deadliest earthquakes, following the 2004 Indonesia, 2010 Haiti, 2008 Sichuan, and 2005 Kashmir earthquakes. 36 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Evaluating the Disaster of the Century From Various Perspectives The earthquakes have impacted not only natural, historical, and cultural assets, but also education, agriculture, and livestock services, in addition to causing a significant number of casualties. While many schools in the earthquake-affected provinces were destroyed, many more school build- ings were damaged. In order to ensure that the education of students im- pacted by the disaster remained uninterrupted for an extended period of time, academic activities continued within the framework of the formal education system. In addition, support activities progress concurrently with formal education. Transfers to different cities are made available to students who are unable to continue their education in their current city of residence. THE DISASTER OF THE CENTURY: KAHRAMANMARAŞ EARTHQUAKES | 37 Rural regions and urban centres were profoundly impacted by the earth- quakes that occurred on February 6th. Sugar distribution was carried out for beekeeping farmers affected by the earthquake, as well as support payments to farmers’ accounts within the scope of agricultural support payments, in order to assist the countryside, which is the stronghold of agricultural production, get back on its feet quickly in this process. 38 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS On the other hand, some of the works that have existed for thousands of years in the Anatolia region were completely destroyed by the earth- quakes, while others suffered significant damage. Damage assessment studies have been started on the damaged structures and the restoration process has been initiated with minimal intervention. THE DISASTER OF THE CENTURY: KAHRAMANMARAŞ EARTHQUAKES | 39 Paying attention to the economic dimension of the disaster, it is seen that emergency aid and expenditures made to the earthquake zone, de- bris removal activities, insurance payments, income loss payments, and all other support and expenditures lead to a great loss in the national income. Search and Rescue Efforts Following the Earthquake According to the Türkiye Disaster Response Plan (TAMP), Kahraman- maraş earthquakes have been declared as a fourth-level alarm. Disas- ter groups in all provinces have been brought together based on TAMP. While all AFAD state officials were notified, all teams, including search and rescue teams, were dispatched to the area. 40 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS THE DISASTER OF THE CENTURY: KAHRAMANMARAŞ EARTHQUAKES | 41 42 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS During the meetings with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, internation- al assistance in the field of urban search and rescue operations was re- quested through the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC). In addition, while AFAD provincial directorates were put on alert, all teams, especially search and rescue teams, were directed to the region. The teams sent to the region were transported by the Turkish General Staff on two planes in the morning. As of 10:00 on February 6, 2023, offers of assistance have started to ar- rive from many countries, especially the International Search and Res- cue Advisory Group (INSARAG) team from the Netherlands, Azerbaijan and the United Kingdom. The State Information Coordination Center, which operates within the Presidential Complex, has continued its ac- tivities effectively since the beginning of the crisis. THE DISASTER OF THE CENTURY: KAHRAMANMARAŞ EARTHQUAKES | 43 The AFAD Operation Center has been working intensively for twen- ty-four hours since the earthquake occurred. In addition, a large number of search and rescue teams consisting of AFAD, PAK, JAK, JOAK, the Coast Guard, DAK, the search and rescue ship Güven, the Fire Depart- ment, Tahlisiye (Rescue Services), the Ministry of National Education, NGOs and international search and rescue teams have also worked in the region. 44 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who visited and examined the earth- quake victims in Kahramanmaraş, Hatay, Adana, Gaziantep, Osmani- ye, Kilis, Adıyaman, Malatya, Diyarbakır and Şanlıurfa affected by the earthquakes, received up-to-date information from the authorities on this issue. THE DISASTER OF THE CENTURY: KAHRAMANMARAŞ EARTHQUAKES | 45 03 The Türkiye National Risk Shield Model 48 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS THE TÜRKIYE NATIONAL RISK SHIELD MODEL | 49 I n order to provide academic and technical contributions to the studies that will increase the city and community resistance to all risks and threats that have the potential to affect our country in Türkiye, especially in the disaster zone after earthquakes, the Tür- kiye National Risk Shield Model has been created under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Within the scope of the Türkiye Na- tional Risk Shield Model, efforts began on March 3, 2023. Field studies, technical examinations, scientific meetings and workshops were held. The Türkiye National Risk Shield Model was implemented under the auspices of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and under the chairman- ship of the Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change of the period, Mr. Murat Kurum, to determine the monitoring, manage- ment, rehabilitation and reconstruction policies of the process covering all stages of disaster management before, at the moment of disaster and after the disaster. This model, which was established to provide sustain- able disaster management in Türkiye, consists of a Vice President, an Advisory Board, a General Secretariat and thirteen sub-comittees. These sub-committees are: Support Services and Social Policy Committee; Earthquake and Earth Sciences Committee; Cities Recovery and Con- struction Committee; Urban and Rural Infrastructure Committee; Urban and Rural Transformation Committee; Geographic Information Systems and Smart Cities Committee; Historical and Cultural Heritage Commit- tee; Damage Assessment Committee; Debris and Waste Management Committee; Spatial Planning Committee; New Building Technologies Committee; Climate-Friendly Green Transformation Committee; Crisis Management and Communication Committee. With these committees, the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change acts with the understanding of establishing sustainable, climate-friendly and disaster-resistant cities that cover every stage of the disaster management process and makes a great contribution to all studies in scientific and technological terms. These committees, which are critical to achieving the goal of resilient cities, are made up of numer- ous representatives, including academics from geology to civil engineer- ing, architecture to sociology, and ministry bureaucrats. Chapter 3 The Türkiye National Risk Shield Model 50 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS The purpose of the Türkiye National Risk Shield Model has been deter- mined as “to provide academic and technical contribution to the works to be carried out in the disaster zone by the board established within the scope of the model on environment, urbanism and climate change issues.” The contributions of this model have become crucial for our country, which is susceptible to earthquakes across the majority of its landmass, to be prepared for earthquakes and all other disasters caused by the climate crisis, such as floods, landslides and fires, for improving the country’s disaster recovery capacity in every sense, and for the crea- tion of disaster-resistant cities and the social structure. The committees make academic and technical contributions to the efforts that will be made in disaster areas and throughout our country on environmental, urban, and climate change issues; they continue to provide academic support through their knowledge and experience in the field. 13 COMMITTEES ESTABLISHED WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE RISK SHIELD PLAN Minister of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change Kurum: We have designated sub-committees to make our city resilient to disasters. Support Services and Social Policies Committee 1 Earthquake and Earth Sciences Committee 2 Damage Assessment Committee 3 Debris and Waste Management Committee 4 Cities Recovery and Construction Committee 5 Urban and Rural Transformation Committee 6 Spatial Planning Committee 7 New Building Technologies Committee 8 Geographic Information Systems and Smart Cities Committee 9 Climate-Friendly Green Transformation Committee 10 Urban and Rural Infrastructure Committee 11 Historical and Cultural Heritage Committee 12 Crisis Management and Communication Committee 13 THE TÜRKIYE NATIONAL RISK SHIELD MODEL | 51 Activities Undertaken by the National Risk Shield Dolmabahçe Meeting: Announcement of the Board to the Public (March 3, 2023) Under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Türkiye National Risk Shield Model was established on March 3, 2023, to coun- teract any risks and threats that may impact our country. The first board meeting, which lasted over seven hours, was very fruitful and yielded beneficial results, and the National Risk Shield Model was announced to the public. Another significant outcome of the meeting was the addition of the Disaster Management Policies Board to the nine existing policy boards of the Presidency. This decision signifies the elevation of disaster management to the highest level of public policy in our country. Gaziantep Meeting: Formation of Sub-Committees (March 10, 2023) The second meeting of the Türkiye National Risk Shield Model was held on March 10, 2023, in Gaziantep, chaired by Murat Kurum, then Minister of Environment, Urbanisation, and Climate Change, with the participa- tion of all members of the 13 committees. The Gaziantep meeting was particularly noteworthy because it institutionalised the model while also taking place in the earthquake area. This meeting resulted in the formation of 13 sub-committees, as well as the determination of their goals and operational principles. 52 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Earthquake Area Field Inspection (March 30-April 1, 2023) The committees, whose institutional structure had been established, conducted technical field investigations in the earthquake area from March 30 to April 1. Dolmabahçe Evaluation Meeting (April 7, 2023) A comprehensive evaluation meeting was held with the members of the Türkiye National Risk Shield Model Board at the Dolmabahçe Work- ing Office on April 7, 2023, presided over by Chairperson Murat Kurum, who served as the Minister of Environment, Urbanisation, and Climate Change at the time. As a result of the meeting, which evaluated the ac- tivities carried out since the establishment of the board, it was decided to hold a workshop on April 26, and Minister Murat Kurum announced the decisions to the public. THE TÜRKIYE NATIONAL RISK SHIELD MODEL | 53 These decisions are as follows: • Expansion of early warning stations for all types of disasters in 81 provinces, • Increasing the availability of disaster information courses in second- ary, undergraduate, and graduate education levels and implementa- tion of these efforts in order to raise awareness among our citizens, • Consolidating all communications through AFAD’s coordination and promptly conducting efficiency assessments on fixed and mo- bile base stations in our urban areas, • Implementation of a regulation making it mandatory for a public au- dit to be carried out in land surveys, • If necessary, taking the steps required to make the use of raft founda- tions mandatory in some areas, • Decisive implementation of the planning process that includes all activities, including closing areas in stream beds and areas with a high risk of liquefaction in Türkiye to construction or reducing floors in these areas, 54 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS • Utilisation of a wide range of new technologies during the demoli- tion, relocation, retrofitting, and reconstruction of public service buildings situated in risky areas, • Development of unmanned aerial and ground vehicles capable of ac- cessing and even navigating in buildings during disasters, • Preparation of Türkiye’s building inventory and completion of dam- age assessment and risk assessment, • Allowing all institutions to benefit from this information through the digital database, • Implementation of the building identity certificate system through regular building inspections, • Ensuring that all buildings in Türkiye undergo regular inspections, • Increasing the use of environmentally friendly, zero-waste, ener- gy-efficient, and climate-sensitive building materials in 81 provinces, • Implementation of a new disaster-focused financial structure and a new incentive system to make Türkiye a disaster-resilient country, • Making professional liability insurance and competent engineering compulsory. Istanbul Workshop (April 26/27, 2023) To achieve more efficient and applicable results, a two-day work- shop was held in Istanbul on April 26-27, 2023, chaired by Fatma Varank, Vice Chairperson of the Türkiye National Risk Shield Model Board and Deputy Minister of Environment, Urbanisation, and Climate Change. The workshop was organised in the form of round tables, mixed committee meetings, and board meetings, and it produced a very extensive report. THE TÜRKIYE NATIONAL RISK SHIELD MODEL | 55 During the workshop, all committees made presentations regarding their efforts and draft decisions. In addition, the Support Services and Social Policy Committee held a working meeting, and the following working issues were identified as priorities for the secretariat to imple- ment: 1. All radio and other communication systems required to establish an uninterrupted and secure communication infrastructure should be deployed across the country to respond more effectively to disasters. 2. It is necessary to set up land, sea, and air routes, as well as alternate routes, for the immediate transfer of disaster response teams, ve- hicles, and equipment, as well as basic life materials such as food, supplies, and medicines to disaster areas, and these routes should be shared with institutions with authority and duty in the field of disaster. 3. The relevant law enforcement agencies should prepare implemen- tation plans from the start of the disaster to ensure the safety of de- bris, housing, and service areas in the disaster zone, especially the entrances and exits to and from the disaster area. 56 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS 4. In order to increase the effectiveness of rescue efforts, the fire de- partment should be authorised locally in this regard, local capacity should be strengthened to train more search and rescue volunteers, and a local application/software should be developed to coordinate search and rescue teams. 5. In order to meet urgent nutritional needs in case of a disaster, the necessary budget should be allocated to the authorised institution, and the nutritional capacity of institutions should be increased for disasters. 6. Throughout the country, it is necessary to carry out risk analysis of buildings belonging to all service units, particularly health and edu- cation institutions in provinces with high disaster risk, render them earthquake resistant, keep stocks of vaccines, medicines and equip- ment compulsorily to provide primary emergency health services at the local level, and monitor stock levels with a central system and plan where and how they can be delivered to the healthcare institu- tion in need. 7. Taking into account disasters of all sizes, it is necessary to establish the infrastructure services of pre-designated shelter sites, determine camp management standards for these areas (social facilities, secu- rity, water supply, sanitation, etc.) and implement these standards in the event of a disaster. 8. All public institutions and non-governmental organisations respon- sible for determining the need for humanitarian aid and its contin- ued and fair distribution in the disaster area should be ensured to work in coordination through a shared system. 9. In disaster response and recovery phases, information on vulnerable individuals with pre-existing information should be shared with rel- evant service groups. 10. In order for education and training to continue without disruption for the 2023-2024 academic year, integrated container/tent class- rooms and playgrounds need to be established in temporary accom- modation areas. THE TÜRKIYE NATIONAL RISK SHIELD MODEL | 57 11. Courses on disaster awareness and preparedness for disasters should be included in primary and secondary education curricula, starting with pre-school education, by the Ministry of National Education. Additionally, subjects related to disaster management in the fields of logistics, firefighting, building and construction should be included in the curriculum in vocational and technical Anatolian high schools. 12. In order to ensure social and economic development in the disas- ter area and reduce workforce loss, businesses should be supported through projects and grants, and employment opportunities should be created by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the Turkish Employment Agency (İŞKUR) for the temporary or perma- nent employment of people who have lost their jobs and/or have no jobs after the disaster. 13. In order to ensure an integrated risk- and society-based disaster management system, it is important to transform the AFAD Presi- dency, which is the institution responsible for coordination in times of disaster, into a strengthened and authorised institution directly affiliated with the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye. Working Meeting (08-09 May 2023) At the Türkiye National Risk Shield Model Workshop, the Board decided to hold working meetings in Ankara to finalise the recommendations. Pursuant to this decision, the Board’s recommendations were settled at the working meetings held on May 08-09, 2023, at the facilities of İlbank. 04 Solidarity After the Earthquake 60 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS SOLIDARITY AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE | 61 A fter the February 6 earthquakes centred in Kahramanmaraş, which inflicted profound collective grief and was described as the “disaster of the century,” a national mourning period of seven days was declared, and our flag was lowered to half- staff throughout our country and foreign representatives until sunset on Sunday, February 12, 2023. In order to carry out the efforts in the region faster and more efficiently, based on Article 119 of the Constitution, a state of emergency was declared for 3 months, covering 10 provinces in the earthquake zone; a fourth-level alarm, which includes the call for in- ternational assistance, was declared; and Türkiye’s Disaster Response Plan (TAMP) was activated with an emergency code. Additionally, a call for international assistance in urban search and rescue was issued through the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC). The international community did not remain insensitive to our deep sorrow and shared our grief. Since the first day of the earthquake, world leaders have published condolence messages, expressing their deep sor- row for the disaster of the century and emphasising solidarity with the Turkish people. In response to the fourth-level alarm declaration, which includes the participation of the entire national capacity in the efforts and the call for international assistance when necessary, many countries dispatched thousands of search and rescue teams and medical personnel to our country. Chapter 4 Solidarity After the Earthquake 62 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Members of the UN General Assembly observed a minute of silence for those who lost their lives in the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria; many state and government officials, international organisations, academics, artists, athletes, journalists, NGO representatives and media figures shared messages of support for Türkiye on social media. National and international campaigns have also been organised to unite people together with a shared sense of solidarity and alleviate the wounds inflicted by this calamity, which is considered an exceptional natural disaster with its magnitude and destructiveness, from the first moments of which all our state institutions have been mobilised for our nation. The campaigns aimed to inform the public accurately, engage in strate- gic communication efforts with countries that demonstrated their sup- port for us during that difficult process, raise awareness across all seg- ments of society about the profound impacts of the earthquake, sustain the spirit of solidarity, assist the recovery of our society deeply affected by the earthquake’s devastating psychological consequences, and estab- lish a communicative bridge fostering a shared sentiment between the east and west of Türkiye. National Aid Campaigns “Let My Home Be Your Home” Campaign The ”Let My Home Be Your Home” campaign was launched to contribute to the solution of the housing problem of citizens affected by the Kah- ramanmaraş earthquakes that occurred on February 6, 2023. A nation- wide system has been established, allowing benevolent citizens willing to open their vacant homes to earthquake victims to offer their residenc- es to those in need, either without expecting any fees or at a discounted rate, through a trustworthy campaign. People who were unable to offer housing were given the opportunity to give earthquake victims shelter support in exchange for cash donations. It was planned to provide the earthquake victims with the accommodations that the campaign made available. Coordinating the campaign were the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of In- dustry and Technology, and AFAD; the ministries provided the required explanations and promotion. The Presidency’s Directorate of Communi- SOLIDARITY AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE | 63 cations also supported the promotion of the campaign and the dissemi- nation of press releases and social media postings from pertinent minis- tries, as well as public service announcements, promotional films, social media content and outdoor activities. 64 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS “Türkiye United as One Heart’’ Campaign “Türkiye United as One Heart” is a social aid campaign that was organ- ised on the joint broadcast of television and radio for earthquake vic- tims affected by the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes. On February 15, 2023, a live digital, local, regional, national, and international aid cam- paign was broadcast on 213 television channels and 562 radio stations. The donors made donations through bank transfers and SMS. More than 9 million SMS donations were made during the campaign, totalling 115 billion 597 million and 28 thousand TL in pledges. The largest donation, of 30 billion TL, came from the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye, while Ziraat Bank also contributed to the campaign with a 20 billion TL donation. SOLIDARITY AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE | 65 The slogan of the “Türkiye United as One Heart” campaign, launched with the understanding that the Turkish people can overcome all kinds of difficulties with solidarity and cooperation, emphasises the sense of unity and solidarity. The campaign sought to demonstrate that state-na- tion solidarity and a collective mobilisation of goodness can assist our country in overcoming this disaster. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres sent a video mes- sage for the “Türkiye United as One Heart” campaign, and President Re- cep Tayyip Erdoğan also joined the campaign by phone and said, “Our goal is to start delivering housing where our people can live safely and peacefully in place of every destroyed building within a year. ‘’Inshallah, we’ll get through this test together.’’ 66 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS REVENUE TYPE AMOUNT TÜRKİYE UNITED AS ONE HEART 91,661,012,713 TL RENTAL ASSISTANCE 29,943,719 TL AFAD MARKET 11,278,241 TL ZAKAT CAMPAIGN 1,263,001,567 TL EARTHQUAKE CAMPAIGN 26,594,315,762 TL INTEREST YIELD 9,143,638,165 TL TOTAL REVENUE : 128,703,190,167 TL TOTAL EXPENDITURE : 79,263,585,333 TL BANK DEPOSITS (CASH): 49,439,604,833 TL INFORMATION ON CAMPAIGN REVENUES 29.01.2024 SOLIDARITY AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE | 67 International Aid Campaigns The “We Stand With Türkiye” Campaign Based on global solidarity and aid mobilisation following the earth- quakes that struck Kahramanmaraş on February 6, the Presidency’s Directorate of Communications launched the “We Stand With Türkiye” campaign for the international public. The primary message of “We Stand With Türkiye” is to highlight the in- ternational community’s global solidarity in the wake of the disaster, to point out the fact that our country, leading the way in humanitarian di- plomacy, offering assistance to those in need in various crisis regions, acting as a stabilising power, sets an example for global solidarity in the face of the current disaster, and to fortify the spirit of international sol- idarity. The campaign was launched in 18 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Nether- lands, Hungary, Mexico, Canada, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Chi- na, Japan, Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan. The campaign highlighted the significance of the global solidarity displayed by countries that sent aid, medical personnel, search and rescue teams, and messages of support to Türkiye immediately following the disaster of the century. Through- out the campaign, visuals and information bearing the slogan “We Stand With Türkiye” were disseminated across 18 countries’ traditional and digital media channels. These slogans emphasised the severity of the disaster, the extended aid, and the solidarity with Türkiye. Informative content on the nature of the disaster of the century, scientif- ic data and the activities carried out immediately after the disaster were published on the campaign websites”https://seninleyizturkiye.com/” and “https://westandwithturkiye.com” in Turkish and English.https:// seninleyizturkiye.com/https://westandwithturkiye.com/ To promote solidarity in the wake of the disaster, outdoor advertise- ments were also displayed on LED mobile trucks and in significant squares like Times Square in New York. Moreover, announcements bear- ing the slogan “We Stand with Türkiye” were published in the countries’ major newspapers. 68 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS UN Secretary-General António Guterres, noted actors Morgan Freeman, Aamir Khan, and Reshat Strik, as well as singers Jamala, Yasmin Levy, and Della Miles, and athlete Matwe Middelkoop, all posted videos on various channels expressing their support for Türkiye. SOLIDARITY AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE | 69 70 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS “Together for The People in Türkiye and Syria” International Do- nors’ Conference The EU Commission and the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU launched the International Donors’ Conference “Together for the People in Türkiye and Syria” on March 20, 2023, in Brussels, to support the earthquake-affected people in Türkiye and Syria. 65 countries and 26 international organisations and financial institutions participated in the conference, which was addressed online by our President and at- tended in person by then Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, who delivered a speech at the beginning of the pledging session and held bilateral meetings on the margins of the conference. SOLIDARITY AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE | 71 At the conference, an announcement was made about a total commit- ment of €6 billion, of which €1.7 billion took the form of grants and €4.3 billion in the form of loans with favourable terms. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs follows up on these commitments in cooperation with the relevant institutions. Also, it contacts states, international organi- sations, non-governmental organisations and individuals who wish to contribute to reconstruction efforts. 72 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS SOLIDARITY AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE | 73 Disaster of the Century’s First Anniversary: Reconstruction and Recovery Efforts Türkiye’s Mobilization for Rebuilding and Recovery 05 76 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS 5.1. Public Security and Scrutiny TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 77 Public safety and scrutiny are essential for the peace of the residents in the earthquake site and the maintenance the public order during and af- ter the earthquake. In response, the state of the Republic of Türkiye took measures necessary following the series of earthquakes that hit Kahra- manmaraş as an epicentre on February 6, 2023, and secured the citizens and their properties. First and foremost, a state of emergency (SoE) was declared on Febru- ary 8, 2023 for three months in the earthquake site in line with article 119 of the Constitution to expedite search and rescue efforts and subse- quent actions, with a view to responding to urgent and vital needs for supplies, demolishing the buildings at risk, and restricting the entry into the building zones in peril. As part of the state of emergency, some assignments including that of Governor of Kayseri to Kahmranmaraş, Governor of Mersin to Hatay, Governor of Mardin to Gaziantep, Governor of Tunceli to Adıyaman, Governor of Bingöl to Osmaniye and Governor of Sivas to Malatya were 78 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS made to reinforce the regional administration. The General Staff de- ployed two aircrafts to transport the assigned officials to the site. In the similar vein, individual crisis response desks were formed for each province and town, and rural and central officers took concerted actions within the scope of the crisis response desks to meet the fundamental needs, and secure people and their properties. This helped public security and scrutiny carried out in cooperation with all the governmental organizations, and the requests of the citizens were communicated to the mandated organizations and response desks via the Presidency’s Communication Centre (CIMER), and the principle of coordinated efforts was quickly adopted through effective means of communication. To this end, CIMER rolled out an “Earthquake Emergency” button at 8:30 a.m. on February 6 in the aftermath of the quake with the epicen- tre being Kahramanmaraş. The requests from the quake-stricken people were drawn up in over 50,000 EXCEL reports for 11 provinces and com- municated to the corresponding organizations and agencies. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 79 The scrutiny efforts, which were conducted in an effective fashion in the aftermath of the quake, were relentlessly sustained as part of damage assessments. Under the actions taken by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, damage assessments were made for the buildings with 6,609.408 detached sections and 850,000 detached sections of the buildings including 680,000 residential buildings and 170,000 workplaces were declared untenable and heavily damaged. 80 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS The heavily-damaged buildings, which were declared so based on the assessments, were sealed off to prevent potential disasters that may be potentially caused by aftershocks and to secure the people. The damage assessments were conducted as per the AFAD Circular Letter under the supervision of academics, subject matter experts, and agencies. The post-quake coordinated efforts of scrutiny played a similar role in public security, as well. Deployed by the Ministry of Interior and the Min- istry of Defence, the law enforcement agents made a great deal of efforts to eliminate potential concerns for security in the earthquake-stricken site. To this end, the Earthquake Search & Rescue (ESR) Corps were dis- patched to the site starting from day one of the quake. Over 3000 Turk- ish soldiers played a part in search and rescue efforts upon requests from AFAD on day one. The number of corps involved in search and rescue ef- forts rose to 31 on February 8, 2023, day three following the earthquake. Similarly, 17 battalions of the 2nd Army and 19 bivouac battalions of the 2nd Army were immediately dispatched to the site to establish the pub- lic security. The number of the battalions assigned to establish the pub- lic security in the cities of tents/containers built in the earthquake site accounted for 57 on February 28, 2023. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 81 Playing an influential role in societal peace and tranquillity, the Turkish Armed Forces were present in the provinces, towns, and villages for 24/7, sparing no break to respond to all the fundamental needs of the survi- vors including security in particular. The air-sea corridor, where 5,003 staff members were assigned for the security and scrutiny of the earthquake site, was mobilized in the first two days following the earthquake with 50 aircrafts, 31 helicopters and 8 vessels available in the inventory of the Turkish Armed Forces despite the weather-related challenges. 82 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Accordingly, the air corridor was reinforced by AUAVs and UAVs, and the photos taken by the Göktürk Satellite were communicated to the minis- tries and departments, particularly the Ministry of Environment, Urban- isation and Climate Change to make sure that they could follow up what was going on as closely as possible. For the sake of public security, nearly 21,000 people were evacuated by the Turkish Armed Forces from the earthquake site by air, sea, and land to settle in other provinces and fundamental humanitarian supplies were transported by air to 311 villages in a total of 32 districts via İncirlik. Among other key law enforcement agencies that backed the efforts for public order in the earthquake site were the Turkish Police under the Ministry of Interior, Gendarmerie General Command and Coast Guard Command in addition to the Turkish Armed Forces under the Ministry of National Defence. To this end, 16, 421 gendarmerie forces, 6,148 police officers, and 391 Coast Guard officers were deployed to Kahramanmaraş, Hatay, Malatya, Gaziantep, Adıyaman, Diyarbakır, Şanlıurfa, Kilis, Ada- na and Osmaniye in the first two days that followed the earthquake. 18 vehicles, one CG corvette and two helicopters of the Coast Guard Com- mand also backed the search, rescue, and evacuation operations since day one following the earthquake. The number of law enforcement forc- es deployed to the site by the Ministry of Interior netted over 130,000 as of February 11, including 70,000 police officers, 60,000 gendarmerie forces and 1,000 coast guard officers. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 83 In the wake of the earthquake, the Police Search and Rescue teams, which are the professional teams of the Turkish National Police, took an active part in the search and rescue operations across 11 provinces hit by the earthquake, and the search and rescue operations were followed by the efforts of the police officers to secure the streets and avenues that went silent after the earthquake, regardless of their shift. The Police Department secured the people against any form of public disorder through motorised and foot patrols, and took effective actions for security against looting and thefts around the rubble. Police teams performed ID checks and searched vehicles on the grounds of possible security threats at points of search set up at various locations of the cities hit by the earthquake. Having checked the debris of the buildings collapsed by the quake, the law enforcement agents were deterrent against potential security inci- dents. 84 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS The self-sacrifice of the law enforcement agents and the sentimental bond they forged with the survivors who led a life under challenging circumstances following the earthquake added to the elimination of the post-quake trauma. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 85 Kapsayıcı Sağlık Hizmetleri 5.2. Inclusive Healthcare Services 86 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS First Response to the Earthquake 14 million people were affected by the earthquakes that hit 11 provinc- es including Kahmranmaraş as the epicentre on February 6, 2023. The report of the initial earthquake that took place at 4:17 a.m. was com- municated by SAKOM to all the units at 4:35 a.m. and the teams of the Ministry of Health were quickly deployed to the site despite the winter conditions. The first UMKE team and the first ambulance from another town made it to Malatya at 7:15 a.m., to Hatay at 7:45 a.m., to Adıyaman at 8:00 a.m. and to Kahramanmaraş at 8.02 a.m. Since the early days that followed the earthquake, UMKE and ambulance teams, emergency response teams that provided mobile healthcare ser- vices in tents and mobile facilities started delivering health services to the survivors. 1,810 ambulances, 245 UMKE vehicles, 16 air ambulances and 15,883 UMKE and emergency healthcare providers were deployed in 11 provinces. Deployed from all over the country to the earthquake site, UMKE and 112 Emergency Medical Teams played a part in search and rescue efforts and establishment and operation of emergency response teams, and field screening. 1,810 245 UMKE Vehicles Ambulances 16 Air Ambulances 15,883 UMKE and Emergency Medical Staff First Response in Earthquake Source: Ministry of Health TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 87 88 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS The Largest Patient Transportation Operation in History All the governmental organizations took concerted action and ran the largest patient transportation operation in history, dispatching a total of 51,665 patients and injured persons. ANKARA KONYA ANTALYA MERSİN ADANA İZMİR BURSA İSTANBUL KAYSERİ 2,580 Victims By Air 48,758 Victims By Road 327 Victims By Sea We transferred; from the earthquake zone. Source: Ministry of Health TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 89 90 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Aleyna Ölmez: An Iconic Earthquake Survivor Saved 248 hours following the earthquake in Kahramanmaraş, 17-year-old Aleyna Ölmez was transported by air ambulance to Ankara for her treatment. Having spent 11 days under the rubble and treated at the Paediatric Hospital of the Faculty of Medicine of Ankara University, Aleyna was visited by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and First Lady Emine Erdoğan. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 91 92 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS 138,000 Healthcare Professionals on the Ground While 113,759 healthcare professionals had worked for the healthcare providers that report to the Ministry of Health across the earthquake site prior to the earthquake, a total of 138,190 professionals including 15,883 UMKE and Emergency Medical Services staff, 21,204 physicians, 62,590 healthcare professionals, and 38,513 support staff were deployed from all over the country in the aftermath of the earthquake. 15,883 21,204 62,590 38,513 UMKE and Emergency Medical Services Staff Physicians Healthcare Staff Support Staff 138 Thousand Healthcare Personnel In The Field Source: Ministry of Health TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 93 94 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 95 Logistics Management Logistic warehouses were built for the supply of medication, medical supplies, and equipment and the Disaster Supply and Logistics Manage- ment Software was upgraded. Vaccines, medication, antiserum and consumables were uninterrupted- ly delivered to the site starting from day one, and all medical supplies donated by local and international partners were checked before being delivered to the provinces designated as a logistics hub. 96 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Primary Examination Services In an effort to safeguard public health and prevent infectious dis- eases in in the earthquake site, primary health care services were particularly emphasized and over 18 million primary health care visits were paid from February 6 February to October 27. 27. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 97 Rural Healthcare Screening The rural earthquake sites were provided with healthcare services, screening, and medication. Nearly 3 million examinations were per- formed from February 6 to October 27 as part of the rural healthcare screening efforts. Kahramanmaraş Gaziantep Adıyaman Hatay 442,833 233,026 469,073 772,703 Data from February 6-October 27. NUMBER OF PEOPLE TREATED IN THE VILLAGES OF THE 4 PROVINCES MOST AFFECTED BY THE DISASTER; Source: Ministry of Health 98 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Medical Follow-Up of Infants and Children in the Earthquake Site Surviving the earthquake, over 170,000 newborns and over 2.3 million infants and children were checked for a follow-up, with over 168,000 SMA screenings from February 6 to October 27. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 99 Follow-Ups of Babies & Children (February 6-October 27) PROVINCES BABIES BORN Adana Adıyaman Diyarbakır Gaziantep Hatay Kahramanmaraş Kilis Malatya Osmaniye Şanlıurfa TOTAL 25,729 25,678 359,759 4,916 4,844 81,911 24,957 24,947 364,331 36,367 35,666 491,000 13,608 13,340 153,021 9,915 9,783 138,200 2,706 2,599 34,270 4,969 4,919 63,498 6,424 6,420 86,997 40,889 40,634 536,984 170,480 168,830 2,309,971 SMA SCANS FOLLOW-UPS OF BABIES & CHILDREN Source: Ministry of Health Vaccination The emergency response to the provinces hit by the earthquake was fol- lowed by vaccination efforts intended to prevent a potential outbreak. Tetanus vaccine, MMR, rabies and hepatitis-B vaccines as well as infant and childhood vaccines were compulsorily administered to the wound- ed people dug out of the rubble as part of the Expanded Immunisation Programme and to all staff members involved in search and rescue op- erations as a precautionary measure. 1.656.562 vaccines were stocked up on the ground as of the first month that followed the earthquake. 100 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Environmental Health in the Earthquake Site Environmental health teams performed checks over grid systems, gauged levels of chlorine and collected samples at the sites with a grid, and tankers were sanitised by chlorine at the sites without a grid, and sanitary gaps were established before actions were taken according- ly. 88.13% of the samples collected between February 6 and October 27 turned out to contain optimal residue of chlorine. %88,13 211,374 Residual Chlorine Rate Appropriate Measured Residual Chlorine Samples 186,281 Samples with Sufficient Residual Chlorine 25,093 Samples with Insufficient Residual Chlorine Source: Ministry of Health TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 101 Actions Against Communicable Diseases and Risks for Outbreaks Actions were taken for 24/7 to pinpoint healthcare risks and check the suitability of drinking and utility water for consumption and sanitary conditions, as well as presence of any vectors and rodents, solid and medical waste, humanitarian and medical needs, and other potential risk factors in temporary accommodation sites built in the provinces hit by the earthquake and respond to them accordingly. 102 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Communicable Disease Surveillance and Early Alert System (IZCI) Helping carry out procedures on the ground (case review, field analy- sis, contact analysis etc.) and report cases diagnosed by healthcare ser- vice providers across the country in an electronic form and in a full-time mode, IZCI enabled to instantly follow up the cases of communicable diseases and outbreak risks. Source: Ministry of Health Laboratory Services Rolled out by the Ministry of Health, mobile laboratories performed checks on a regular basis and managed to keep risks for outbreaks and diseases under control. The reports of diseases and complaints commu- nicated by all examination teams were analysed along with the growth of cases. The mobile laboratory equipped with the certificate of Biosafety Lev- el 2+ began to operate in Kahramanmaraş on February 8, 2023 and in Hatay on February 16, 2023. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 103 Counter Measures Against Outbreaks 20,000 330 680 liters of disinfectant Boxes of chlorine tablets kg granulated chlorine 896,000 N95 masks 2,400,000 surgical masks Source: Ministry of Health 20,000 litres of sanitizer, 896,000 N95 masks, 330 boxes of chlorine tab- lets, 2.4 million surgical masks, 680 kilograms of granular chlorine were initially delivered to counter the risk of outbreaks in the earthquake site. Additionally, lice, scabies, and fungus medicines and biotin tablets were dispatched to uninterruptedly treat the infants with biotinidase defi- ciency. Medicines required for the regular treatment of local tuberculo- sis patients were dispatched. 104 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Pharmaceutical Services Medicine and medical supplies to be administered right after the earth- quake were delivered and logistics warehouses were built for medical supplies, consumables, and medicines, and Adana and Gaziantep were designated as logistics hubs. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 105 Pharmaceutical services were rendered in the tents built in hospital courtyards, and field hospitals were erected in coordination with the chambers of pharmacy. Legal reforms were introduced to roll out mo- bile pharmacies and provide free medicines via field pharmacies across the earthquake site. Located in Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Adıyaman and Malatya, which were hit the hardest by the earthquake, one out of every three pharmacies began to operate 8 days after the earthquake. The people hit by the earthquake were provided with means to access their prescribed medicines over the counter and the medicines inscribed on the List of Chronic Diseases were supplied. Medicines and medical supplies were provided for the vessels named Bayraktar and Sancaktar through inventory and coordination manage- ment. 106 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Psychosocial Support Services In-person interviews were held on the ground with the assistance of 400 physicians in cooperation with the Ministry of Family and Social Services and the Ministry of Health as part of the psychosocial support services rendered across the earthquake site. To this end, psychiatric ex- amination services were provided to nearly 45,000 people in the first three months that followed the earthquake. Support Service for Special Children The Support Service for Special Children, which is an application that one is free to download on a mobile phone, has provided the children and adolescents affected by the quake with mental health support ser- vices through nearly 300 volunteering physicians. Rolled out on February 14, 2023, the application is run by operators on duty for 24/7, making appointments with volunteering paediatric and adolescent mental health specialists and helping them offer a video ses- sion at the time of appointment. The application helped the surviving children receive long-term support from the same physician. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 107 Support for Children with Autism, Down Syndrome, and Other Special Needs Adversely affected by the earthquake, the children with autism, down syndrome and other special needs were provided with psychological support, and assistance to re-adapt to life through the services rendered by education specialists in the cities of containers. Oral and Dental Health Services in the Earthquake Site 15 dentists and 15 medical assistants were deployed to the oral and den- tal health centres situated in Kahramanmaraş, Hatay, and Adıyaman. Two oral and dental health vehicles in Hatay and one in Kahramanmaraş began to operate in the tent cities. The procedures include examinations in mobile vehicles, urgent root canal operations, tooth extraction, dental prosthesis repair, and filling procedures. Four additional vehicles were deployed to the tent cities built in Malatya and Kahramanmaraş and a total of nine mobile vehicles provided oral and dental health services. 108 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Healthcare Facilities in the Earthquake Site Emergency Response Teams Deployed to the earthquake site, 176 emergency response teams provided healthcare services near the survivors. Field Hospitals In addition to the hospitals that were already operating in the earthquake site, a total of 34 field hospitals with full-fledged operating theatres were built, with 23 of them by foreign partners. 34 field hospitals including 19 in Hatay, 6 in Kahramanmaraş, 5 in Adıyaman and 4 in Gaziantep, Payas, Altınözü, Erzin and Yayladağı Field Hospital in Hatay remain in operation. A total of 590,468 patients were treated by field hospitals and emergen- cy response teams. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 109 110 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Container Hospitals Hatay Kocaeli Container Hospital: Kicking off operations on March 6, 2023, in Antakya of Hatay, Kocaeli Container Hospital is composed of 94 containers, providing outpatient services in 17 specializations across an indoor space of 2,000 square meters. The hospital examines 1,200 patients a day on average. Hatay Training and Research Hospital’s Container Campus: Entirely composed of containers and based in Antakya of Hatay, Hatay Train- ing and Research Hospital’s Container Campus, which is equipped with 40 beds, began to operate in full force in June 2023 upon the removal of field tents. Covering an indoor space of 741,000 square meters, the hospital provides outpatient services in 25 specialities along with an op- erating theatre, a delivery room, and a physiotherapy centre. Providing healthcare services to an average of 2,000 patients a day, the hospital is also home to a dialysis centre. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 111 Hospital Services via TCG Sancaktar and TCG Bayraktar Vessels Converted into hospitals right after the earthquake, TCG Sancaktar and TCG Bayraktar vessels offered healthcare services in a myriad of special- izations including emergency medicine, thoracic surgery, anaesthesia and reanimation, cardiovascular surgery, orthopaedics and traumatolo- gy, gynaecology, paediatrics, and internal medicine. 112 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS New Hospitals Built After the Earthquake Hatay Defne Public Hospital: Set in motion on May 21, 2023, which is 57 days after the advent of the construction, Hatay Defne Public Hospital offers healthcare services with 300 beds, 36 outpatient clinics, 11 operat- ing theatres, and equipment with cutting-edge technology. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 113 Samandağ Public Hospital: Hatay Samandağ Public Hospital operates with 42 outpatient clinics, 160 patient beds, 5 operating theatres, 22 di- alysis beds, and dental clinics. Arsuz Public Hospital: Hatay Arsuz Public Hospital, the construction of which was completed and put into operation without waiting for the official launch, currently operates with 20 outpatient clinics, 100 beds, three operating theatres, seven dialysis beds, dental clinics and other ca- pabilities. 114 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Hassa Public Hospital: Hatay Hassa Public Hospital currently operates with 16 outpatient clinics, three operating theatres, intensive care, 11 di- alysis beds, four dental clinics and all other capabilities. Belen Public Hospital: Hatay Belen Public Hospital, the construction of which was completed and put into operation without waiting for the of- ficial launch, currently operates with 30 beds, dental clinics and other capabilities. İskenderun Public Hospital: Admitting patients since November 2023, the hospital is built on a land of 63,000 square meters, rising over heavy steel materials. The hospital currently operates with 200 beds, 42 out- patient clinics, 35 intensive care beds, seven operating theatres, six im- TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 115 aging rooms, one MRI room, one tomography room, one full-fledged lab- oratory, one bronchoscopy room, one endoscopy room, six PTRs, three oncology units, one CVS centre and one angiography team. Hatay Training and Research Hospital: Equipped with 400 beds, Hatay Training and Research Hospital is projected to admit patients in 2024. Once the construction is completed, the hospital is poised to operate with 72 outpatient clinics, 89 intensive care beds, 11 operating theatres, 8 dialysis rooms, 13 imaging rooms, one MRI room, one tomography room, 116 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS one full-fledged laboratory, one bronchoscopy room, 3 endoscopy room, 16 PTRs, 18 oncology rooms, one CVS centre, one burn unit, two angiog- raphy units, one PetCT unit, and one CMC (Child Monitoring Centre). Emergency Case Hospitals Under Construction Equipped with a total of 1,588 beds, 10 emergency case hospitals are set to offer services starting from March 2024. Hatay/Antakya Hatay/Erzin Hatay/Altınözü Gaziantep/Nurdağı Gaziantep/Oğuzeli Gaziantep/Oğuzeli 400 100 100 100 120 Kahramanmaraş/Türkoğlu Kahramanmaraş/Nurhak Kahramanmaraş/Merkez Adıyaman/Çelikhan TOTAL 120 100 1,588 74 400 74 Hatay/Payas EMERGENCY HOSPITALS UNDER CONSTRUCTION Source: Ministry of Health Survivor Healthcare Service Hotline: Hotline 184 Hotline 184, which is operated by the Communication Centre of the Min- istry of Health, plays a role in helping uninterruptedly deliver healthcare services in any state of emergency and crisis, accurately and sufficiently inform the general public, and effectively cope with crises in coopera- tion with healthcare agencies and organizations. Hotline 184 assumed an additional role to respond to the healthcare needs that arose from the earthquake and met the needs of the people for 24/7, starting from the first moment of the earthquake. Since day one, 130,565 requests for help were communicated to the Hotline 184. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 117 68,923 38,306 12,256 4,613 4,123 2,079 265 36% Hatay Kahramanmaraş 27% 18% 8% 6% 5% Adıyaman Gaziantep İstanbul Other Provinces Total Applications Received by 184 Earthquake Healthcare Service Hotline Requests for Information About Relatives Other Charges Requests for Medicine/ Vaccines Requests for Medical Equipment/ Devices/Adult Diapers/Glasses Requests for Dialysis/Chemotherapy Rate of Applications Received by 184 Earthquake Healthcare Service Hotline by Province Requests for Treatment (Request for Information on Tents, Containers, Food, Clothing, Damage Assessment, Support of TRY 10,000 for Damaged Apartments, Appointment of Healthcare Workers, Administrative Leave, etc.) (Requests for Home Care, Dressing, Referral to a Different Institution, Surgery, Examination) Source: Ministry of Health The Survivor Healthcare Service Hotline • helped inform the relatives of the survivors of their whereabouts (by an inquiry via e-Pulse application). • It also helped coordinate efforts with the General Directorate of Child Services of the Ministry of Family and Social Services about missing children to provide instant information. • The requests for services other than those for tents, containers, food, clothes, damage assessment, and financial aid were registered and communicated to the AFAD coordination teams. 118 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS • The healthcare professionals were informed and referred concern- ing their requests of information about assignments, administrative leave etc. • The requests for treatment (home care, dressing, referral, opera- tion, examination etc.), dialysis, chemotherapy, medication, vaccine, medical supplies and equipment were met and the patients were in- formed and referred accordingly • The details of those under the rubble were communicated by Hot- line 184 to the search and rescue teams via AFAD. The survivors in need and their needs were identified through social media screening and communicated to AFAD after they were confirmed. Calls to the Risk Groups of Survivors by the Call Centre Affected by the earthquake in Adıyaman, Hatay, and Kahramanmaraş, the survivors aged 75 and above were given a call to ask about their state. 42,406 people were called as a result. They were individually called to follow up their state of health and their requests were noted. The parents of the children with autism, mentally special needs, and rare diseases were called to ask about theri state. 270 family members were called as a result. 503 survivors with coeliac disease were called to take note of their needs. The persons aged 18 with special needs, who were affected by the earth- quake and lost their loved ones, were called to inform them of the Spe- cial Children Support System. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 119 5.3. Transportation and Communication Services 120 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Railway Services General Directorate of Turkish State Railways (TCDD) General Description The 1,275 km-long railway lines, which go through 11 provinces hit on 6/2/2023 by the earthquakes the epicentre of which was Pazarcık, Kah- ramanmaraş, are as follows: • Mersin-Adana-Osmaniye-Narlı • Toprakkale-İskenderun • Fevzipaşa-Islahiye • Köprüağzı-Kahramanmaraş • Nizip-Gaziantep-Narlı • Narlı-Malatya • Çetinkaya-Malatya • Malatya-Elazığ • Malatya-Yolçatı-Diyarbakır Routes Affected by the Earthquake Immediately after the earthquake, initial checks were performed by the maintenance teams to see if the lines were good for a limited mode of operation ad a total of 1,232 km of lines were made available for emer- gency cases and earthquake relief trains following some maintenance and repairs. The image above with the lines affected by the earthquake is a photo taken right after the earthquake. All closed lines are currently operational. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 121 Actions were further taken to provide railway access to the earth- quake-affected provinces from north and south as soon as possible, and logistic support was initially provided for the transportation of fuel oil and all forms of vital supplies to the earthquake site. 77,974 people were evacuated from the earthquake site by railway in coordination with AFAD and the Ministry of Transportation and Infra- structure. In addition to guest-houses, social facilities and construction sites, accommodation services were provided for a total of 6,000 people in passenger and staff service cars parked at the railway stations. In addition, logistic support was delivered to the earthquake site with 3,154 railway cars for needs including construction equipment, human- itarian aid materials, containers and coal. The General Directorate of Turkish State Railways managed to deliver logistic support to the earth- quake site with the assistance of its entire staff since day one. The efforts are ongoing to make sure that the pre-earthquake operation- al conditions are restored and that the destroyed or damaged buildings and facilities on the railway lines affected by the earthquake and opened for a limited mode of operation are rebuilt and rehabilitated to provide logistic support immediately after the earthquake. TCDD’s buildings were also affected by the earthquake apart from its lines. 246 out of 1,628 buildings in the earthquake site have suffered damage. Intended to keep the TCDD operations ongoing in the site affected by the earthquake, the construction of containers and prefabricated struc- tures, primarily to provide a working environment for its staff members, are almost completed. 122 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Actions for Buildings Damaged by the Earthquake TCDD has 1,628 buildings in the earthquake site. The earthquake ad- versely affected 246 buildings. 27 of them were collapsed, with 93 heavi- ly damaged, 24 mildly damaged, and 102 slightly damaged. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 123 Damaged Buildings and Facilities Collapsed (rebuilding is required); 27 Slightly damaged (can be used after minor repairs); 102 Moderately damaged (can be used after reinforcement); 24 Severely damaged (rebuilding is required); 93 Number of Damaged Buildings in the Earthquake-Stricken Prov- inces Sivas; 2 Osmaniye; 31 Malatya; 87 Kahramanmaraş;35 Hatay; 17 Gaziantep; 35 Elazığ; 23 Adıyaman; 8 Adana; 8 Services were outsourced from the provincial directorates of the Minis- try of Environment, Urbanisation, and Climate Change to receive dam- age assessment reports and perform a structural review of the damaged buildings in areas affected by the earthquake. The construction was completed for the site of containers based in the 5th Regional Directorate of Malatya Station and the containers have been made available for the staff. In addition, 292 containers, one each 124 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS for Gölbaşı and Pazarcık stations, were delivered to the 5th Regional Di- rectorate. 118 containers were delivered to 6th Regional Directorate of İskenderun Station. Fourteen containers were dispatched to Fevzipaşa Station, along with 11 containers to İslahiye Station, 4 containers to Nurdağ Station, 6 contain- ers to Türkoğlu Station, 7 containers to Narlı Station and 4 containers to 6th Regional Directorate. A total of 416 containers were delivered. Repair of the Railways Damaged by the Earthquake The Turkish State Railways (TCDD) of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and Taşımacılık A.Ş. coordinated their efforts with AFAD to assess the damage in the earthquake site and found out that a total of 275 kilometres of railway was damaged by the earthquake. 1,060 kilometres of railways were made repaired and made available for use following the efforts of the construction teams. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 125 Other Actions for Aid 77,974 people affected by the earthquake were evacuated out of the earthquake site by 450 passenger trains. A total of 3,154 railway cars including 17 cars of construction equipment, 498 cars of humanitarian aid supplies, 2,280 cars with 4,597 house con- tainers, 266 cars with 320 containers of heaters, blankets and genera- tors, 30 cars of coal, 4 cars with 26 mobile restrooms, five cars of heat generators, 24 cars of housing facilities and 30 cars of service dispatched to the disaster site. Accommodation services were provided to 6,000 people at stations, passenger and staff service cars, guest-houses, social facilities and con- struction sites in the earthquake-stricken site starting from day one, and 120 people were provided with means of housing, including 12 in staff service cars, and 108 in guest-houses and social facilities. The Directorates of Staff Training and Recreation Facilities in Arsuz and Urla provided TRY 4,258,910 in cash for the survivors. Construction works are ongoing to repair the cracks in concrete areas and rails at İskenderun Port. The fire that broke out in the overturned containers was extinguished. The containers affected by the earthquake were sorted. A total of 16, 912 litres of fuel oil was provided for vehicles including heavy equipment, ambulances, etc. deployed to the earthquake-stricken site. Donated by a ship crew, a total of 68,001 food boxes were delivered to the earthquake survivors. Two trucks of heaters, blankets, clothes, sanitary materials, diapers and food collected by the railway employees were delivered to the earth- quake survivors. Made up of plumbers, electricians, welders, mechanics and carpenters based in Sivas, Ankara, Samsun and Kayseri, four technical teams as- sisted to set up tents and containers in Adıyaman in coordination with AFAD. A total of 151 containers including nine single WCs, three double WCs, four six-person WCs, one triple WC/triple bathroom and three triple WCs 126 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS and 25 mobile WCs with four cabins outsourced by TCDD were delivered to Adıyaman. General Directorate of Infrastructure Investments (AYGM) Following the disasters that hit 10 provinces, a team of Deputy Gener- al Director, Head of Department, Marmara Regional Director and staff members reporting to the General Directorate of Infrastructure Invest- ments performed inquiries, rescue and relief operations across the earth- quake site. On 7 February 2023, 10 earthquake survivors were pulled out of the rubble with the involvement of the General Director. In this sense, the number of materials dispatched by 34 construction sites of the General Directorate of Infrastructure Investments, and aid and disaster relief materials delivered by the General Directorate are as follows: AID MATERIALS / STAFF Number Construction Equipment (15 Trucks, 10 Lowbeds, 134 Lorries, 15 Shuttles, 83 Excavators, 21 Loaders, 18 JCBs, 26 Hi-Up Cranes, 49 Others) 371 Staff (49 Rescue Teams, 110 Engineers, 1362 Wor- kers) 1,521 Auxiliary Materials (10495 Manual Tools, 93 Gene- rators) 10,588 TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 127 Housing (790 Containers, 359 Tents, 23459 Blankets, 18217 Bedsheets, Pillows and Quilts, 3690 Heaters, 84 Heating Stoves, 2970 Lanterns, 23508 Others) 73,077 Clothes (3420 Coats, 33904 Scarves, Hats, and Glo- ves, 1098 Kids Wear, 2062 Shoes, 8587 Others) 49,071 Food (3 Mobile Kitchens, 2858 Food Boxes, 964061 Boxes of Tea, Sugar, Water, Meal etc.) 966,919 Medical Supplies (80 First Aid Kits, 59 Assorted Me- dicines, 1489 Cleaning Materials, 100663 Others) 10,2291 An AYGM Coordination Centre was rolled out in Hatay on February 12 in an effort to run the aid operations, and the teams of the General Di- rectorate took part in the delivery of aid in Hatay on a weekly basis to coordinate the aid operations. Turkish Railway System Vehicles Corp. (TÜRASAŞ) The General Directorate delivered the following materials to Adıyaman, one of the provinces hit by the earthquake: 128 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS • Electric heaters, water heaters, • Food, water, beverages, ready-to-serve food, • Blankets and quilts, • Clothes for women, men, and children including underwear, coats, and shoes, • Sanitary and cleaning materials, • Toys, baby bottles, and baby formula. General Directorate of Turkish State Railways Corp. (TCDD Trans- portation) Right after the earthquake, The General Directorate of Turkish State Railways Corp. kicked off efforts for damage assessment, logistics, and aid in all of 11 provinces hit by the quake. Sets of trains and railway cars including 84 passenger cars, 5 diesel trains (DMU), and 3 electric trains (EMU) have been made available to house a total of 4,627 people to meet their housing needs. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 129 The railway terminals and stations were made available for the survi- vors in the earthquake site. No survivor is housed in any TCDD cars as of August 29, 2023. To this end, the staff facilities located in Ankara, Kayseri, Diyarbakır, Elazığ, Samsun, Ulukışla, Halkalı and Edirne were allocated for the sur- vivors to stay. In addition, two trucks of food packages donated by TCDD General Di- rectorate crew and heaters, blankets, clothes, sanitary materials, diapers and food supplies collected by the railway employees were delivered to the earthquake survivors. The General Directorate provided 16,912 litres of fuel oil for vehicles in- cluding heavy machinery, ambulances, etc. operating in the earthquake site. The fire that broke out at İskenderun Port was extinguished by the fire brigade car available in the fleet of the General Directorate. From February 6 to April 13, 2023, 450 passenger trains operated by the General Directorate transported 77,974 passengers free of charge, includ- ing volunteers, physicians, and military staff as well as the survivors. 130 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS 108 staff members of the General Directorate were deployed to the earth- quake site for 2,343 person-days in total to play a part in the delivery of aid to the site. Social Aid As Part of Communications Information and Communication Technologies Authority (ICTA) BTK took the following actions following the earthquake that hit Kahra- manmaraş: Made up of the MoTI, BTK, and operators, the Disaster Emergency Aid Coordination Group convened around the Disaster Plan right after the earthquake and took actions starting from the early moments of the earthquake. The operators were instructed to provide free calls, SMS, and internet access and open all of the limited mobile phone lines to maintain unin- terrupted communications. The MoTI and BTK dispatched mobile base stations to the earthquake site. Oil was immediately delivered to the earthquake site to keep generators operational as they provide energy for the base stations. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 131 The infrastructure construction permits were eased and frequency us- age fees were revoked in the earthquake site where SoE was declared. The survivors were relieved of wireless fees for three months under the Presidential Decree No. 140 of April 6, 2023. The administrative fees and universal service fees were put off. The requests of the relief teams from other countries, who arrived in Türkiye in response to the earthquake, were met for wireless frequency allocation after informing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 2.4 GHz satellite band was made available for flow of information and communication from the earthquake site. Some amateur radio operators from other countries were transported to the site in cooperation (equipment, technical support) with the amateur radio operators in Türkiye. Subscribers and users from the earthquake site were provided with ser- vices free of charge for no fewer than a month, and bills were not charged and some services were provided free of charge. Some services such as SIM card replacement and subscription transfer were rendered free of charge for the subscribers affected by the earth- quake. For prepaid mobile subscriptions, services were not restricted or sus- pended due to lack of credit or debt. 132 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Subscribers who lost their ID and SIM cards because of the earthquake were assisted to buy new SIM cards. BTK provided basic coding and robotic coding training courses through “mBot” and “Makey Makey” sets to nearly 2,500 students in 16 tent cities based in Adıyaman and Hatay. TK Academy converted a container into a mobile classroom, equipped it with computers, internet access, and electricity infrastructure and dis- patched it to the earthquake site to roll out a software project for the disaster-stricken children with robotic coding sets. Attending the training courses in the mobile classroom deployed to Adıyaman, children started exploring the ins and outs of software. The training courses helped the children, who took their mind off the earth- quake trauma, enjoy themselves. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 133 Having set out to run a different project in response to the earthquake, the Information and Communication Technologies Authority made it to the earthquake site with essential robotic coding sets, computers, inter- net access and electricity infrastructure. Post and Telegraph Agency (PTT) Along with 1,300 vehicles from the earthquake site, over 2,000 vehicles covered 11 million kilometres and over 5,000 staff members including 743 from other provinces took part in the operations and the state deliv- ered hundreds of thousands of aid supplies and tents to the site. Addi- tionally, food, clothes, sanitary materials, medication, blankets etc. were delivered to the provinces, districts, and villages. Video QR 40 Mobile PTT Offices were dispatched to the site on day one of the earthquake to provide peo- ple with access to financial services. Through 328 operational PTTMATIK (ATM), a total of TRY 9 billion was provided for payments/collection in- cluding social aids in cash. Of 64 main local mail lines, 53 were made operational in seven provinces except for Adıyaman, Hatay, and Kahramanmaraş and they made a total of 2,002 deliveries in nearly seven months since 6/2/2023. 134 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Donated by domestic and foreign communities as part of the free aid parcel campaign, 43,111 aid parcels were delivered to those in need. Supplies, dry sugar, food, water, bread, etc., which were pressing needs in the earthquake site, as well as clothes, cleaning materials, electric ma- terials, heat stoves, power banks, hardware, medicines, diapers, cables, sockets, tea, kitchen supplies, generators, fuel oil and similar essential needs were met and delivered to the site. Mattresses, bed bases, blankets, bed linens, etc. were shipped from other cities to the earthquake site. All PTT guest-houses across the country were made available for the survivors to stay. Additionally, kitchens were erected in Kahramanmaraş, Hatay, Adıyaman, and Malatya to provide three meals a day to the staff mem- bers and survivors. 60 pieces of prefabricated offices/workplaces were dispatched to the site to provide the survivors with uninterrupted access to PTT services. PTT rendered uninterrupted services thanks to undamaged offices, 40 mobile and 60 container offshoots. This helped perform nearly 11.7 mil- lion PTTBank (including ATM) transactions worth TRY 28.5 billion and take delivery of nearly 13 million parcels. 16.5 million parcels were dis- patched to the earthquake site. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 135 Türksat Satellite Communications Cable TV Operation Corp. • A total of 194 staff members, including 110 Türksat officers and 84 subcontractor staff, were assigned on a rotational basis. • The provincial directorates of Adana and Gaziantep were involved in the logistics operations. • Tents were set up primarily in gathering sites in coordination with AFAD and other public agencies. • Over 1,000 satellite communication systems were dispatched to the site. • One live broadcasting vehicle was dispatched to Adıyaman. In the earthquake zone; The subscribers of local TV networks that broadcast over satellites were relieved of their accrued bills for February, March, and April (worth TRY 3,631,155.00) and those with Cable TV and internet service subscriptions were relieved of their bills for February (TRY 14,152,738.53). 136 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Suspended because of debt, cable TV and internet subscriptions of Türk- sat based in the provinces with the SoE were reactivated and debt can- cellation and other legal procedures were suspended during the SoE. 31,157 pieces of assorted packaged food, 10,109 pieces of sanitary ma- terials, 4,225 food packages, 3,000 raincoats, 11,177 children’s clothes, 2,111 toys, 1,750 power banks, 1,490 home textile products (uniforms, blankets), 1,112 baby products (baby formula, baby bottles), 1,080 sets of children’s stationery, 70 earthquake tents, 4 containers, and 44 electric heaters were dispatched to the site. Maritime Services The details of recovery operations carried out by the General Directorate of Maritime Affairs with respect to maritime delivery to the site follow- ing the earthquake are as follows: • 10,346 Life Containers, 1,171 lorries/containers of humanitarian aid and 403 heavy machines were delivered to the site by 44 commercial vessels and 52 replenishment vessels. • The vessels transported 3,561 people and 338 vehicles of various sorts from the earthquake site. • Accommodation was provided for 1,800 survivors to stay in three passenger liners. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 137 • In addition, a payment was made out of Parcel Transport Expenses to deliver tents and aid materials worth TRY 28,320.00 to Hatay. Details on Vessels of Humanitarian Aid, Parcels, and Navigation Vessels Delivering Aid to İskenderun and Mersin Ports: • NDMA Pakistan aid ship: 3,425 winter tents, 38,000 blankets, • ITAL BONNY: Beds, blankets, generators, diapers, housing contain- ers, mattresses and radiators from Slovenia to Islahiye and Gaziant- ep public hospitals. • MSC POLARIS: 92 cabins purchased from Qatar. • BSG BAHAMAS: 75 cabins were purchased from Qatar. • CMA CGM KONGO: 180 cabins loaded from the port of Doha, Qatar. • MSC VIDHI: 54 cabins were loaded from the port of Doha, Qatar. • CROATIA: 60 cabins were loaded from the port of Doha, Qatar. • JPO FISH: 75 cabins were loaded from the port of Doha, Qatar. • HERBERT: 1000 cabins were loaded from the port of Doha, Qatar. • CMA CGM MEKONG: 150 cabins were loaded from the port of Doha, Qatar. 138 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS • MSC TAMARA, HAMMONIA BALTICA, MSC NADRIELY, HUTTON: Four ships were assigned for the delivery of some aid materials col- lected by the Consulate General of Canada in Toronto that could not be dispatched by Turkish Airlines. Loaded Ships PERGAMON SEA LINES: 74 lorries, 35 trucks, 15 trailers, 11 trailers and 34 cranes, 21 buckets, 41 excavators, 1 generator, 31 vehicles delivering humanitarian aid. 25 survivors and six vehicles were evacuated after arrival in Istanbul. ULUSOY-5 Ro-Ro: • Çeşme departed from İzmir / 114 lorries delivering aid to İskenderun Limak Port, 74 heavy machines, 4 tankers and 221 volunteers and drivers were dispatched. • 5 vessels of Ulusoy departed from İskenderun Port and returned to Çeşme Port with 158 passengers (49 of whom were in need of hous- ing), 30 vehicles, 8 motorcycles, 23 trailers, 3 full loads, 6 roller loads, and 3 lowbed loads ADNAN MENDERES FERRY: • Two large generators, six small generators, 10 engine pumps, two pallets, fleece coats, berets, scarves, gloves, shoes, 10 sacks of blan- kets, 320 tonnes of drinking water, 1074 black masks, 31 cardboard boxes of blankets, three camper vans and three cars, two mobile ki- osks, 20,000 pieces of adult clothes and 20,000 pieces of children’s clothes were dispatched from İstanbul to Mersin Port to be later de- livered to İskenderun Port. • 626 survivors and 11 vehicles from İskenderun: Evacuating the survi- vors after arrival at Mersin-Alanya-Antalya-İzmir ports. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 139 ASOS SEA LINES: • Mersin MIP delivered assorted aid materials from Italy to the port by 23 trucks unloaded. • It unloaded its cargo at Mersin Port with 39 semi-trailers delivering humanitarian aid and 33 semi-trailers with gas stoves. • 22 humanitarian aid materials, lorries, 33 stoves and heaters shipped to the Mersin Port. KAPADOKYA SEA LINES Ro-Ro: • 21 housing containers, five trucks (toilet cabins, vital supplies), six trailers, 59 excavation trucks, 16 excavators, one crane, seven buck- ets, 78 housing containers and five mobile restrooms from Pendik Port. • 1*45 container, 3*20 container, one full vehicle, three semi-trailer loads, • 8*20 housing container, one semi-trailer humanitarian aid, 2*20 san- itary container, 1*45 humanitarian cargo. ÇANAKKALE SEA LINE: • Humanitarian aid materials and vehicles, • Six semi-trailers, 1,813 pieces of humanitarian aid, 33 heaters, 64 pieces of electric equipment, 1,193 pieces of assorted relief items, • Two semi-trailers and one full trailer of humanitarian aid, a genera- tor, a container of clothes • 33 heaters and 932 humanitarian aid items. OLYMPOS SEA LINES; • 12 trailers of containers with bathroom and kitchen units, beds, med- ication and medication kits, assorted parcels of food. • 3*45 container of humanitarian aid, six trailers of load. 140 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS ARTEMIS SEA LINES: • 3*45 container of humanitarian aid, 1,312 gas stoves, and 33 aid ma- terial items. Housing Ships MSC AURELIA Passenger ship departed from the Port of Naples, Italy with aid materials and docked at İskenderun Port on 20.2.2023 at 8 p.m. Equipped with a capacity of 940 passengers, the ship started to serve for housing needs. SÜHEYLA SULTAN Catamaran is intended to serve as a home after docking at İskenderun fishing port. The ship is capable of accommodating 1,500 persons. RAUF BEY Catamaran can accommodate 2,000 people and it is docked at İskenderun fishing port to serve as a means of accommodation. Equipped with a capacity of 1,056 beds, IKIZLER Liner provided hous- ing services to the earthquake survivors. İskenderun Coastal Facilities The nearly 2.1 km-long coastline boasts an average of 100 meters of fill area into the sea. A land of 758 ha was being drained by two pumping stations and dis- charge grids prior to the earthquake. The post-earthquake satellite images pointed to the grounding of coast- al facilities, collapse of the docks, and superficial liquefaction of the ground. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 141 Locations Hit Hardest by the Flood of Water Atatürk Monument, the Amuse- ment Park, and the fishing port were hit the hardest by the flood of water. Post-Earthquake Movement of Water The sea water penetrated 400 me- ters into the coast. The levels of elevation were measured at 300 locations on land. 142 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS The sea level was measured at 300 locations. Actions to be Taken Repair of the Coastal Protection Facilities and Fishing Port in İskenderun 1. The coastline will be protected with suitable materials and revetment of the section. 2. The protective breakwater for 3. Collapsed and impaired docks will be renewed. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 143 Repair of the Fishing Port in İskenderun Title: Repair & Construction of the Fishing Port in İskenderun Date of Contract: 31.08.2023 Contract Sum: TRY 341,041,388.78 The breakwater segment of Iskenderun Fishing Port is being reinforced by rip-rap to make it resilient to any other earthquake. BEFORE AFTER 144 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS İskenderun Coastal Fortification Title: Construction of Phase 1 of the Interaction Site of İskenderun Fish- ing Port Contract Sum: TRY 181,450,500.00 The coastline was fortified for safety reasons at the location where sea water penetrated in the aftermath of the earthquake. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 145 İSKENDERUN COASTAL FORTIFICATION BEFORE AFTER Directorate General of Shipyards and Coastal Facilities The Directorate General of Shipyards and Coastal Facilities took actions with 10 staff members and 3 heavy machines (floating excavator, barge, towing boat). 46,000M³ of seabed were dredged the Directorate General of Shipyards and Coastal Facilities at İskenderun Fishing Port to help dock heavy ships to serve as a means of accommodation for the earth- quake survivors. Road Services General Directorate of Highways (KGM) The earthquakes that hit Kahramanmaraş and Hatay caused structur- al damages including cracks, collapses, landslides, and damages to the tunnels and bridges on the highways. The General Directorate of High- ways took actions in line with the contingency across the site hit by the earthquake and went on to carry out operations including but not limit- ed to the management of logistics traffic and road safety, clearing snow and ice and initial repairs of damaged roads. The preliminary checks performed by some technical teams found that 9,176 km out of 68,629 km of roads under the purview of the Directorate were situated in the earthquake site, which accounts for 13% of the road network, 0.7% of which were heavily damaged and 1.3% of which were moderately damaged. They also found that 634 km, which accounts for 18% of 3,633 km of highways, were situated in the earthquake site and 61 kilometres of road were damaged. 66 km (9%) of 723 km-long tunnels were also situated in the disaster zone and 17.3 km of the tunnels were 146 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS damaged. 102 km (14%) of 750 km-long bridges were also situated in the disaster zone and 5.1 km of the bridges were damaged. The General Directorate of Highways operated in cooperation with 4,865 staff members, 3,284 vehicles and sets of equipment in the earthquake site and took actions to prevent any disruption to the traffic in the wake of the quake, easing urban traffic and engaging in search and rescue op- erations in particular. In addition to search and rescue operations, containers and tents were dispatched to the site, and new housing facilities were built, meeting fundamentals needs such as food, supplies, clothes, blankets, stoves, beds, toilet cabins and sanitary materials in mobile facilities. In addi- tion, tools and equipment were provided for rescue and relief operations. Social facilities, guesthouses, various construction sites, administrative buildings and outbuildings were made available across the country for the earthquake survivors who migrated from the earthquake site to var- ious cities. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 147 In the wake of the earthquake, panoramic imaging was adopted for dam- age assessment and the situational analysis of inventories of highways and highway elements, and the pre-earthquake images were included in the system to be compared to the post-earthquake state. Major engineer- ing structures (bridges, viaducts and tunnels) were analysed under the category of risks concerning the transportation segment of critical infra- structure. Visual reviews were performed through the Image-Based In- formation Management System and test shots were made by unmanned aerial vehicles for further analysis. On the other hand, the damages/losses caused by the earthquakes were analysed in a sectoral context in terms of compliance with the interna- tional standards. To this end, the damages were analyzed by the break- down of social sectors (housing, education, healthcare, employment, environment), infrastructure (transportation, communication, utility water-sewage, municipal services, energy), and economic sectors (agri- culture, mining, manufacturing industry, tourism). Additionally, recom- mendations were offered for short, medium, and long term goals regard- ing each sector. Permanent repairs are underway to repair earthquake-affected roads and to improve the traffic safety, replacing signs, guardrails, horizontal and vertical markings on the roads, earthquake seismic reinforcement isolators of bridges, and to repair the non-structural damages of tunnels and damaged historical bridges, service facilities, nursing homes and other service buildings. 148 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Post-Earthquake Construction Works for Highways: Overview In the wake of the earthquakes that hit Kahramanmaraş as the epicentre, the General Directorate of Highways acted in line with the contingency plan in the earthquake-hit areas, taking actions to temporarily repair the damaged roads, and securing logistics traffic and road safety, and clear- ing snow and ice. Providing AFAD with regular assistance under the Disaster Response Plan of Türkiye and responding to the needs in cooperation with other organizations in times of disasters (fire, earthquake, flood etc.) across the country, the General Directorate of Highways immediately offered assistance with a total of 3,284 vehicles including 1,374 of its own and 1,910 of contractors in response to the earthquakes billed as “the Dis- aster of the Century”, hitting Kahramanmaraş first and then Hatay on February 6, 2023. In addition, a total of 4,865 staff members, including 1,682 staff mem- bers of the General Directorate of Highways and 3,183 employees of con- tractors, were quickly mobilised, providing support in vehicles and staff to the earthquake survivors. There are also 523 permanent staff mem- bers at the 5th Regional Directorate of Highways (Mersin), 8th Regional Directorate (Elazığ) and 9th Regional Directorate (Diyarbakır). In the wake of the earthquake, panoramic imaging was adopted for dam- age assessment and the situational analysis of inventories of highways and highway elements, and the pre-earthquake images were included in the system to be compared to the post-earthquake state. Major engineering structures (bridges, viaducts and tunnels) were checked under the category of risks concerning the transportation seg- ment of critical infrastructure. Visual reviews were performed for bridg- es, viaducts and tunnels through the Image-Based Information Manage- ment System and test shots were taken by unmanned aerial vehicles for further analysis. Shots were taken by Panoramic Imaging Lidar scanning (in mm scale with Lidar point cloud) for the post-earthquake damage assessment and situational assessment of the tunnels located on the highways, state roads and provincial roads across 11 provinces. Located in the earth- quake site, Erkenek Tunnel and Karahan Tunnel were filmed for start- ers. The location details of 8,000 vehicle tracking devices, including con- struction equipment, and online camera images of 1,400 camera track- ing devices were communicated to AFAD. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 149 Additionally, the damages/losses caused by the earthquakes were ana- lysed in a sectoral context in terms of compliance with the international standards. To this end, the damages were analysed by the breakdown of social sectors (housing, education, health, employment, environment), infrastructure (transportation, communication, utility water-sewage, municipal services, energy) and economic sectors (agriculture, mining, manufacturing industry, tourism). Recommendations were offered for short, medium, and long term goals concerning each sector. Permanent repairs are underway to repair earthquake-affected roads and to improve the traffic safety, replacing signs, guardrails, horizontal and vertical markings on the roads, earthquake seismic reinforcement isolators of bridges, and to repair the non-structural damages of tunnels and damaged historical bridges, service facilities, nursing homes and other service buildings. TRY 6.3 billion was spent in 2023 for the roads damaged by the earth- quake and TRY 12 billion is projected to be spent in 2024. ROAD NETWORK (TÜRKİYE) HIGHWAYS VEHICLES x KM TUNNELS BRIDGES ROAD NETWORK OF THE 11 PROVINCES IN THE EARTH- QUAKE ZONE HIGHWAYS OF THE 11 PROVINCES TUNNELS OF THE 11 PROVINCES BRIDGES OF THE 11 PROVINCES VEHICLES x KM OF THE 11 PROVINCES ROADS WITH SEVERE/MODERATE DAMAGE 68,640 Km 9,176 Km 184 Km 3,726 Km 142 Billion 495 Tunnels 753 Km 9,871 Bridges 774 Km 1,401 Bridges 102 Km 37 Tunnels 66 Km 2 x 50 m Erkenek Tunnel, 2 x 1.816 m Erkenek Tunnel Electrome- chanical Works-Moderate Damage 4 Tunnels (Taşoluk, Ayran, Kızılaç, Aslanlı) Slight Damage Double Tube Length 5,350 m Single Tube Length 10,700 m 50m-Collapsed 2 bridges, 172 m, Severely Damaged Highways, 6 viaducts 3,100 m Moderately Damaged 4 bridges, 1,768 m, Moderately Damaged 17,6 Billion 634 Km 61 Km(20 Km Severely Damaged- 41 Km Moderately Damaged) HIGHWAYS WITH SEVERE / MODERATE DAMAGE TUNNELS WITH SEVERE / MODERATE-SLIGHT DAMAGE BRIDGES WITH SEVERE / MODERATE-SLIGHT DAMAGE 150 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS The Access and Zoning Roads of the Earthquake-Survivor Houses: The Zoning and Access Roads of Reserve Sites were assigned to the Genreal Directorate of Highways under the Presidential Decree No. 171271 of Au- gust 14, 2023 and numbered 171271. To this end, four project contractors and eight construction contracts were awarded for the construction and infrastructure (water, sewage, rain water and electricity) of a total of 180 km-long access and zoning roads for 38,000 houses in 10 different sections across 5 provinces. The construction is underway at a rapid clip and it is set to cost TRY 15 billion in total. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 151 The construction is currently in progress for 6.1 km for 2,663 houses in Gülderen, 4.5 km for 1,415 houses in Dikmece, 10 km for 3,069 houses in Defne Orhanlı and 38 km for 8,738 houses in the 5th, 6th, and 7th zones in Hatay/Antakya, totalling 15,885 houses, as well as 58.6 km of zoning and 10.6 km of access roads 7.1 km of zoning and access roads for 1,820 houses in Akyar are also in progress in the town of Osmaniye. 152 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Aviation Services General Directorate of State Airports Authority (DHMI) Family-type containers were outsources to respond to the needs includ- ing bathing in an effort to accommodate the staff members at the earth- quake-hit airports and facilitate transition to social life following the earthquake on February 6, 2023 and; - 45 containers to Adana Airport, - 100 containers to Kahramanmaraş Airport, - 75 containers to Hatay Airport, - 60 containers to Adıyaman Airport, - and 90 containers to Malatya Airport were dispatched. The aforementioned containers, which made up a city, are equipped with classrooms/studies, laundry rooms, playgrounds, prayer rooms, and libraries. All of the guesthouses of DHMI were made available for free for the sur- vivors affected by the earthquake. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 153 Turkish Airlines Turkish Airlines set in motion all of its capabilities to add to the elimi- nation of adverse social and economic consequences of the earthquake. The company delivered humanitarian aid, medical supplies, and search & rescue teams from Türkiye and other countries to the earthquake site in coordination with AFAD and cooperation with other authorities. Turkish Airlines helped its own staff members take part in search and rescue operations, shipping tents to accommodate the survivors. The company executed thousands of flights for passengers and parcels as part of the uninterrupted operations. It also ran operations to quickly evacuate the survivors from the site. It transported 433,000 survivors and search & rescue and relief teams from February 6 to May 31. As it evacuated 430,000 survivors from the earthquake site, it also dispatched 36,000 tons of aid materials to the earthquake-hit areas. Under the project titled “Türkiye Banding Together”, which was a social aid campaign, Prof. Ahmet Bolat, the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee, delivered TRY 2 billion (USD 100 million) in cash as a donation to Mr. Ali Yerlikaya, the Governor of İstanbul. In addi- tion, a protocol was signed with AFAD to build 1,000 residences (worth 154 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS USD 100 million) in the earthquake-hit areas to alleviate the devastating effects of the earthquake and help the survivors get back on their feet. Expenses Made/To Be Made by the Department of Strategy Devel- opment of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure in Response to the Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes of February 6, 2023 Pre-Earthquake Transportation Infrastructure in the Earthquake Site The railways are 1,275 kilometres long in total in the earthquake-hit ar- eas. There are conventional lines of freight and passenger transporta- tion from and to Adana, Hatay, Osmaniye Gaziantep, Kahramanmaraş, and Malatya. There are airports open for civil air traffic in Adana, Elâzığ, Hatay, Adıyaman, Şanlıurfa, Diyarbakır, Malatya, Gaziantep and Kahra- manmaraş. There are two heliports in Adana and one each in Hatay and Diyarbakır. The emergency runway, which serves as a reserve runway, is situated only at Diyarbakır Airport. As of 2023, 17 per cent of Türkiye’s highway network and 13 per cent of the state road network are situat- ed in earthquake-hit provinces. The northern and western regions are linked to the border gate of Habur and to the ports of Mersin and İskend- erun by road. As for maritime infrastructure, there are 13 ports operated by the private companies in the Bay of İskenderun, fishing ports and a water sports centre in the town of Hatay. Material Damages Caused by the Earthquake Performed to improve the physical conditions of the region and elimi- nate the damages caused by the earthquakes that hit Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023, the damage assessment found that a total of TRY 47.2 billion was needed to be spent by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and its affiliates, subsidiaries, and partners. The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure spent nearly TRY 11.7 billion out of it for the earthquake-hit areas within the limits of the budget for 2023. The calls for an additional budget by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure in response to the damages caused by the earthquakes were communicated to the Grand National Assembly in June and the additional budget was granted for the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. TRY 41.9 billion out of TRY 47.2 billion to be spent for 11 earthquake-hit provinces is an investment expense and TRY 7.8 billion TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 155 of the sum has already been spent. Remaining TRY 5.3 billion is set to be spent within the boundaries of the budget and TRY 3.9 billion of the sum has been already spent. Material Damages on a Sectoral Basis Railway Transportation Mersin-Adana-Osmaniye-Narlı, Toprakkale-İskenderun, Fevzipaşa-Is- lahiye, Köprüağzı-Kahramanmaraş, Nizip-Gaziantep-Narlı, Narlı-Malat- ya, Çetinkaya-Malatya, Malatya-Elazığ and Malatya-Yolçatı-Diyarbakır segments of the railway network were adversely affected by the earth- quake. A total of 1,204 kilometres of the railway network were repaired and rebuilt. The damaged lines are currently under repair in line with the damage assessments. TRY 16 billion is projected to be spent for re- pairs and rebuilding efforts concerning the deformation of the tunnels and bridges, damages to the lines caused by rocks and stones, disrup- tions to superstructure, and damages to electromechanical and signal- ling systems at various locations. TRY 3.5 billion has already been spent for investments within the boundaries of the budget for 2023. Addition- ally, TRY 78.9 million was spent as an expenditure. The operations were adversely affected by the earthquake in addition to the disruption in the network. Nearly TRY 20 million was spent to repair the Diesel Multiple Units (DMU), Locomotives and Freight Cars damaged by the earthquake before they were made operational. A total of TRY 139.7 million was spent to relocate railway vehicles, meet staff expenses, and repair the railways cars that served as a means of accommodation for the survivors and respond to the needs for fuel and others. Air Transportation The earthquakes that hit Kahramanmaraş caused damages to the in- frastructure, superstructure, and equipment at the airports in Hatay, Adıyaman, Kahramanmaraş and Malatya. In response, a total of TRY 7.4 billion is set to be spent for investments. TRY 879 million of the sum was spent out of the budget for 2023. Additionally, TRY 12 million was spent for expenditure items such as staff assignments and fuel consumption. Road Transportation TRY 3 billion was spent to repair and rebuild the infrastructure and su- perstructure of the highways, motorways, tunnels, viaducts, bridges, en- 156 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS gineering structures, signalling and traffic signs on the roads situated under the purview of the General Directorate of Highways in the earth- quake-hit areas. The sum is projected to amount to TRY 14.3 billion in total. TRY 3.5 billion has been spent so far and TRY 1.4 billion is project- ed to be spent. Marine Transportation TRY 2.4 billion in total is projected to be spent to repair the marine infra- structure and superstructure including the watchtowers, fishing ports, lodgings and water sports centre damaged by the earthquake. Communications, Shipment, and Mail Delivery TRY 1.8 billion is estimated to be spent for the maintenance, repair, ren- ovation or reinforcement of the buildings/workplaces of PTT Corp. in 11 earthquake-hit provinces and the procurement or maintenance of hardware, machinery and equipment. In addition, PTT Corp. spent TRY 78.3 million and is estimated to spend an additional TRY 13.4 million. The service building of the Regional Directorate of the Information and Technology Authority in Diyarbakır suffered from a damage worth TRY 15 million. However, the repair is in progress as the building is situated in a conservation zone. The General Directorate of Transportation Ser- vices Regulation purchased a fuel card worth TRY 27 million from DMO (State Supply Office) for Transport Operators (Freigh and Passenger) in the Earthquake-Hit Areas and dispatched it to the regional directorates of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. TRY 59 million was made available to the regional directorates by the Directorate of Re- volving Fund of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to be spent for the coordination of the transport vehicles in the earthquake-hit areas. To this end, TRY 71 million in total has been spent by the General Directorate of Transportation Services Regulation so far. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 157 5.4. Accommodation and Earthquake-Safe Housing Services 158 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS An earthquake of 7,7 magnitude struck Pazarcık district of Kahraman- maraş on February 6, 2023, at 04:17 a.m. Right after this earthquake, a 6,4-magnitude aftershock hit Nurdağı district of Gaziantep and a 6,5-magnitude aftershock occurred in İslahiye district. Furthermore, Kahramanmaraş was struck once again with a 7,6-magnitude earth- quake at 1:24 a.m. on the same day. These quakes affected the provinc- es of Kayseri, Elazığ, Kahramanmaraş, Gaziantep, Osmaniye, Malatya, Adıyaman, Adana, Diyarbakır, Kilis, Hatay and Şanlıurfa. On February 20, 2023, another earthquake with a 6,4-magnitude hit Defne district of Hatay at 20:04, and a 5,8 magnitude earthquake occurred three minutes later at 20:07 in Hatay, Samandağ. It was reported that the 6.4 magni- tude earthquake had a depth of 16.7 kilometers and its effects were also felt in the surrounding provinces, The scientific data of the world’s largest earthquakes and the data of Kahramanmaraş quakes revealed the proximity of earthquakes to the surface, the width of the impact area, the fracture patterns occurring in the fault line, etc. After a comparison of data, Kahramanmaraş Earth- quakes on February 6, 2023, were declared as the disaster of the century due to the lack of similar earthquakes all around the world. The earthquakes affected an area of approximately 120 thousand km2 in 11 provinces. In the aftermath of quakes, 61 thousand 637 aftershocks were felt until September 2023. Search-rescue operations and recovery efforts were immediately started after the earthquakes struck Kahramanmaraş. Following the initial re- sponses, due diligence was carried out, and rebuilding and construction projects were launched for the region. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that all necessary steps will be taken to support earthquake sur- vivors to resume their lives as soon as possible after the earthquakes, which were declared as the disaster of the century, and that they will soon start to rebuild the cities along with the houses, workplaces and cultural assets. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 159 President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan investigated the situation on 08 Febru- ary 2023 in Iskenderun district of Hatay, where many buildings were da- maged after the earthquakes affected 10 provinces. At the Commando Brigade in Hatay, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a statement to the press after consulting the ministers in charge and receiving information about the 7, 7 and 7,6 magnitude earthquakes with epicenters at Pazarcık and Elbistan districts of Kahramanmaraş. 08 Feb- ruary 2023 160 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Since February 6, Turkish Red Crescent has been working in the earth- quake zone with 931 stakeholder institutions by establishing 14 team presidencies. According to AFAD data, 1 million tents have been dispatched for tem- porary shelter since the first moment of the earthquake. 645 thousand tents were set up in 350 tent city areas and approximately 2.5 million disaster victims were temporarily sheltered there. Currently, there are no Turkish and foreign nationals sheltering in tent cities. As of today, 214,490 containers have been installed in 398 container cit- ies with social facilities (schools, masjids, playgrounds, playgrounds, mobile kitchens, psycho-social support service areas) and health cen- ters, including infrastructure, security services. 687,676 people are host- ed in containers. In the containers, all the needs of a family, including the kitchen, have been met. In addition, 60,006 fans and 149,305 air con- ditioners were distributed to the containers and 132,723 air conditioners were installed in the containers. It is planned to install air condition- ers in all containers. Additional infrastructure works against flooding in container cities have been completed and measures have been taken against roof leaks. In addition, measures have been taken against leak- age currents and lightning rod installation works have been completed to protect against lightning. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 161 162 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS The damage assessment included an examination of a total of 2 million 381 thousand 981 buildings and 6 million 618 thousand 166 independent sections. According to the calculations, the cost of damage is found to be 110 billion dollars. SUMMARY NUMBER OF BUILDINGS INDEPENDENT SECTIONS DAMAGE-FREE 1,334,505 3,588,242 SLIGHTLY DAMAGED 654,065 2,040,460 MODERATELY DAMAGED 43,564 164,414 SEVERELY DAMAGED 209,415 505,533 COLLAPSED 39,438 103,790 TO-BE-DEMOLISHED 21,232 78,462 N/A 79,762 137,265 TOTAL 2,381,981 6,618,166 TOTAL NUMBER OF BUILDINGS 2,381,981 TOTAL INDEPENDENT SECTIONS 6,618,166 TO-BE-DEMOLISHED + HEAVILY DAMAGED + COLLAPSED + MODERATELY DAMAGED BUILDINGS 313,649 TO-BE-DEMOLISHED + HEAVILY DAMAGED + COLLAPSED + MODERATELY DAMAGED APARTMENTS 677,332 TO-BE-DEMOLISHED + HEAVILY DAMAGED + COLLAPSED + MODERATELY DAMAGED COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS 115,292 TO-BE-DEMOLISHED + HEAVILY DAMAGED + COLLAPSED + MODERATELY DAMAGED STABLES AND HAYLOFTS 25,541 TO-BE-DEMOLISHED + HEAVILY DAMAGED + COLLAPSED + MODERATELY DAMAGED BUILDINGS (OTHER) 34,034 Directorate General of Construction Works, 07.12.2023 TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 163 The assessment identified a total of 667 thousand 319 houses as moder- ately or heavily damaged houses in the provincial and district centers. 178 thousand 852 tenders were held, and permanent housing projects were launched immediately. NUMBER OF RIGHTFUL OWNERS (SEVERELY DAMAGED) TOTAL 326,707 241,251 URBAN 85,456 RURAL MEUC ON-SITE TRANSFORMATION CO-OWNERS (SEVERELY DAMAGED) TOTAL 104,786 83,692 URBAN 21,094 RURAL TOTAL 69,622 56,621 URBAN 13,001 RURAL MEUC RESERVE AREAS (SEVERELY DAMAGED) TOTAL 15,959 15,959 URBAN TOTAL NUMBER OF RIGHTFUL OWNERS ELIGIBLE FOR THE DRAW TOTAL 207,586 168,671 URBAN 38,915 RURAL HOUSES THAT WILL BE READY FOR DELIVERY BY THE MINISTRY TOTAL ~46,000 41,012 URBAN 4,632 RURAL MEUC ON-SITE TRANSFORMATION CO-OWNERS (%51,01>) Moderately/ Severely Damaged HOUSES RURAL 667,319 526,818 140,501 376,445 287,641 88,804 134,555 111,982 22,573 178,852 141,723 37,129 Moderately/ Severely Damaged RIGHTFUL OWNERS RURAL Moderately/ Severely Damaged RURAL TOTAL 74,711 TOTAL (For On-Site Transformation) 287,641 = (111,982 + 141,723 + 74,711 - 36,499) Among the houses exceeding the capacity, 4,276 were distributed to rightful owners from previous earthquakes and nearby districts. *The housing requirements were calculated by subtracting rightful owners of AFAD houses applying for on-site transformation. 36,499 TOTAL (For On-Site Transformation) 19,733 TOTAL (For On-Site Transformation) RURAL NUMBER OF ADDITIONAL HOUSES REQUIRED IN PROVINCIAL AND DISTRICT CENTERS NUMBER OF HOUSES EXCEEDING THE SETTLEMENT CAPACITY PROVINCIAL AND DISTRICT CENTERS PROVINCIAL AND DISTRICT CENTERS PROVINCIAL AND DISTRICT CENTERS PROVINCIAL AND DISTRICT CENTERS NUMBER OF RIGHTFUL OWNERS ON-SITE TRANSFORMATION COMPLETED TENDERS NUMBER OF DAMAGED HOUSES AFAD, 30.11.2023 164 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS A road map was developed to guide the rebuilding and recovery process by consulting with the provincial administrators, NGOs, and academi- cians. It aimed to preserve the sociological, demographic and cultural structure by using studies on disaster risk and soil quality. New places for settlements were determined without victimizing the people. It is noted that the historical identity and demographic structure of the cities will be preserved and they will be revitalized even more strongly. Based on scientific reports, the most accurate and solid grounds were deter- mined, and the construction projects were started. Within the scope of these projects, it is planned to deliver 46 thousand houses. Directorate General of Construction Works, 7.12.2023 MEUC URBAN RURAL HATAY 5,719 584 KAHRAMANMARAŞ 9,068 1,577 MALATYA 4,728 1,298 ADIYAMAN 3,474 362 GAZİANTEP 9,757 696 ELAZIĞ 1,169 - OSMANİYE 1,856 33 DİYARBAKIR 2,512 - ŞANLIURFA 897 43 ADANA 926 - KİLİS 1,006 39 TOPLAM 41,112 4,632 TOTAL ~ 46,000 As a result of the rapid and meticulous work conducted for the construc- tion of permanent residences and houses in 11 provinces, the founda- tions were laid in the areas where ground surveys were completed. The residential units are designed as integrated settlements with social ame- TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 165 nities, based on a horizontal plan and the local architecture, not exceed- ing three or four floors. As of March, the foundations of residential units and village houses were laid in the affected provinces with the participa- tion of President Erdogan. The keys of the industrial shops were deliv- ered to the local tradesmen, craftsmen and business owners. Within the scope of the Urban Transformation Project, the rightful owners received the keys for the houses and shops that were built. My First Home Project was launched in the region. City centers, city squares, main streets of cities are also being construct- ed by the relevant Ministry. Approximately 50 thousand civil architec- tural designs specific to that city are being built in these places. Also, the construction process of 50 thousand steel village houses continues. In total, the construction of 307 thousand independent sections, including reserve areas, city centers and steel village houses, is continuing rapidly. 110,450 personnel from the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change have taken part in 930 construction sites in 11 provinces. AFAD Data - December 30, 2023 PERMANENT HOUSING IN GENERAL DISTRICT AFAD MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, URBANIZATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE ON- SITE TRANSFORMATION JOINT NUMBER OF HOUSES TENDERED TENDER NEED NUMBER OF EXCESS HOUSING UNITS BY SETTLEMENT NUMBER OF DISASTER VICTIMS NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES NUMBER OF REQUESTS URBAN RURAL TOTAL URBAN RURAL URBAN RURAL ADANA 15,820 9,380 6,470 203 6,673 1,946 106 4,601 209 427 478 ADIYAMAN 64,930 54,975 26,011 11,780 37,791 9,125 3,598 27,329 6,290 105 10,348 DİYARBAKIR 21,239 18,869 12,444 1,805 14,249 2,974 488 6,600 609 3,166 0 ELAZIĞ 19,808 23,229 7,518 5,208 12,726 1,056 272 3,198 0 4,096 0 GAZİANTEP 42,102 27,453 11,192 5,734 16,926 3,191 1,701 19,919 4,707 499 12,417 HATAY 250,310 204,031 110,929 20,905 131,834 53,390 5,113 33,221 6,847 29,114 2,074 KAHRAMANMARAŞ 111,238 97,471 45,347 23,459 68,806 18,614 6,357 19,576 8,158 11,734 4,577 KİLİS 3,366 2,451 502 1,058 1,560 142 250 1,980 486 0 1,620 MALATYA 101,320 101,033 53,680 12,036 65,716 16,301 3,197 14,692 7,550 23,144 246 OSMANİYE 20,280 16,193 8,473 2,541 11,014 2,682 1,034 4,892 1,356 1,661 762 ŞANLIURFA 16,906 13,165 5,075 4,075 9,150 2,561 457 5,715 917 765 3,977 TOTAL 667,319 568,250 287,641 88,804 376,445 111,982 22,573 141,723 37,129 74,711 36,499 *The housing requirements were calculated by subtracting rightful owners of AFAD houses applying for on-site transformation. THERE IS A TOTAL NEED FOR 74,711 HOUSING UNITS 166 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS • Hatay HATAY PROVINCE GENERAL SITUATION DISTRICT AFAD MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, URBANIZATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE ON-SITE TRANSFORMATION JOINT NUMBER OF HOUSES TENDERED TENDER NEED NUMBER OF EXCESS HOUSING UNITS BY SETTLEMENT NUMBER OF DISASTER VICTIMS NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES NUMBER OF REQUESTS URBAN RURAL URBAN RURAL URBAN RURAL ALTINÖZÜ 7,376 4,220 945 1,625 141 405 364 1,195 440 ANTAKYA 107,576 89,878 46,995 8,729 21,912 1,152 12,471 804 12,612 ARSUZ 7,582 5,367 2,710 729 957 622 880 740 873 BELEN 2,814 2,328 1,334 182 854 31 292 204 188 DEFNE 37,991 32,236 20,930 906 13,720 1,464 3,069 300 4,141 DÖRTYOL 5,007 3,841 2,447 13 1,028 16 2,060 0 641 ERZİN 970 721 345 141 118 26 488 160 261 HASSA 7,853 6,333 1,908 2,650 184 286 3,878 500 2154* İSKENDERUN 22,272 18,662 11,347 483 7,045 120 3,986 300 316 KIRIKHAN 23,357 19,966 11,542 1,926 3,251 157 2,576 500 5,715 KUMLU 907 725 188 364 59 44 303 100 174* PAYAS 1,642 1,299 637 272 143 25 1,351 0 857 REYHANLI 2,704 1,852 346 1,032 128 58 612 800 394* SAMANDAĞ 20,102 15,154 9,083 1,125 3,830 580 424 799 4,829 YAYLADAĞI 2,157 1,449 172 728 20 127 467 445 315 TOTAL 250,310 204,031 110,929 20,905 53,390 5,113 33,221 6,847 29,114 2,074 *Rightful owners from the old towns and rural settlements close to the district center where housing cannot be built will be placed in the houses exceeding the capacity in Hassa, Reyhanlı and Kumlu districts. THERE IS A TOTAL NEED FOR 29,114 HOUSING UNITS AFAD Data - December 30, 2023 President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended the ‘The Ceremony of Laying Foundation Stone for the Post-Earthquake Housing Units and New State Hospitals’ in Iskenderun district of Hatay, which was affected by the Kahramanmaraş-based earthquakes that occurred on February 6. 24 March 2023 TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 167 Cumhurbaşkanı Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, 6 Şubat’ta meydana gelen Kah- ramanmaraş merkezli depremlerden etkilenen Hatay’ın İskenderun ilçesinde ‘Deprem Konutları ve Yeni Devlet Hastaneleri Temel Atma Töre- ni’ne katıldı. 24.03.2023 October 19, 2023 168 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS • Kahramanmaraş President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended the ceremony of laying foundation stone for the post-earthquake TOKİ housing units in Kahramanmaraş Karasu, which was affec- ted by the earthquakes that occurred on February 6. 23 March 2023 AFAD Data - December 30, 2023 KAHRAMANMARAŞ PROVINCE GENERAL SITUATION DISTRICT AFAD MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, URBANIZATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE ON- SITE TRANSFORMATION JOINT NUMBER OF HOUSES TENDERED TENDER NEED NUMBER OF EXCESS HOUSING UNITS BY SETTLEMENT NUMBER OF DISASTER VICTIMS NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES NUMBER OF REQUESTS URBAN RURAL URBAN RURAL URBAN RURAL AFŞİN 9,093 7,565 3,605 2,134 1,091 331 3,185 803 671 ANDIRIN 1,958 1,740 185 1,061 83 510 0 200 102 ÇAĞLAYANCERİT 1,763 1,447 297 877 186 269 0 305 111 DULKADİROĞLU 25,475 23,715 13,416 2,931 6,103 1,287 4,141 880 3,152 EKİNÖZÜ 1,775 1,446 497 572 152 135 158 500 187 ELBİSTAN 15,390 13,516 7,857 1,441 2,311 687 3,628 800 1,918 GÖKSUN 7,785 7,892 755 4,547 452 579 1,104 810 801 NURHAK 2,554 1,924 672 940 349 175 0 500 323 ONİKİŞUBAT 26,388 24,115 13,088 3,228 6,225 1,256 922 1,000 5,941 PAZARCIK 10,563 6,566 3,214 2,028 1,383 546 3,214 1,255 1,383 TÜRKOĞLU 8,494 7,545 1,761 3,700 279 282 3,204 1,105 1,722 TOTAL 111,238 97,471 45,347 23,459 18,614 6,357 19,576 8,158 11,734 4,577 THERE IS A TOTAL NEED FOR 11,734 HOUSING UNITS TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 169 November 22, 2023 170 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS • Malatya AFAD Data - December 30, 2023 MALATYA PROVINCE GENERAL SITUATION DISTRICT AFAD MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, URBANIZATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE ON-SITE TRANSFORMATION JOINT NUMBER OF HOUSES TENDERED TENDER NEED NUMBER OF EXCESS HOUSING UNITS BY SETTLEMENT NUMBER OF DISASTER VICTIMS NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES NUMBER OF REQUESTS URBAN RURAL URBAN RURAL URBAN RURAL AKÇADAĞ 7,267 6,881 780 3,669 114 759 310 2,300 356 ARAPGİR 184 119 55 20 9 9 198 80 132 ARGUVAN 480 388 67 201 9 26 0 58 BATTALGAZİ 33,106 36,174 21,013 749 7,615 437 2,480 0 10,918 DARENDE 2,473 2,251 529 838 174 151 0 800 355 DOĞANŞEHİR 10,364 9,770 3,115 3,556 598 324 1,676 2,500 841 DOĞANYOL 184 120 32 26 2 0 0 0 30 HEKİMHAN 1,375 1,148 557 161 84 38 553 0 80* KALE 364 295 83 97 4 14 0 79 KULUNCAK 336 228 71 79 20 27 165 0 114* PÜTÜRGE 1,193 791 360 147 31 8 354 0 25* YAZIHAN 1,217 1,046 76 633 5 107 157 870 81* YEŞİLYURT 42,777 41,822 26,942 1,860 7,636 1,297 8,799 1,000 10,507 TOTAL 101,320 101,033 53,680 12,036 16,301 3,197 14,692 7,550 23,144 36,499 *81 houses in the Yazıhan district were included within the scope of social housing. *The remaining 25 houses in the center of Pütürge will be given to rightful owners from 2020. *The remaining 80 houses in the center of Hekimhan will be given to rightful owners from 2015. *The remaining 20 houses in the center of Arapgir will be given to rightful owners from rural areas. THERE IS A TOTAL NEED FOR 23,144 HOUSING UNITS President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended the Key Delivery Ceremony of 1442 Shops, 250 Residences, 47 Village Houses and Ceremony of Laying Foundation Stone for Post-Earthquake Residential Units in Malatya. 13 April 2023 Hatay, 19.10.2023 TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 171 January 3, 2024 172 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS • Gaziantep AFAD Data - December 30, 2023 GAZİANTEP PROVINCE GENERAL SITUATION DISTRICT AFAD MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, URBANIZATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE ON-SITE TRANSFORMATION JOINT NUMBER OF HOUSES TENDERED TENDER NEED NUMBER OF EXCESS HOUSING UNITS BY SETTLEMENT NUMBER OF DISASTER VICTIMS NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES NUMBER OF REQUESTS URBAN RURAL URBAN RURAL URBAN RURAL ARABAN 1,855 1,079 340 373 135 140 952 550 747 ISLAHİYE 11,578 8,850 4,322 1,379 1,363 441 4,531 1,051 1,572 KARKAMIŞ 398 178 28 56 7 27 0 21 NİZİP 2,479 1,214 324 283 180 73 2,498 2,354 NURDAĞI 11,154 8,548 3,470 1,934 483 347 2,509 1,015 478 OĞUZELİ 1,378 699 131 206 58 68 0 76* ŞAHİNBEY 6,057 2,999 1,180 420 500 232 3,951 1,296 3,198 ŞEHİTKAMİL 6,490 3,406 1,295 878 450 297 5,086 795 4,241 YAVUZELİ 713 480 102 205 15 76 392 305 TOKİ KIRSAL 400 0 TOTAL 42,102 27,453 11,192 5,734 3,191 1,701 19,919 5,107 499 12,417 *73 rightful owners in the center of Oğuzeli will be settled in Şehitkamil. THERE IS A TOTAL NEED FOR 499 HOUSING UNITS President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made a speech at the ‘Ceremony of Laying Foundation Stone for the Housing Project in Gaziantep-Kilit’ in Nurdağı district of Gaziantep, which was affected by the Kahramanmaraş-based earthquakes on February 6. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 173 March 31, 2023 Gaziantep September 18, 2023 Gaziantep January 3, 2024 Gaziantep 174 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS • Adıyaman AFAD Data - December 30, 2023 ADIYAMAN PROVINCE GENERAL SITUATION DISTRICT AFAD MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, URBANIZATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE ON-SITE TRANSFORMATION JOINT NUMBER OF HOUSES TENDERED TENDER NEED NUMBER OF EXCESS HOUSING UNITS BY SETTLEMENT NUMBER OF DISASTER VICTIMS NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES NUMBER OF REQUESTS URBAN RURAL URBAN RURAL URBAN RURAL BESNİ 7,661 6,412 2,365 2,200 898 389 2,336 1,555 869 ÇELİKHAN 1,727 1,725 675 396 188 53 1,044 748 557 GERGER 1,352 977 131 552 26 146 0 0 105 GÖLBAŞI 7,430 6,188 2,434 1,887 575 236 2,624 500 765 KAHTA 4,800 3,434 646 1,802 167 496 1,465 1,247 986 MERKEZ 38,399 33,086 19,311 3,157 7,167 1,884 19,118 1,795 6,974 SAMSAT 366 261 24 50 0 4 0 0 24* SİNCİK 1,798 1,627 170 1,067 72 214 322 260 224* TUT 1,397 1,265 255 669 32 176 420 185 197 TOTAL 64,930 54,975 26,011 11,780 9,125 3,595 27,329 6,290 105 10,348 * The remaining 224 houses in the center of Sincik will be given to rightful owners from 2020. *24 rightful owners in Samsat will be included within the scope of the housing project. THERE IS A TOTAL NEED FOR 105 HOUSING UNITS President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended the “ Ceremony of Laying Foundation Stone for the Post- Eartquake Residental Units” in Adıyaman. 27.03.2023 TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 175 November 18, 2023 Adıyaman 176 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS • Diyarbakır AFAD Data - December 30, 2023 DİYARBAKIR PROVINCE GENERAL SITUATION DISTRICT AFAD MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, URBANIZATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE ON-SITE TRANSFORMATION JOINT NUMBER OF HOUSES TENDERED TENDER NEED NUMBER OF EXCESS HOUSING UNITS BY SETTLEMENT NUMBER OF DISASTER VICTIMS NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES NUMBER OF REQUESTS URBAN RURAL URBAN RURAL URBAN RURAL BAĞLAR 8,607 8,192 6,356 93 681 21 6,040 157 365* BİSMİL 800 813 440 86 191 14 0 249 ÇERMİK 610 339 177 99 35 79 238 96* ÇINAR 386 318 134 95 46 51 0 88 ÇÜNGÜŞ 601 360 153 101 31 17 322 200* DİCLE 306 285 154 58 47 30 0 152 107 EĞİL 37 45 17 15 2 8 0 15 ERGANİ 504 490 254 78 101 31 0 153 HANİ 620 517 127 260 46 71 0 81 HAZRO 110 107 61 29 10 1 0 51 KAYAPINAR 3,175 2,892 2,168 43 1,289 18 0 300 514 KOCAKÖY 172 168 66 50 3 3 0 63 KULP 699 780 268 227 70 75 0 198 LİCE 689 700 275 240 44 28 0 231 SİLVAN 423 348 171 74 46 10 0 125 SUR 1,267 840 452 177 36 23 0 416 YENİŞEHİR 2,233 1,675 1,171 80 296 8 0 875 TOTAL 21,239 18,869 12,444 1,805 2,974 488 6,600 609 3,166 0 *The remaining 365 houses in the center of Bağlar will be given to rightful owners from the Kayapınar district. *The remaining 96 houses in the center of Çermik will be given to rightful owners from 2020. *The remaining 200 houses in the center of Çüngüş will be given to rightful owners from 2020. THERE IS A TOTAL NEED FOR 3,166 HOUSING UNITS President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended the key delivery ceremony of 17 shops and 1432 social housing units and the ceremony of laying foundation stone for residences, which were held on Kışla Street in Diyarbakır. April 14, 2023 TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 177 November 20, 2023 Diyarbakır 178 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS • Elazığ AFAD Data - December 30, 2023 ELAZIĞ PROVINCE GENERAL SITUATION DISTRICT AFAD MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, URBANIZATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE ON- SITE TRANSFORMATION JOINT NUMBER OF HOUSES TENDERED TENDER NEED NUMBER OF EXCESS HOUSING UNITS BY SETTLEMENT NUMBER OF DISASTER VICTIMS NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES NUMBER OF REQUESTS URBAN RURAL URBAN RURAL URBAN RURAL AĞIN 54 57 2 39 0 2 142 0 140* ALACAKAYA 456 507 77 257 6 43 0 71 ARICAK 406 416 71 194 58 10 0 13 BASKİL 807 966 161 400 34 22 0 127 KARAKOÇAN 765 746 106 290 23 15 0 83 KEBAN 204 274 34 124 6 21 0 28 440* KOVANCILAR 859 894 200 386 29 13 611 MADEN 1,439 1,802 220 681 11 29 0 209 MERKEZ 13,580 16,206 6,308 2,435 856 100 1,887 3,565 PALU 864 934 246 296 29 15 428 211* SİVRİCE 374 427 93 106 4 2 130 41* TOTAL 19,808 23,229 7,518 5,208 1,056 272 3,198 272 4,096 0 *The remaining 140 houses in the center of Ağın will be given to rightful owners from 2020. *The remaining 440 houses in the center of Kovancılar will be given to rightful owners from 2020. *The remaining 211 houses in the center of Palu will be given to rightful owners from 2020. *The remaining 41 houses in the center of Sivrice will be given to rightful owners from 2020 THERE IS A TOTAL NEED FOR 4,096 HOUSING UNITS President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (on the left) delivered a speech at the ‘The Ceremony of Post-Earthquake Housing Project and Key Delivery Ceremony for Social Housing Units in Elazığ’ held in Abdullah Pasha Neighborhood. President Erdogan handed the house keys to the rightful owners. 01.04.2023 TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 179 September 8, 2023 48 schools in Elazığ were destroyed as a result of the 6,8 magnitude earthquake in Elazığ with the epicenter of Sivrice district, and the earth- quakes occurred afterward. 31 safer and modern schools were built and replaced the destroyed schools. The construction works were almost completed for 36 schools. 38 schools were strengthened and several schools were renovated, maintained and repaired. 180 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS July 12, 2023 Elazığ December 20, 2023 Elazığ TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 181 • Osmaniye AFAD Data - December 30, 2023 OSMANİYE PROVINCE GENERAL SITUATION DISTRICT AFAD MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT. URBANIZATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE ON- SITE TRANSFORMATION JOINT NUMBER OF HOUSES TENDERED TENDER NEED NUMBER OF EXCESS HOUSING UNITS BY SETTLEMENT NUMBER OF DISASTER VICTIMS NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES NUMBER OF REQUESTS URBAN RURAL URBAN RURAL URBAN RURAL ВАНÇЕ 1,690 1,621 597 394 165 98 0 150 432 DÜZİÇİ 3,339 2,421 1,370 400 413 344 1,209 300 252 HASANBEYLİ 905 757 242 302 4 101 504 300 266 KADİRLİ 2,909 2,040 986 583 336 204 0 306 650 MERKEZ 10,872 9,022 5,157 743 1,741 224 2,837 300 579 SUMBAS 387 209 48 108 15 54 190 0 157 TOPRAKKALE 178 123 73 11 8 9 152 0 87 TOTAL 20,280 16,193 8,473 2,541 2,682 1,034 4,892 1,356 1,661 762 THERE IS A TOTAL NEED FOR 1,661 HOUSING UNITS December 14, 2023 Osmaniye 182 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS • Şanlıurfa ŞANLIURFA PROVINCE GENERAL SITUATION DISTRICT AFAD MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, URBANIZATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE ON-SITE TRANSFORMATION JOINT NUMBER OF HOUSES TENDERED TENDER NEED NUMBER OF EXCESS HOUSING UNITS BY SETTLEMENT NUMBER OF DISASTER VICTIMS NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES NUMBER OF REQUESTS URBAN RURAL URBAN RURAL URBAN RURAL AKÇAKALE 395 352 48 202 1 0 300 47 BİRECİK 2,090 1,678 807 341 334 11 534 61 BOZOVA 1,037 663 89 468 59 43 30 CEYLANPINAR 238 217 67 49 13 0 54 EYYÜBİYE 1,467 1,042 460 220 127 52 3,202 208 2,158 HALFETİ 773 673 59 316 48 21 11* HALİLİYE 3,646 3,018 2,003 178 1,292 43 711* HARRAN 150 136 29 78 0 0 207 29 HILVAN 1,493 962 259 452 149 102 110 KARAKÖPRÜ 1,659 1,440 584 515 363 176 1,979 202 1,758 SİVEREK 1,711 1,441 305 600 1 3 304 SURUÇ 1,435 834 159 386 114 6 45 VİRANŞEHİR 812 709 206 270 60 0 146 TOTAL 16,906 13,165 5,075 4,075 2,561 457 5,715 917 765 3,977 *The need for 711 houses in the center of Haliliye will be met from the Eyyübiye district. AFAD Data - December 30, 2023 THERE IS A TOTAL NEED FOR 765 HOUSING UNITS TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 183 May 24, 2023 Şanlıurfa November 30, 2023 Şanlıurfa 184 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS • Adana ADANA PROVINCE GENERAL SITUATION DISTRICT AFAD MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, URBANIZATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE ON-SITE TRANSFORMATION JOINT NUMBER OF HOUSES TENDERED TENDER NEED NUMBER OF EXCESS HOUSING UNITS BY SETTLEMENT NUMBER OF DISASTER VICTIMS NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES NUMBER OF REQUESTS URBAN RURAL URBAN RURAL URBAN RURAL ALADAĞ 209 119 45 53 34 8 209 11* CEYHAN 2,090 1,399 930 0 172 1 958 200 ÇUKUROVA 3,777 3,453 2,463 20 1,010 5 1,544 91* FEKE 122 47 24 0 0 0 24* İMAMOĞLU 459 220 162 0 45 0 117 KARAİSALI 83 43 30 0 7 0 KARATAŞ 327 151 104 0 46 0 58 KOZAN 1,259 351 252 0 0 0 252 POZANTI 41 19 7 0 1 0 6* SAİMBEYLİ 114 38 33 0 16 1 17* SARIÇAM 1,137 669 459 54 147 13 1,694 7* SEYHAN 3,240 1,678 1,204 0 306 1 TUFANBEYLİ 276 142 65 20 51 20 14* YUMURTALIK 416 254 135 36 8 36 405 278 YÜREĞİR 2,270 797 557 20 103 21 TOTAL 15,820 9,380 6,470 203 1,946 106 4,604 209 427 478 *Central districts (Çukurova, Karaisalı, Sarıçam, Seyhan and Yüreğir) were evaluated together. *Districts of İmamoğlu, Karataş and Kozan require tenders. *Rightful owners from districts with a low number of houses will be placed in the remaining 98 houses in the center. AFAD Data - December 30, 2023 THERE IS A TOTAL NEED FOR 427 HOUSING UNITS TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 185 May 26, 2023 Adana 186 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS • Kilis KİLİS PROVINCE GENERAL SITUATION DISTRICT AFAD MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, URBANIZATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE ON-SITE TRANSFORMATION JOINT NUMBER OF HOUSES TENDERED TENDER NEED NUMBER OF EXCESS HOUSING UNITS BY SETTLEMENT NUMBER OF DISASTER VICTIMS NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES NUMBER OF REQUESTS URBAN RURAL URBAN RURAL URBAN RURAL ELBEYLİ 187 172 8 101 2 29 0 40 6* MERKEZ 2,002 1,276 395 350 135 89 1,743 125 1,477 MUSABEYLİ 777 684 50 422 3 92 125 216 79 POLATELİ 400 319 49 185 2 40 111 105 64 TOTAL 3,366 2,451 502 1,058 142 250 1,980 486 6 1,620 THERE IS A TOTAL NEED FOR 6 HOUSING UNITS AFAD Data - December 30, 2023 July 27, 2023 Kilis TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 187 Kilis 27 July 2023 188 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS The construction of residences, village houses, and barns in rural areas continues speedily in the districts. Foundations of a total of 9,374 struc- tures were laid. Directorate General of Construction Works, 26.12.2023 GENERAL VILLAGE SUMMARY Province Total Number of Villages Number of Villages Sent by AFAD Number of Housing Units Placed Number of Housing Units Approved by Spatial Number of Housing Units Approved Number of Villages Unapproved by Spatial Number of Housing Units with Unsuitable Placement Number of Tendered Housing Units Number of Tendered Stables Number of Villages Sent to Contractor Number of Villages Excavated Number of Housing Units Excavated Number of Housing Units with Laid Foundations Number of Housing Units with Halted Excavation Adana 1 122 1 122 102 11 3 0 0 0 0 Adıyaman 469 156 5000 144 4611 3 105 5543 580 124 44 1148 763 34 Diyarbakır 327 5 87 1 26 0 0 300 0 5 5 81 60 0 Gaziantep 454 145 3212 124 2482 6 165 4707 989 70 56 1625 1167 117 Hatay 375 169 9629 121 6489 1 25 6847 942 102 48 1647 1227 35 Kahramanmaraş 536 418 19410 382 17585 21 955 9214 1919 183 122 4516 3522 105 Kilis 126 31 633 26 577 1 16 486 0 19 12 217 188 1 Malatya 353 209 7297 169 6344 15 620 7542 740 114 83 2836 1992 255 Osmaniye 175 66 1936 51 1557 5 134 1356 270 32 17 397 294 0 Şanlıurfa 327 30 625 16 276 1 74 917 267 21 11 243 161 5 Total 3142 1230 47951 1035 40069 53 2094 37014 5718 673 398 12710 9374 552 All houses were completed and delivered to their rightful owners. BELPINAR VILLAGE OF THE NURDAĞI DISTRICT OF THE GAZİANTEP PROVINCE TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 189 The earthquake survivors started to use the village houses, which were built using light steel, based on the recommendations given by the scien- tists at the Earthquake Reality and Urban Transformation Council. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attended the key delivery ceremony of the village houses built in Belpınar village of Nurdağı district of Gazian- tep, Belpınar, and Mesthüyük villages, which were affected by the earthqu- akes in Kahramanmaraş. He also attended the ceremony held at Türkoğlu Özbek village in Kahramanmaraş. April 22, 2023 190 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 191 December 31, 2023 The Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Mehmet Özhaseki, attended the ‘Key Delivery Ceremony of Village Houses’ held at the Wedding Palace of Malatya Metropolitan Municipality and handed the keys to the earthquake survivors. December 15, 2023 192 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS The “On-Site Transformation” project offers citizens the opportunity to rebuild their homes under the control of the Ministry. This project pro- vides grants and loans to the earthquake survivors. It is initiated under the supervision of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Cli- mate Change and supported by the Housing Development Administra- tion (TOKİ). Thanks to the decision of our President, the following updated grants and loans are provided to citizens within the scope of the project: • 750 thousand TRY grant, 750 thousand TRY loan for residences, • 750 thousand TRY grant, 750 thousand TRY loan for village houses, • 750 thousand TRY grant, 1 million TRY loan for village houses with barns, • 400 thousand TRY grant, 400 thousand TRY loan for workplaces, The project offers interest-free loans with a 10-year term and no repay- ment for the first two years. 10% of grants and loans will be paid to the citizens in advance while the rest will be paid based on the progress level. 252 thousand citizens applied to the “On-Site Transformation” project and the construction of 14 thousand houses has started. Thanks to the on-site transformation model, the neighborhood culture and local civil architecture diversity will be preserved and cities will be rebuilt based on their historical values and silhouette. 22 construction and transformation offices were officially opened with- in the scope of the “On-Site Transformation” project. The offices operate in five provinces affected by the earthquakes. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 193 January 2, 2024 194 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS International Cooperation The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also contributed to the rebuilding and recovery efforts. It worked with the relevant institutions to prepare the post-earthquake damage assessment and needs assessment report. The Ministry promptly started necessary activities to prepare a damage-loss assessment report, as a result of the proposals of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank (WB) and after the consulta- tions with the relevant institutions, based on the “Post-Disaster Needs Assessment - PDNA” methodology, which is an advanced international standard for such reports, with the support of the UNDP, WB and EU. In this context, the Presidency of Strategy and Budget led the efforts of establishing a core group consisting of experts from the Ministry, the Directorate for EU Affairs, the Ministry of Treasury and Finance, UNDP, the World Bank and the EU, and 16 sectoral working groups. As a result of these activities, the “Türkiye Earthquakes Recovery and Reconstruc- tion Assessment (TERRA)” report was published on the night of March 17, 2023. It included a damage/loss assessment and a vision for the de- sired recovery. According to the report, the total financial cost of the earthquakes for the country is 103.6 billion USD. A protocol was signed between TOKİ and MIDA, which is the equivalent housing institution of Azerbaijan to carry out a grant project to rebuild Azerbaijan Street with 1000 houses, social facilities, schools, and cultur- al centers. The ceremony for laying the foundation stone was held with the participation of President Erdoğan and President Aliyev via a live connection. A cooperation agreement was also signed between Türkiye and Uzbeki- stan. Uzbekistan provided a grant to build houses in the Arsuz district of Hatay, which was affected by the Kahramanmaraş-based earthquakes. Within the scope of the agreement, a construction project was launched to build 308 residences in the region. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 195 196 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Aerial Footage Showing Before-After and the Ongoing Works In Hatay province, aerial footage from the city’s busiest streets before and after the earthquake revealed the scale of the destruction. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 197 198 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 199 200 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS The immediate aftermath of the earthquake in Malatya province and the ongoing efforts captured through continuous photographs taken from the same angles. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 201 202 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 203 204 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 205 206 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS 5.5. Uninterrupted Education TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 207 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes of February 6, 2023, were among the top disasters that claimed the most lives and inflicted the most severe dam- age in the history of the Republic. The earthquakes hit the region in severe winter conditions and destroyed quite large areas, affecting all aspects of life including educational environments and activities. While 21,4 percent of all students in Türkiye receive education in 11 provinces in the earth quake zone, 19,1 percent of the total teachers in Türkiye work in this region. In this context, after the analysis of educational structures, heavily dam- aged buildings were demolished and rebuilt, and moderately damaged buildings were repaired and strengthened. Undamaged school buildings and other facilities outside the earthquake zone were used to meet the accommodation needs of the earthquake survivors. The tents manufac- tured by the vocational education centers and lifelong learning institu- tions were dispatched to the region. Accommodation centers were creat- ed by establishing tent and container cities. 208 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS The central and provincial organizations of the Ministry of National Ed- ucation (the MoNE) manufactured several products from bread to daily hot meals and dry food, from masks to hygiene products, from clothes to blankets, sleeping bags, and heating tools, which were delivered to the earthquake survivors. The volunteer teachers from different parts of Türkiye carried out search and rescue efforts. Psychosocial support activities were conducted to minimize the negative emotions of earthquake survivors. Students were transferred to the provinces they wanted. One hundred thousand stu- dents benefited from the additional quota that was provided. Scholar- ship opportunities were also offered. The Ministry fulfilled teachers’ requests for transfer to other provinc- es outside the earthquake zone. Volunteer teachers working outside the earthquake zone were assigned to the earthquake zone. Assignments at different times helped to fulfill teachers’ relocation requests related to their health status and family unity. Data on Teachers Working in 11 Provinces at the Earthquake Zone 0 10,000 20,000 13,869 12,679 13,233 62,829 60,455 61,921 74,739 72,564 73,865 70,095 66,912 68,330 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000 80,000 03.02.2023 11.06.2023 04.10.2023 18,625 18,672 18,702 Primary School Middle School Pre-School Secondary School Non-Formal Education TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 209 Thanks to transported education services, both students and teachers enjoyed access to education. Training courses and summer schools were opened to minimize learning losses, and public education courses were also offered in the fields of clothing, handicrafts, embroidery, art design, visual arts, decorative arts, fashion design, food and beverage, etc. for people outside the formal education system. The course subjects of the second semester were determined and the textbooks were printed and delivered to the students together with the auxiliary resources and stationery sets. The MoNE distributed the tab- lets obtained with the resources of the Ministry and donations of philan- thropists to the students to facilitate their access to educational materi- als in the digital environment. Data on Students in 11 Provinces at the Earthquake Zone 0 200,000 400,000 328,632 356,347 327,954 1,285,633 1,217,327 1,293,247 1,211,689 1,165,126 1,197,409 1,312,345 1,316,580 1,127,052 600,000 800,000 1,000,000 1,200,000 1,400,000 03.02.2023 11.06.2023 04.10.2023 Primar School Middle School Pre-School Secondary School The Ministry of National Education conducted comprehensive activi- ties, which are described in detail under the chapters of this study, to im- prove the physical infrastructure of the educational environments in the 210 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS earthquake region, increase the quality of educational activities, meet the material and psychological needs of the students and citizens in the earthquake zone and minimize the negative effects of the disaster of the century. It still carries out a significant part of the activities throughout the region. Activities of the Central and Provincial Organization Units of the MoNE Search and Rescue The MoNE’s numerous Search and Rescue Teams from different prov- inces of Türkiye participated in search and rescue efforts. Furthermore, a large number of its employees contributed to several activities includ- ing food service, tent coordination, civil defense service, education, and training services in the mobile kitchens in the earthquake zone. The MoNE’s Search and Rescue Units consist of approximately 5 thou- sand people, who participated in the search and rescue efforts. The MoNE monitored the movement, status and locations of 225 teams working in the earthquake zone to eliminate any shortage in the provin- cial/district teams based on the requests sent to the disaster and emer- gency management center. It also monitored the material needs and fol- lowed up the notifications that required operation in the debris area and deployed the teams in the region. From 81 provincial directorates of the MoNE, 173 employees with first aid training supported the emergency response in the earthquake zone. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 211 The MONE’s Search and Rescue teams, their coordinated personnel and managers, and 24,085 employees, who worked to reduce the effects of the earthquakes, received a certificate of achievement. Accommodation and Catering Services In order to meet the accommodation needs of earthquake survivors, tents were set up in the MoNE’s boarding schools, teachers’ houses, prac- tice hotels, and school gardens in 81 provinces of Türkiye. School staff also provided cleaning and hot meal services at the boarding schools, teachers’ houses, in-service training institutes, and practice hotels in the earthquake zone. 465 thousand people benefited from accommodation services, while 1.5 million people received hot meal services daily. Within the scope of Article 7 of the Presidential Decree No. 127, a total of 754,180 earthquake survivors received accommodation services and benefited from a total of 1 million 325 thousand 976 meal services be- tween 06 February 2023 and 27 September 2023 provided at the teach- ers’ houses and evening art schools under the Ministry of National Ed- ucation. In addition to this, 10 million 642 thousand 867 meals were provided to the earthquake survivors by these institutions. For these services, a total amount of TRY 627.920.827,13 was transferred to the teachers’ houses and evening art schools from the budget of the Ministry of National Education as of 30 June 2023. 212 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Teachers’ needs for containers were determined on a district basis, based on the results of one-to-one interviews with both newly appoint- ed teachers and currently working teachers to assess the housing needs of teachers in the provinces affected by the earthquake and to meet these needs. These needs were met in such a way that teachers were able to stay with their families. After the assessment, the MoNE sent the results of the need assessment to the Presidency of AFAD Presidency, and the AFAD dispatched a total of 11 thousand 76 containers to the provinces. The following table provides information about the containers estab- lished to meet teachers’ accommodation needs on a provincial basis. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 213 Data on Containers Established for Teachers’ Accommodation Province Number of Containers Hatay 6,343 Adıyaman 1,278 Kahramanmaraş 1,500 Malatya 893 Şanlıurfa 51 Gaziantep 411 Osmaniye 400 Kilis 200 Total 11,076 Manufacturing Activities Teams consisting of volunteer master teachers, students, and teachers of lifelong learning institutions, advanced technical schools for girls, pub- lic education centers, and vocational high schools manufactured sev- eral products including sleeping bags, tracksuits, vests, blankets, baby piques, shoes, boots, slippers, scarves, gloves, shawls, beanies, knitwear, duvets, duvet covers, foam mattresses, bread, cold sandwiches, cookies, hot meals, infant formulas, hygiene materials, masks, shrouds, wood stoves, electric stoves. These products were distributed to the earth- quake survivors in the affected provinces and other provinces. 214 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Vocational high school students manufacture mattresses for earthquake survivors. In 11 workshops, 375 textile machines were installed, and a total of 12 thousand 7 products were manufactured, especially in the field of home textiles and home apparel, to meet the needs of the people staying in tents and other areas. Furthermore, a fund of TRY 388,306.00 was trans- ferred to meet the urgent needs in the region and to provide raw materi- als to the workshops in 70 provinces outside the earthquake zone. The General Directorate for Lifelong Learning established Support and Coordination Centers to resume the non-formal education activities carried out by public education centers, advanced technical schools for girls and open education schools in the earthquake zone and support the people in the region. The locations of these centers were determined TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 215 by considering the locations of container cities or tent cities established by the AFAD. A total fund of TRY 8,771,039 was used to establish the centers and meet the urgent needs of the institutions in these provinces. The Ministry of National Education created a database to monitor the Support and Coordination Centers. Support and coordination centers were opened at 93 locations in 10 provinces. These centers employed 329 employees from 42 institutions in 23 provinces outside the region and 670 employees from institutions within the region (between February 6 and March 13, 2023). Psychosocial Support Services The provincial directorates of national education established psycho- social support teams to prevent psychological issues and disorders that may arise after a disaster, re-establish/develop relationships at the lev- el of family and community, ensure that earthquake survivors realize and strengthen their own capacities in the process of returning to their “normal” lives, and increase their ability to cope with possible future di- sasters and emergencies in the society. Both earthquake survivors in the region and survivors who moved to other provinces received psychoso- cial support services. Expert teachers in the teams established by the provincial directorates of national education and district directorates of national education provided psychosocial support in the affected prov- inces on the basis of a weekly rotating assignments. 216 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Psychosocial Support Project was developed to improve the skills of counselors/psychological counselors, who provide psychosocial support services. This project aimed to increase the psychological resilience of students, teachers, and parents facing difficulties, help them cope with the traumatic effects of these events, facilitate their adaptation to the normalization process, and disseminate structured psychoeducation support materials and equipment. The 1st phase of the project covered the period between March 6th, 2023 and June 2nd, 2023. The following activities were carried out during this period. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 217 “Post-Traumatic Group-Based Intervention Program (TSGTM) Trainer Training” was developed for teachers/counselors who will support the heavily affected students. In this context, it is planned to deliver this training programme in seven provinces (Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir, Mersin, Antalya, Van, Samsun). 598 school counselors/ psychological counselors from 81 provinces received the training programme in these provinces. Within the scope of the Psychosocial Support Project, a Support Training Kit was developed for student activities to be conducted during and after challenging life events. 1250 copies of the kit materials were primarily dis- tributed in the earthquake zone. The Project of Psychoeducation in Challenging Life Events (ZOYOP) in- cluded 18 storybooks, one poster, five brochures, two information guides, two first aid books for psychological counselors/guidance teachers, eight psychoeducation programs, and one post-traumatic group-based inter- vention program. The materials were published and distributed through- out the country, primarily in the earthquake zone. Within the scope of the project, 12 storybooks for psychological resilience were also developed to make the books accessible to visually impaired students. Each storybook consists of 36 pages and is designed by us- ing both Braille (relief) form and printed writing form to allow parents, teachers, and peers to read the book at the same time with the visually impaired student. The printed books were delivered to the students at the beginning of the 2023-2024 academic year. 18 storybooks and 2 booklets of children’s games were developed to fa- cilitate the healing process based on the characteristics and needs of in- dividuals. These books aimed to support the psychosocial support activi- ties offered by school guidance and psychological counseling services and guidance and research centers and support the normalization process after challenging life events with artistic materials and/or studies such as games and storybooks, especially at preschool and primary school levels. 18 sto- rybooks include nine preschool-level books and nine primary school-level books. Two booklets consist of a total of 60 games, 30 games at the pre- school level and 30 games at the primary school level. A Psychosocial Coordination Unit consisting of 39 experts was estab- lished under the Ministry of National Education to provide faster, more ef- fective, and efficient psychosocial support services after the earthquakes. 218 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Experts from the MoNE’s Psychosocial Support Team contacted the guidance and research centers and provincial/district psychosocial sup- port teams in the region to plan the psychosocial support activities to be carried out in the region after the earthquake and ensure the necessary coordination and information flow between the teams. The Psychosocial Coordination Unit organized online meetings with the managers of the guidance and research centers and provincial units of the MoNE to plan the psychosocial support activities to be carried out. A Psychosocial Support Action Plan was prepared for the provinces in the disaster area and other provinces that were not directly affected by the disaster and shared with the provincial directorates of national ed- ucation. The documents to be used in psychosocial support activities were uploaded to the website of the Ministry of National Education and shared with school counselors/psychological counselors. These activi- ties were carried out within the framework of the Application Principles for the Psychosocial Support Action Plan. 4 thousand 574 school counselors/psychological counselors provided psychosocial support in 416 tents/units in 11 provinces. School counselors/psychological counselors applied psychological first aid (PID) to students, teachers, and parents in 11 provinces to meet the basic physical or psychological needs of people affected by the earth- quake, reduce possible post-traumatic stress symptoms as much as pos- sible, and support more adaptive functionality for coping in the short term and long term. Psychosocial support teams distributed the psychological first aid doc- uments, which were prepared in advance for the activities to be carried out in the acute period, along with the books on psychological resilience in the family and at school after traumatic life events, and storybooks supporting children’s understanding and recovery. 4,267 psychosocial support kits were prepared and sent to the provinces directly affected by the earthquakes to carry out psychosocial support activities more effectively. The psychosocial support kit consists of ma- terials such as a playbook, sketchbook, and crayons. Brochures were prepared for families, teachers and adults to provide in- formative content in the provinces affected by the earthquakes. In this TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 219 context, a total of 1 million 518 thousand 286 brochures were distributed in the provinces in the earthquake zone. The MoNE obtained data on psychosocial support services carried out by field coordinators in the earthquake zone on a daily basis. Thanks to these efforts, psychosocial support services benefited a total of 1 million 573 thousand 504 people, including 1 million 59 thousand 854 students and 513 thousand 650 parents in 11 provinces until December 2023. While psychosocial support services are continued in the region affected by the earthquakes, psychosocial support activities are also offered to parents and students who moved to other provinces or placed in other institutions and organizations under the Ministry. The table below pres- ents the relevant data. Data on Psychosocial Support Activities Individual Student Interviews Participants in Group Interviews with Students Parent Interviews Total 440,654 215,094 470,948 1,126,696 A guide for teachers was prepared and shared with schools/institutions to facilitate teacher’s interactions with students on the first day of the school year (February 20th, 2023) in 70 provinces. To increase the effectiveness and efficiency of field activities, the Minis- try also prepared a video to answer the questions that may be encoun- tered in the field. During the second phase of the psychosocial action plan, school coun- selors/psychological counselors delivered “earthquake training courses” to teachers and parents between 20-24 February 2023 in 70 provinces outside the earthquake zone. The second phase of the psychosocial action plan included the earth- quake psychoeducation program, which was implemented in schools of 70 provinces outside the earthquake zone by the counselors. It reached a total of 4 million 379 thousand 916 people including 954 thousand 414 teachers and 3 million 425 thousand 502 parents between 20-24 Febru- ary 2023. 220 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS The Ministry of National Education (MoNE) distributed brochures to help families recover from psychological trauma. Within the scope of psychosocial support services, the Earthquake Psychoeducation Program also benefited 10 million 788 thousand 182 students at preschool, primary, secondary, and high school levels in 81 provinces. Teachers and parents received training courses on loss and grief given by the school counselors/psychological counselors. The school counselors/psychological counselors also implemented the “Grief Psychoeducation Programme”, which was prepared for students who suffered severe losses in their lives. This programme is specifically developed for each level in terms of loss and grief. Training for “Post-Traumatic Group-Based Intervention Program (TS- GTM)” was prepared for school counselors/psychological counselors to reduce the symptoms caused by a traumatic event, develop skills to cope with traumatic stress and anxiety, create a perception of control, increase psychological resilience, reduce the risk of disorder, provide peer and parent support, and support the students who were severely affected by the earthquake and who were identified based on the obser- vations of teachers and families. This training programme was delivered to a total of 550 school counselors/psychological counselors. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 221 The school counselors/psychological counselors, who received the train- ing programme, implemented the “Post-Traumatic Group-Based Inter- vention Programme”. Within this scope, support services are also offered to the employees working in the field, if any need arises. In this context, academic sup- port is provided in cooperation with the universities. Within the scope of monitoring and evaluation activities, daily field data are monitored through the e-Guidance module. Based on their observations, school counselors/psychological coun- selors referred the students who showed severe post-traumatic stress symptoms to the health institutions. Psychosocial support service units provided services during the school holidays and continued to offer these services also during the summer at 41 guidance and research centers in 10 provinces heavily affected by the earthquake. The Ministry developed materials to be used for psychosocial support during any possible disaster affecting Türkiye. These materials included books, psychoeducation programmes, animations, educational videos, storybooks, guides, presentations, brochures, and posters. The coun- 222 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS selors used these materials for the activities conducted after the Kahra- manmaraş earthquake. With the beginning of the 2023-2024 academic year, academic training courses and psychosocial activities were carried out for 2,744 guidance teachers/psychological counselors working in 49 districts including Is- lahiye and Nurdağı districts of Gaziantep and districts of Hatay, Kahra- manmaraş, Adıyaman, Malatya and Adana provinces. A total of 1,370 teachers received information about “Developmental and Preventive Services” and “Reformative and Support Services” within the scope of guidance and psychological counseling services provided at the beginning of the 2023-2024 academic year. Public education centers both in the earthquake zone and in other prov- inces opened several courses in the fields of handicraft technology, reli- gious education, clothing manufacturing technology, sports, music and performing arts, health, child development and education, literacy, for- eign languages, personal development and education, information tech- nologies, beauty and hair care services, art and design, traditional games and intelligence games, food and beverage services, teaching, security services, family school, office management, and secretarial services. Several participants attended these courses. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 223 Transfer Procedures for the Students in the Earthquake Zone The Ministry updated the e-School Management Information System in the second semester of the 2022-2023 academic year after the earth- quake. These updates offered the option of “Transfer due to a Natural Disaster” to the students registered in the affected provinces. 224 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS The updates of the E-school system also included measures so that ad- dress registration documents will not be required during registration and transfer procedures for the students of the 1st and 5th grades and transfers for intermediary grades to prevent any problems during the registration and transfer processes of the students since the address processes remained uncompleted for the citizens who returned to their settlements in the earthquake zone in the 2023-2024 academic year. Thanks to these measures, the transfers of the students were carried out immediately without causing any grievance. The table below shows the number of transfers from 11 provinces to other provinces after the earthquake for all education levels as of 07 September 2023, including the data regarding the students returning to their own cities. Data on Student Transfer Procedures Province Number of Students Before the Earthquake Number of Transfers Number of Returning Students Adana 505,454 6,256 3,528 Adıyaman 157,046 27,921 16,920 Diyarbakır 477,980 5,010 2,075 Elazığ 115,919 562 360 Gaziantep 637,302 19,105 12,281 Hatay 451,150 95,832 42,113 Kahramanmaraş 290,889 62,570 40,630 Kilis 54,563 526 404 Malatya 170,575 47,241 26,200 Osmaniye 137,484 5,531 3,231 Şanlıurfa 710,694 6,395 2,192 Transportation and Catering Services The students received transported education services and also benefit- ed from free lunch according to the decision regarding the transfer of students, who were studying at schools destroyed or damaged by the earthquake, pursuant to Article 22 of the MoNE’s Regulation on Access to Education by Transported Education Services. Within the scope of the Transported Education services, free lunches are also provided to the students, who continue their education and train- ing at schools that provided lunch services but have not received lunch TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 225 service before, and to the teachers who took part in support and training courses. The Ministry followed up the funds transferred to the provinces closely so that contractors who provide transportation and meal services in the earthquake zone shall not suffer any loss. To cover the possible losses of the contractors, the Ministry immediately paid additional price dif- ferences between September 2022 and February 2023 for the transpor- tation services. It also obtained information on the shuttles to be used in the region and approximately 2,500 school buses were dispatched to their places of duty. Support and Training Courses Support and training courses were also opened to minimize learning loss- es caused by the earthquake and to support the well-being of students, especially in the earthquake zone. Volunteer teachers were assigned to deliver support and training courses at temporary classrooms established in the earthquake zone for students pre- paring for LGS (High School Entrance Exam) and YKS (Entrance to Higher Education Institutions exam) exams. The Ministry of National Education developed the course materials to be used during support and training courses. The materials were printed and delivered to the earthquake zone. 226 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Data on Support and Training Courses Provinces Number of 8th graders Date on Support and Training Courses for the 2022-2023 Academic Year Data on ST Courses Opened in the Earthquake Zone Course Centers Number of Courses Number of Students Permanent Teachers Course Centers Number of Courses Number of Students Permanent Teachers Adana 32,344 261 3,089 14,164 2,003 1 6 8 6 Adıyaman 7,471 143 1,297 4,771 879 23 182 659 100 Diyarbakır 26,575 217 2,436 9,816 1,497 2 12 17 12 Elazığ 7,435 74 543 2,237 415 1 5 20 5 Gaziantep 41,724 288 4,323 18,067 2,582 14 171 459 53 Hatay 25,357 347 3,608 15,059 2,455 42 564 2,161 224 Malatya 7,242 122 904 3,186 698 10 146 647 54 Kahramanmaraş 14,308 231 2,414 9,305 1,563 16 136 544 79 Şanlıurfa 41,663 409 3,507 14,239 2,440 1 4 7 0 Kilis 3,136 32 358 1,432 219 0 0 0 0 Osmaniye 8,121 90 990 3,992 692 11 158 559 84 Total 215,376 2,214 23,469 96,268 15,443 121 1,384 5,081 617 In addition to this, summer schools were opened between August 1st and September 1st, 2022-2023 within the scope of support and train- ing courses in line with the programmes which are based on the critical achievements determined by the Ministry of National Education for stu- dents from the 2nd-grade to the 12th-grade level to eliminate the learn- ing losses for the second semester of the 2022-2023 academic year in 11 provinces affected by the earthquakes. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 227 Summer Schools Opened in the Earthquake Zone Provinces Number of Course Centers Number of Courses Number of Students Number of Permanent Teachers Adana 135 940 6,680 375 Adıyaman 65 536 3,158 224 Diyarbakır 117 1,184 8,211 446 Elazığ 12 68 389 34 Gaziantep 180 2,102 14,925 756 Hatay 185 1,720 10,375 606 Kahramanmaraş 75 633 4,266 227 Kilis 18 198 1,149 76 Malatya 48 450 2,506 161 Osmaniye 72 731 4,230 278 Şanlıurfa 132 978 6,587 325 Total 1,039 9,540 62,476 3,508 The Ministry of Family and Social Services and the Ministry of National Education signed a Cooperation Protocol for Supporting the Earthquake Zone Programme. This programme offered courses in the fields of visual arts, sports, music, and informatics between July 24 and September 1, 2023, to the students between the 2nd and 12th-grade levels in provinces affected by the earthquakes. Data on Training Courses Opened in the Earthquake Zone Provinces Number of Course Centers Number of Courses Number of Students Number of Permanent Teachers Diyarbakır 1 1 21 1 Elazığ 1 1 12 1 Gaziantep 11 67 644 19 Hatay 2 4 64 2 Kahramanmaraş 3 12 123 6 Kilis 2 6 74 4 Malatya 1 1 7 1 Şanlıurfa 6 17 200 11 Total 27 109 1,145 45 To minimize the learning losses caused by the earthquake, the sections of the textbooks taught in the 2022-2023 academic year were reprinted 228 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS and distributed to the students. In addition to this, programmes for the Turkish language, mathematics, social studies, religious culture, ethics, science, and English language were developed for the students, who suf- fered learning loss in the second semester of the 2022-2023 academic year. These programmes were launched on September 11, 2023. Preparation of Auxiliary Resources Auxiliary resources were developed in cooperation with UNICEF to min- imize the learning losses of students in the earthquake zone. Within the scope of the project, three workshops were organized with the partici- pation of 252 teachers, who are experts in their fields. 16 topic tests for improving learning and 26 resource books for catch-up education were prepared for the students in the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. The Ministry ensured online access to 26 auxiliary resources including aux- iliary test books and catch-up education materials for the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th graders so that teachers and students can access the files in the digital environment at https://ogmmateryal.eba.gov.tr/. In this context, 5 million 280 thousand 846 auxiliary books were published and distribut- ed to the students in the earthquake zone. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 229 Information on Free Textbooks and Auxiliary Resources Work Description Quantity Amount in TL Textbook Printing and Distribution (330 different books) 15,561,420 175,014,570,05 Auxiliary Resource Printing and Distribution (97 different resources) 11,324,265 251,446,375,44 Total 26,885,685 426,460,945,49 Data on Preparation of Auxiliary Resources for the Secondary Education Level Work Description Prepared Resources (For 9th,10th, 11th and 12th grades) Number of Participants Preparation of Auxiliary Resources Workshop 1 Subject Enhancement Test Books 84 teachers, who are experts in their fields Preparation of Auxiliary Resources Workshop 2 Compensatory Training Books 84 teachers, who are experts in their fields Auxiliary Resources Preparation Workshop 3 3-Step TYT-AYT-YDT Practice Exams and Test Books 84 teachers, who are experts in their fields 230 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS 7.5 million textbooks, 5.5 million auxiliary resources, and 130 thousand stationery sets were delivered to the students in the earthquake zone and students who were transferred to other provinces from this region. Tablet Delivery and Distribution The Donors provided TRY 112,051,757.62 cash aid and donated 27 thou- sand tablets based on the condition that 38 thousand tablets would be purchased. 23 thousand tablets were purchased with the allocated funds and TRY 44,100,000 was spent for this purpose. The donated tablets and the tablets purchased with the funds of donors and funds from the budget of the Ministry of National Education were distributed to the students in the provinces affected by the earthquake. During tablet distribution, priority was given to the 8th and 12th-grade students affected by the earthquake. The Table below provides informa- tion on tablets distributed in the provinces. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 231 Number of Tablet Sets Distributed in Provinces Affected by Earth- quake Provinces The Number of Tablets Adana 5,000 Adıyaman 12,000 Diyarbakır 5,000 Elazığ 2,000 Gaziantep 5,750 Hatay 16,000 Kahramanmaraş 14,000 Kilis 2,000 Malatya 12,000 Osmaniye 4,000 Şanlıurfa 5,000 Total 82,750 Procurement and Distribution of Television Sets 30 thousand TVs were purchased with the funds allocated from the budget and TRY 67,172,500.00 was spent for this purpose. In addition to this, 10 television donations were received. TV purchases aimed to help 232 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS the students in the affected provinces follow the lessons broadcasted on TRT EBA channels. The Table below provides information about the TV sets distributed in the provinces. Number of Televisions Sent to Provinces Affected by Earthquake Provinces Number of Televisions Adıyaman 6,300 Gaziantep 3,500 Hatay 7,010 Kahramanmaraş 2,900 Malatya 7,800 Osmaniye 2,500 Total 27,110 TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 233 Mobile Science Center (Science Bus) After the earthquake, the Mobile Science Center supported the psycho- social support activities carried out for the students in the region. It of- fered scientific experiment sets that provided students the opportunity to have fun while learning and learn by experience in many different fields including astronomy, physics, mathematics, geography, biology, and chemistry. The Mobile Science Center carried out several activities by visiting all tent cities in Kahramanmaraş, Gaziantep, and Malatya provinces, in- cluding the dormitories and container areas where the earthquake sur- vivors stayed. Approximately 25 thousand students received services in these regions. These activities allowed students to access scientific information and learn the interaction between science and technology. Along with the psychosocial support activities, science activities also helped the stu- dents forget their painful memories to some extent. Interactive Board Installations In the earthquake zone, the Ministry fulfilled the fund requests of the provinces for the transportation of interactive boards from the damaged schools. 15 thousand interactive boards were installed, by giving priority to the provinces in the earthquake zone. 234 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Assessment, Evaluation and Examination Within the scope of support and training courses, 14 teachers from dif- ferent branches delivered courses to the earthquake survivors, who were preparing for the Higher Education Institutions Exam (YKS) and the High School Entrance Exam, on the Black Sea Lifeship Rauf Bey Ship in Iskenderun between April 24-27, 2023. A total of 24 test booklets were sent to the earthquake zone including six practice tests for the High School Entrance Exam (LGS), twelve prac- tice tests for the Basic Proficiency Test (TYT), and six practice tests for the Field Proficiency Test (AYT). Volunteer teachers administered these tests to the students in the region under the coordination of the Ministry of National Education. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 235 In the earthquake zone, additional exam halls were established in 49 school buildings for the students who will take the Central Examination for Secondary Education Institutions that Admit Students by Examina- tion. 7 thousand 900 additional exam documents were sent for these halls. Furthermore, the number of booklets and answer sheets to be used in these additional halls was increased from 12 to 20, considering that survivor students can take exams in different provinces. Additional halls were also established in 23 school buildings for students who will take the Scholarship Exam for Primary and Secondary Educa- tion Institutions in the provinces affected by the earthquake. 6,500 ad- ditional exam documents were sent to these halls. The Ministry excluded the topics and learning outcomes of the 2nd se- mester for the students who took the Central Exam for Secondary Edu- cation Institutions and the Scholarship Exam for Primary and Second- ary Education Institutions within the scope of the High School Transi- tion System. The students were only held responsible for the topics and learning outcomes in the first semester of the courses. The Ministry increased the 70 thousand scholarship quota allocated for the Primary and Secondary Education Institutions Scholarship Exam to 100 thousand for the earthquake zone in 2023. A temporary article was added to the MoNE’s Regulation on Scholarships, Social Assistance and Boarding Services Offered in Public Schools to use 30 percent of the 100 thousand quotas for the students in the earthquake zone. 236 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Students, who were registered in provinces that were under the state of emergency due to the earthquake, were able to take the Central Ex- amination for Secondary Education Institutions that Admit Students by Exam in any province they requested. For the earthquake survivor students who did not have any preference in terms of exam place, the Ministry of National Education identified the schools where the exam would be administered, to prevent any negative effect on these students. Students, who were registered in the provinces that were under the state of emergency due to the earthquake, were able to choose the place of the High School Entrance exam, based on the existing secondary edu- cation registration areas in the provinces where they completed the first semester of the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition to this, they were also able to choose any schools that admit students on the basis of lo- cal placement in other provinces outside the earthquake zone as if these schools were located in their “area of registration”. The students, who were registered in the provinces that were under the state of emergency due to the earthquake but were not placed in any school although they opted for local placement during the preference period of the High School Transition System, were placed into schools that admit students via local placement without considering the school quotas if they applied to the student placement and transfer commis- sions in the province/district they were located. During the process of the High School Transition, students who pre- ferred to be placed in schools that admit students with the central exam received an additional quota of 2 students for every 30 quotas. Addition- al quotas were distributed based on students’ scores and preferences within the framework of central placement principles. New e-Test rooms were also opened. Scholarships, Education Support and Free Boarding Services The Presidential Decree on Measures Taken in the Field of Education under the State of Emergency dated 03 March 2023 and numbered 131 ensured that affected students could be placed in other school hostels of the same provinces or throughout the country free of charge. Within this scope, the scholarships of the boarded students with scholarships were not cut during the 2022-2023 academic year in accordance with the rel- evant provision of the Decree, including those who were transferred to TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 237 a private school. Furthermore, in the 2023-2024 academic year, the stu- dents could also use the vacant quotas of the school hostels throughout the country free of charge if they wanted to. Within the scope of the Presidential Decree on Measures Taken in the Field of Education under the State of Emergency dated 03 March 2023 and numbered 131, 820 secondary school students who lost their moth- ers, fathers, or guardians due to the earthquake received monthly edu- cation support starting from February 2023 until the end of the academ- ic year 2022-2023. The support amount was as much as the amount of scholarships provided under Law No. 2684. In addition to this, a Cooperation Protocol was signed between the Min- istry of National Education, the Turkish Education Association (TED), and the Turkish Education Foundation (TEV) on March 22, 2023, to pro- vide scholarships to the students who lost their mothers or fathers or both parents (with appointed guardians) and who faced financial diffi- culties and students with intermediate to advanced and very advanced special needs due to the earthquake that occurred on February 6, 2023, or the earthquakes that occurred later. Practices for Students Studying in Private Schools The e-Government web application gave authorization to the parents of students who are registered in private schools for the transfer and transition from private schools to other schools in the provinces heavily affected by the earthquakes that occurred on February 6, 2023. In this context, in the second semester of the 2022-2023 academic year, a total of 37 thousand 212 students, 24 thousand 226 at the primary education level and 12 thousand 986 at the secondary education level in 10 affected provinces were transferred through the e-Government system. The free education quota for students, which was 3 percent in private schools, was increased to 10 percent for the students affected by earth- quakes. Within the scope of the increased quota, a total of 21,894 stu- dents, 15,076 at the primary education level and 6,818 at the secondary education level benefited from the free education quota in the 2022-2023 academic year. A total of TRY 667,768.25 education support was provided to 148 stu- dents, who studied in private schools pursuant to the following provi- sion of Presidential Decree No. 131 on Measures Taken in the Field of Ed- 238 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS ucation Under the State of Emergency: “Preschool, primary and secondary school students whose parents or guardians have lost their lives due to the earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023 will be given monthly education support, regardless of their placement as free boarding until the end of 2022-2023 academic year in accordance with the amount of schol- arship paid to students determined by the Law No. 2684. Students will be required to continue formal education in order to benefit from education support”. It also preserved the scholarship rights of students affected by earthquakes, outside the scope of special rights granted by law until the end of the 2022- 2023 academic year, even if they were transferred to a private school. In this context, the Ministry of National Education made scholarship payments of 1,200 affected students, who were transferred to private schools. Private schools in the earthquake zone, which were not able to hold schol- arship exams in January, February and March according to Article 62 of the Regulation on Private Education Institutions, were allowed to hold the exam on the date they wanted in the 2022-2023 academic for the students transferred from the affected provinces, provided that they obtained the permission of the Governorship and limited to these students only. Preschool Activities in the Earthquake Zone Preschool classrooms were established in the public institutions where tent cities/containers and earthquake victims were accommodated; educa- tional materials, equipment, and stationery materials, and story sets were sent to these tents to start educational activities. “My Box of Games” material sets containing 53 educational materials were distributed to 12 thousand children who were affected by the earthquake and whose families were staying in tent cities/containers or public institu- tions. Similarly, 2,400 backpacks containing various toys, stationery sets, self- care and health information materials were also distributed, considering the needs of children affected by the earthquake. In the 2023-2024 academic year, children who continued their preschool education at formal education institutions in affected provinces continued to receive one free meal nutrition support. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 239 Contribution share is required from the families whose children attend- ed the formal preschool education institutions in the provinces that were affected by the earthquake under the following temporary article-3 of the Regulation on Preschool Education and Primary Education Insti- tutions: “No copayment will be charged at the preschool education insti- tutions for the 2023-2024 academic year, in 11 provinces affected by the Kahramanmaraş-based earthquake dated February 6, 2023 “. Practices for Attendees/Individuals with Disabilities in Private Educational Institutions Attendees enrolled in the private non-formal educational institutions in the provinces affected by the earthquakes have the option to continue their education in similar institutions in their new place of residence and take their theory and practical exams in these locations upon com- pletion of their studies. Private educational institutions in earthquake-affected regions left un- able to conduct scholarship exams in January, February, and March as per Article 62, Paragraph 6 of the Regulation on Private Educational Institutions and institutions that had attendees transferred from earth- quake-affected provinces are now permitted to hold scholarship exams at any desired date during the 2022-2023 school year. This permission is limited to the aforementioned students, and subject to the institutions obtaining approval from the governorship. 240 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS It was decided that, in the regions affected by the earthquakes, the re- cords of disabled individuals in private educational institutions and re- habilitation centers could be erased by the education authorities in the province/district where the new institution is located upon the request of the disabled person or his/her parent/guardian per Article 21 of the Regulation on Private Educational Institutions. To ensure the uninterrupted education of individuals with special ed- ucation needs in the regions affected by the earthquakes, collaborative efforts were undertaken with the relevant departments of the Ministry of National Education and other ministries for addressing issues in mat- ters such as extending support education reports and facilitating the process of obtaining reports or requiring signatures from one doctor in- stead of three. The exam rights for theory and practical lessons and exams of the at- tendees who participated in the search and rescue operations in the provinces affected by the earthquakes or in the activities carried out by voluntary aid organizations or non-governmental organizations were reinstated on the condition that they apply to the institution or the na- tional education directorates of the relevant province/district within one month from the end date of their duties with a document showing the time spent during their duties or voluntary work received from the rele- vant units, erasing their attendance records and compensating their lost learning time in the process. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 241 Attendees enrolled in various courses in the provinces affected by the earthquakes were granted the option to suspend their unused exam rights provided that they submit an application to the institution or the national education directorates of their respective province/district within three months from the start of educational activities in the region, erasing their attendance records and compensating their lost learning time in the process. University students enrolled in various courses were given the oppor- tunity to preserve their education and exam rights until universities re- sume in-person classes, provided that they apply to the institution with- in two months from the start date of in-person classes at universities. The period specified in Article 45, Paragraph 3 of the Regulation on Spe- cial Purpose Motor Vehicle Driving Schools of the Ministry of National Education was extended by one year for individuals in earthquake-af- fected regions who obtained certificates from special purpose motor ve- hicle driving schools, but could not obtain their driver’s licenses. Supports Provided to Gifted and Talented Students A total budget of TRY 65,189,915 was allocated to improve the physical conditions of 60 Science and Art Centers (BILSEMs) in the provinces affected by the earthquake. This funding was utilized for building main- tenance, repairs, materials, workshop construction, workshop supplies, and other needs. 242 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS As part of the collaboration protocol with TURKCELL, a BILSEM Tech- nology and Education Container was put into service in Hatay to enrich the educational environments of the gifted and talented students affect- ed by the earthquake. In the container, BILSEM teachers conduct work- shops on robotic coding, astronomy, educational games, sports, music, painting, and art. Practices for Private Educational Institutions In the provinces of Kahramanmaraş, Adıyaman, Malatya, Hatay, as well as in the Nurdağı and İslahiye districts of Gaziantep, private educational institutions that were in operation but couldn’t provide evidence of the durability and safety of their premises were allowed to continue their ac- tivities through regular or dual education in a similar building of another institution proven to be durable and safe until the end of the 2023-2024 school year without being subject to Article 12, Paragraph 1 of the Reg- ulation on Private Educational Institutions of the Ministry of National Education, provided that they ensure the safety of students/attendees and take the necessary precautions for classrooms and other sections. However, due to the ongoing challenges in finding a institution building compliant with the relevant legislation in the provinces affected by the earthquakes, the requirement for “building classrooms and other sec- tions for learning” along with moving to a building of a “similar type” will not be enforced until the end of the 2023-2024 school year. It was decided that the period granted to private educational institu- tions and private student dormitories in the provinces affected by the earthquakes, which wish to suspend or already suspended their activi- ties, could be extended for up to two years. It was decided that, in case the relevant Governorship determined that the education and exam facilities provided for various courses in the provinces affected by the earthquakes were unusable, the practice facil- ities of other institutions in the same province could be used for a max- imum period of one year. However, in the event that this is not feasible, the education and practice facilities must be redefined in accordance with the relevant legislation. Calculation of the time period for the implementation of sanctions for institutions that obtained permission to start their activities, but were not put into service within two years or temporarily ceased their activi- TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 243 ties in accordance with the Presidential Decree No. 131 Regarding Mea- sures Taken in the Field of Education as Part of the State of Emergency and Article 7, Paragraph 1 of the Law No. 5580 on Private Educational In- stitutions was suspended for a period of three months. It was stipulated that administrative fines would not be imposed on closed or shut-down institutions failing to submit books, files, documents, or other records as regulated in Law No. 5580. Invoice approvals for private educational institutions and rehabilitation centers that could not be granted by certain provincial/district national education directorates due to the earthquakes were granted by the Min- istry of National Education General Directorate of Private Educational Institutions in order to ensure timely payments for support education. In the provinces affected by the earthquakes, support education pay- ments for private educational institutions and rehabilitation centers with documentation proving that their building is in an unusable con- dition were not subjected to the prior requirement for a camera surveil- lance system. It was specified that accounting units unable to provide services were replaced by authorized accounting units in nearby regions in the prov- inces affected by the earthquakes, ensuring seamless processing of pay- ments for private educational institutions and rehabilitation centers. It was decided that, in case invoices could not be presented for payments to be made to private educational institutions and rehabilitation centers for the educational activities carried out before the earthquakes, pay- ment could be made based on the report issued by the authorizing offi- cer and assessment officer. In the private educational institutions and rehabilitation centers in the provinces affected by the earthquakes, the mandatory education staff requirement specified in the provision of “individuals with disabilities receiving education as part of a support education program shall be pro- vided with at least 2 (two) hours of education per month by compulsory education staff” under the first article of the “Descriptions Regarding Education Staff and Practices” section of the Board of Education and Discipline Decision dated September 14, 2021 and numbered 35 for the support education activities provided in the months of February and March 2023 was suspended. 244 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Suspension of the requirement for title deed and building use permit during the opening and transfer stages of private educational institu- tions per Article 5(h), Paragraph 2 of the Regulation on Private Educa- tional Institutions was discontinued. In the provinces affected by the earthquakes, private educational insti- tutions and private student dormitories with buildings in usable condi- tion were allowed to commence activities upon obtaining certification for robustness and durability. However, for private educational institu- tions that provide documentation indicating their building is in unus- able condition, a regulation was established to enable them to operate in different buildings or temporary educational spaces (tent, container, prefabricated buildings, etc.) authorized by the competent authority for a maximum period of one year without the need to meet the standards specified in the legislation. Procedures Regarding Staff Employed in Educational Institutions Visits to Teachers Affected by the Earthquake In order to contribute to the resolution of problems faced by education staff and teachers affected by the earthquakes, and to assist in overcom- ing the psychological and material damage they experienced, teachers who received emergency interventions and were transferred to the hos- pitals in neighboring provinces were visited, and detailed information was obtained from hospital administrations regarding the teachers’ treatment processes. The requests of 104 teachers undergoing treatment were received, and support was provided to meet their needs and ad- dress their issues. Psychosocial Support and Disaster Awareness Training in the Earthquake Zone In-service training programs were prepared for teachers who were ini- tially assigned to Malatya, Adıyaman, Kahramanmaraş, Gaziantep, and Hatay provinces, and are currently serving in these provinces. The goal was to facilitate their adaptation to the region, and ensure their readi- ness for education and teaching. Earthquake Memorial An earthquake memorial was unveiled in order to cherish the memories of teachers and education staff who lost their lives in the earthquakes. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 245 Appointment Procedures As part of the March 2023 Contract Teacher Appointment process, ap- pointments were made for a total of 44,573 teachers, including 21,569 teachers for the 10 provinces in the earthquake zone. As part of the announcement regarding the relocation of contract/per- manent teachers and other staff working under the Ministry of National Education in the provinces where the state of emergency was declared with the Presidential Decree No. 6785, a total of 4,391 teachers were ap- pointed by provincial national education directorates due to health rea- sons and other grounds disregarding the norm in line with their prefer- ences. Following the completion of the appointment procedures, teachers serv- ing in the earthquake zone who documented their health excuses with a health board report were appointed to the district national education di- rectorate in need of staff in the relevant province based on their requests in the written applications. Requests of teachers who were appointed and wanted to return to the earthquake-affected provinces they left were approved. Appointments of teachers who did not start their duties were canceled. Teachers who started their duties were transferred to the district national education directorate overseeing the institution they left in order to adhere to staff- ing limits. In the provinces of Adıyaman, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş and Malatya, a separate announcement was made for the voluntary intra-provincial relocation process independent of the intra-provincial relocation pro- cess to be carried out in the summer of 2023, and 3,301 teachers were appointed. Contract/permanent teachers working in the provinces of Adıyaman, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş and Malatya and the İslahiye and Nurdağı dis- tricts of Gaziantep, which were severely affected by the earthquakes, took part in voluntary intra-provincial relocation across 22 provinces. No conditions were imposed for this relocation process, and all teachers requesting relocation were allowed to apply. Accordingly, 1,618 teachers were relocated. 246 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS The Regulation Amending the Ministry of National Education Teach- er Appointment and Relocation Regulation regarding the service ar- eas in the regions severely affected by the earthquakes was published and entered into force. With the amendment, Adıyaman, Hatay, Kahra- manmaraş, and Malatya provinces, along with the İslahiye and Nurdağı districts of Gaziantep province, will be considered as the third service region for a period of three years starting from September 1, 2023. The temporary designation of these service areas as the third service region enabled higher service scores for teachers currently serving in these ar- eas, as well as newly appointed teachers. Due to the earthquakes that occurred on February 6, 2023, a state of emergency was declared in the affected provinces. In order to meet the needs of teaching positions in these provinces, 901 contract/permanent teachers were temporarily assigned to the region. Service durations in previous and new locations were combined for the teachers who were reassigned to their previous locations after being re- located within the relevant province or between provinces voluntarily or depending on their excuses due to the earthquakes. Relocation was requested by teachers serving in Adıyaman, Hatay, Kah- ramanmaraş, and Malatya provinces as well as the İslahiye and Nurdağı districts of Gaziantep province who experienced the death of a spouse or child, or the death of their own/spouse’s parents, or those who could provide documentation that their residence suffered moderate or severe damage or collapsed during the earthquakes. Accordingly, 1,544 teach- ers were relocated. Due to the earthquakes that occurred on February 6, 2023, centered in Kahramanmaraş and affecting 11 provinces in the region, The Admin- istrator Selection Examination for Educational Institutions (EKYS) was postponed and held on 24.05.2023. After the earthquakes, 11 education inspectors were relocated upon their requests. Due to the earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş province, 22 branch manag- ers serving in the disaster area declared in the provinces of Adana, Adıya- man, Diyarbakır, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye and Şanlıurfa were relocated due to health excuses. Appoint- ments of nine branch managers were canceled upon their requests. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 247 While serving in the central organization units of the Ministry of Nation- al Education, five personnel who requested a transfer due to their fam- ilies residing in the earthquake zone were reassigned to the provincial/ district directorates of their choosing. Three personnel who were resid- ing in the earthquake zone and requested a transfer to central organiza- tional units due to the impact of the earthquakes were assigned to the units of their choosing. Due to the state of emergency declared following the earthquake, 277 personnel from the provinces of Adana, Adıyaman, Diyarbakır, Gazian- tep, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye, Şanlıurfa and Elazığ serving outside the education and training services were appoint- ed or assigned to other provinces. Additionally, 173 personnel from other provinces were relocated to the earthquake-affected provinces. The ini- tial appointments provided employment for 1,360 personnel. Construction and Real Estate Services There are 56,259 educational institutions affiliated with the Ministry of National Education (MEB). Approximately 21 percent of these educa- tional facilities are located in the 11 provinces affected by the earthquake. The 11,699 educational institutions detailed in the table below consist of 20,340 independent buildings, which include dormitories, sports halls, workshops, and other facilities. Distribution of Educational Institutions by Province (2021-2022) Province Kindergarten Primary School Secondary School High School Teacher’s Lodge Public Education Center Vocational Training Center Special Needs School - Guidance and Research Centres (RAM) Total Adana 157 490 821 220 16 20 5 30 1,259 Adıyaman 78 402 215 88 7 9 4 21 824 Diyarbakır 129 851 419 179 21 17 5 23 1,644 Gaziantep 233 572 352 212 9 11 7 30 1,426 Elazığ 36 185 127 72 8 10 5 8 451 Hatay 165 558 415 160 12 15 5 38 1,368 Kahramanmaraş 69 440 295 145 8 12 4 23 996 Kilis 20 98 42 25 1 5 2 9 202 Malatya 60 272 210 111 7 13 1 12 686 Osmaniye 42 164 113 63 3 7 4 17 413 Şanlıurfa 179 1,260 712 219 9 13 5 33 2,430 Region Total 1,168 5,292 3,221 1,494 101 132 47 244 11,699 248 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Building Safety Assessment After the first earthquake on February 6, 2023, the Ministry of National Education’s technical teams immediately reached the provinces of Kah- ramanmaraş, Malatya, Adana, Hatay, Osmaniye and Adıyaman. Efforts were carried out immediately to identify usable educational facilities in order to meet the urgent needs of earthquake victims, including shel- ter and heating. At this stage, it was determined that many educational facilities were usable. Schools, dormitories, boarding houses, teachers’ lodges, and other buildings of educational institutions were determined to be safe for use. Coordination was ensured with other institutions and organizations in the field, ensuring the settlement of earthquake victims. The decision was made to start educational activities gradually, and as- sessments were made to determine the schools that could be opened for education. After the completion of earthquake zone damage assess- ments, efforts were started for investment planning in the region. Demolition efforts were started for a school building in Kilis, which was severely damaged by the February 6 earthquakes centered in Kahraman- maraş. New Construction Efforts for the Earthquake Zone In the 11 provinces affected by the earthquake, construction planning was carried out for a total of 22,039 classrooms with an estimated proj- TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 249 ect cost of approximately TRY 62.6 billion. A total of 2,691 classrooms were completed and opened for the new school year with an estimated project cost of approximately TRY 6.1 billion. Construction and pre-ten- der preparations continue based on the conditions of the remaining classrooms. Steel structures will be constructed to replace the 63 severely-damaged schools slated for demolition in the Şanlıurfa province affected by the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş. Improvement Works for the Existing Schools in the Earthquake Zone All maintenance and repair works were completed for the damaged ed- ucational facilities in the 11 provinces in the earthquake zone. Accord- ingly, maintenance and repair works were completed for approximately 46,000 classrooms, which were then made available for students. Addi- tionally, the necessary investigations for educational facilities were car- ried out, and reinforcement works are ongoing for the relevant buildings. Planning is currently being carried out to include educational facilities slated for demolition in the construction program. 250 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Investment Program Procedures For the provinces affected by the earthquake that occurred on February 6, 2023, which was centered in Kahramanmaraş, the 2023 State Invest- ment Program includes: • 3 projects and 52 classrooms, tendered and completed. Project cost: TRY 155,227,800.00. • 55 projects and 986 classrooms, tendered and ongoing. Project cost: TRY 3,443,306,024.00. • 18 projects and 212 classrooms, granted permit to tender and awaiting construction. Project cost: TRY 1,086,600,000.00. • 27 projects and 292 classrooms, currently in the preparation stage. Project cost: TRY 1,909,800,000.00. The 2023 State Investment Program foresees a total of 103 projects in earthquake-affected provinces, consisting of 22 Anatolian High Schools, 5 Workshops, 1 Science High School, 3 Public Education Centers, 15 Imam Hatip High Schools, 29 Vocational and Technical Anatolian High Schools, 8 Teachers’ Lodges, 6 Special Education and Guidance Research Centers, 5 Dormitories, 9 Sports Halls, and 1,542 Classrooms. As part of the 2023 State Investment Program: • The 10 projects located in the Ordu province were relocated to Şanlıur- fa, Malatya, Gaziantep, Adıyaman and Kahramanmaraş provinces. • A total of 7 projects, including 4 Vocational and Technical Anatolian High Schools, 1 Imam Hatip High School, 1 Dormitory, and 1 Public Education Center, were relocated to Malatya, Kahramanmaraş, Adıya- man, Şanlıurfa and Hatay provinces. • The 40-bed teachers’ lodge in the Aybastı district of the Ordu province was revised and transformed into a 50-bed Teachers’ Lodge in Siverek, Şanlıurfa. For the provinces affected by the earthquake that occurred on February 6, 2023, which was centered in Kahramanmaraş, the 2022 Provincial Con- struction Program includes: TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 251 • 41 projects and 522 classrooms, tendered and completed. Project cost: TRY 574,677,332.00. • 309 projects and 6,004 classrooms, tendered and ongoing. Project cost: TRY 9,569,038,952.00. • 427 projects and 6,127 classrooms, currently in the preparation stage. Project cost: TRY 16,413,742,518.00. The 2022 Provincial Construction Program includes a total of 777 projects (294 Kindergartens, 287 Primary Schools, 196 Middle Schools) and a total of 12,653 classrooms for earthquake-affected provinces. A budget of TRY 5,393,686,492.61 was allocated for the ongoing construc- tion of schools in the earthquake zone. Projects for the Earthquake Zone The Ministry of National Education, provincial and district directorates of national education, universities and TÜBİTAK (The Scientific and Tech- nological Research Council of Türkiye) prepared and carried out various projects for the students, teachers and parents affected by the earthquake. These projects include: All Together for Education The “All Together for Education” project was carried out in order to heal the wounds of the disaster of the century together and reach out to schools, teachers, staff, students and parents, with the goal of involving Anatolian Imam Hatip High Schools and Imam Hatip Middle Schools in 70 provinces as well as schools in 11 provinces as stakeholders. Protecting the Environment and My Values (CEDES Project) The project was realized with the goal of contributing to the upbringing of our students as individuals who embrace, protect, and enhance our “nation- al, moral, humane, spiritual and cultural values,” equipped with the skills of the present and the future, able to utilize this expertise for the benefit of humanity, passionate about science, curious and sensitive when it comes to culture, embodying our national, moral, humane, spiritual and cultural values in their own lives, possessing impeccable mind, heart and taste, and well-balanced in physical and social aspects. As part of the project, values education was provided at schools after the earthquake. 252 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Empowering Teachers with Educational Scenarios, Escape Rooms, and Gamification in Crisis Periods The project was realized in order to develop the psycho-educational sup- port skills that teachers need to consciously manage emotional states such as anxiety, stress, feelings of insecurity, decreased achievements and motivation, which are frequently observed in students during crisis periods such as earthquakes and pandemics. Game Guide for Post-Disaster Adaptation The project was designed to minimize the confusion and anxiety ob- served in students and teachers after the earthquake with games. A com- pilation of games and activities that teachers can easily arrange in the classrooms were put together and organized in the guide. Joyful Schoolyards Project The project was realized to mitigate the adverse psychological and so- ciological effects of the earthquakes in primary schools. The project was carried out with volunteering teachers. Schoolyards were prepared for students to play games and engage in other activities. 21st Century Skills Workshops Project The 21st Century Skills Workshops project was realized to enable chil- dren to keep up with advancing technology, fully implement innova- tive education programs, ensure active operation of student clubs, and achieve the goals of the program. A Day at Beşpınar Education and Culture Camp Project The “A Day at Beşpınar Education and Culture Camp” event was orga- nized to minimize the psychological impact of the earthquake on stu- dents living in earthquake-affected regions and reintegrate them into daily life through various social and sports activities. The event included a range of social and cultural activities aimed at helping students adapt to daily life. Students selected daily from certain middle schools or high schools participated in the activity. Healing Wounds in Production Tents Project The Healing Wounds in Production Tents project was realized to meet the needs in the earthquake zone. In the 110 square-meter clothing pro- TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 253 duction tent, clothes of earthquake victims were repaired, and items such as clothing, underwear, bedding sets, pillows, sheets, knitwear and curtains were sewn. Accordingly, sewing, handicrafts, crochet, and knit- ting courses were provided in these production tents. To Playgrounds with Games, to Tomorrows with Hope Project The project aimed to heal the wounds of the earthquake with science. As part of the project, students participated in exciting workshops in the container city. Smile for Tomorrow Science Fair Project The project was realized as part of the 4007 Science is Everywhere Spe- cial Support Call for Disaster Regions to enable students in Elazığ to learn about basic concepts in science and scientific knowledge, acquire scientific literacy, and realize the importance of learning by experience. Hope From the Euphrates Science Fair Project Realized as part of TÜBİTAK’s (The Scientific and Technological Re- search Council of Türkiye) 4007 Science is Everywhere Special Support Call for Disaster Regions, the “Hope from the Euphrates Science Fair” brought together students in Elazığ from preschool to high school with the unifying power of science. The project aimed to enlighten the pres- ent for the children affected by the earthquakes with the guidance of science, and enable them to look to the future with hope. Healing Our Wounds with Sports Once Again Project The project was realized to provide the children in the disaster area with various activities in order to enhance their physical and emotional skills, improve their social relationships, contribute to their psychological well-being, and ensure the improvement and development of the physi- cal environments of damaged schools. Science on Earth, Science in Space Project Realized as part of TÜBİTAK’s (The Scientific and Technological Re- search Council of Türkiye) 4007 Science is Everywhere Special Support Call for Disaster Regions, the “Science on Earth, Science in Space” proj- ect took place in Hatay on June 6-7-8, 2023. Various activities were car- 254 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS ried out with students in 24 different workshops, as the first day took place in Iskenderun Ibrahim Çeçen Tent City and Iskenderun Technical University Tent City, the second day took place in Antakya Ovakent Con- tainer City, and the third day took place in Defne Orhanlı and Harbiye Tent Cities. TÜBİTAK 4007 Curious Explorers Malatya Project Realized as part of TÜBİTAK’s (The Scientific and Technological Re- search Council of Türkiye) 4007 Science is Everywhere Special Support Call for Disaster Regions, the project was carried out by the Istanbul Sul- tangazi District Directorate of National Education to increase the inter- est of students in Malatya in science and education, and contribute to the improvement of their psychosocial well-being. The project took place with the participation of a total of 850 students from five schools. Addi- tionally, workshops were established as part of the project to encourage different areas of interest for students. Bayburt-Malatya Relations Grow Stronger with Science Fair Project It is a project prepared by Bayburt University within the scope of “TÜBİ- TAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye) 4007 Science Everywhere Support Special Call” and implemented in all project schools in Malatya. The project was carried out with the partici- pation of more than 2,000 students temporarily residing in various tent and container camp areas in Malatya, including the Beydağı Container Area. The project covered more than 20 areas, including digital coding, astronomy, paper marbling, traditional Turkish archery, music, and mo- bile applications, in a total of 29 workshop sessions, six seminars, and over 200 scientific activities. Supporting the Preschool Educational Institutions Affected by the Disaster Project The main goal of the project was to ensure the sustainability of preschool education and provide support for addressing the psychological damage suffered by the students and teachers due to the earthquakes and helping them become healthy individuals. In line with this main goal, efforts were made to quickly complete the repair work in the identified preschool edu- cational institutions to ensure the efficient continuation of services. Spe- cial emphasis was placed on facilitating healthy psychological recovery. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 255 Şanlıurfa Overcomes Disasters: Disaster Support Program for Ed- ucators, Parents and Students Disaster Support Program for Educators, Parents and Students was re- alized to help students, teachers and parents exposed to the traumatic effects of earthquakes and floods overcome these impacts, raise aware- ness about what needs to be done after a disaster, and teach them the ways to be prepared for potential disasters. Improving Quality and Access in Early Childhood Education Project As part of the project, a total of 870 mobile teacher kits were provided for the use of students relocated to other cities due to the earthquakes or studying in earthquake-affected provinces. Additionally, preschool teachers working in Adıyaman, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Kilis and Os- maniye were provided with educational training through games, and the schools in these provinces were provided with 250 Lego sets. Meeting Classroom and Material Needs as Part of the PIKTES Project As part of the PIKTES Project, various activities were carried out to meet the classroom and material needs in the disaster area, including pro- curement of stationery items, procurement of material sets for psycho- social care tents to be used in psychosocial activities, procurement of game set materials, procurement of vests for field staff, procurement of tents for the use of provincial coordination teams, and the installation of lightweight steel prefabricated schools. Digital is My Domain Project As part of the project, a total of 15 container classrooms were delivered to Hatay, Adıyaman and Kahramanmaraş, five for each province, and practice materials (handicrafts) were supplied for the courses to be held in these classrooms. Additionally, two hours of “Introduction to the Dig- ital World” educational content was prepared for the students attending these container classrooms, and educational activities were started ac- cordingly. 256 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Special Materials for Special Children Project As part of the “Special Materials for Special Children” project, a total of 102 boxes of materials prepared for students with mild to moderate in- tellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorders were sent to the di- saster-affected provinces. Activities Carried Out with the Aid Provided by European Countries The proposal to establish four container libraries in Hatay at a total es- timated cost of €20,000 was approved by the Governorship. Foundation Uçurtma was informed about the approved locations through the Turk- ish Representation. Giro555 from the Netherlands planned to allocate approximately €66 million to be spent in the 11 provinces affected by the earthquakes in Türkiye. The Almelo Turkish Platform based in the Netherlands proposed priori- tizing the repair or reconstruction of a primary school in Hatay. The proj- ect proposal for the school to be funded was prepared by the Ministry of National Education and submitted to the relevant platform through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The coordination for the establishment of two schools consisting of modular units in Hatay, funded by the Netherlands, is being facilitated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Works were carried out by Turkish teachers of Turkish origin working in the service area of the Cologne Education Attaché in Germany to priori- tize the repair or reconstruction of a village school affected by the earth- quake. The process of granting educational scholarships to students was car- ried out by the presidents of the Turkish Parent-Teacher Association and the regional coordinator teacher in Heidelberg/Germany and its surroundings. The owner of the Schanzenbackerei bakery chain in Germany and the Founder of the Gürol Gür Education Foundation informed the relevant parties about the school construction needed in Hatay, donation propos- al, and suggestions for the construction project. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 257 Project proposals regarding the request to build a kindergarten and day care center called “Star Children of the Future” in Hatay were shared with the relevant authorities by the officials of the Turkish Employee Network of Mercedes-Benz in Germany. Project suggestions were shared with the relevant parties by the Turkish citizens living in the city of Sindelfingen and surrounding districts in Germany in regard to the request for the reconstruction of a school in Hatay that was destroyed by the earthquake. Efforts to build a school in Hatay continue with the income generated from the football matches organized by the Turkish associations in and around the city of Aachen in Germany. Project suggestions were shared with the relevant authorities by the authorities operating in the city of Weinheim in Germany in regard to the request for the construction of a prefabricated school in Kahraman- maraş at an approximate cost of €250,000. The donation of €2,000 made by the Turkish Parents’ Association in Pinneberg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany is currently being transferred to the students in Hatay and Kahramanmaraş. Activities Carried Out with the Aid Provided by Balkan Countries The Croatian Government donated €1 million to be used in the construc- tion of 3 prefabricated schools in Kahramanmaraş and Adıyaman, and €2.5 million to be used in the construction of a school in Hatay. Activities Carried Out with the Aid Provided by Middle Eastern Countries The Palestinian Turkish Businessmen Union continues its efforts for the repair of a school in Adıyaman. In Qatar, 2,160 aid boxes were prepared by Qatari Citizens and Turk- ish Citizens Living in Qatar, and donations amounting to QAR 65,290, $3,120, TRY 1,560 and €210 were transferred to the relevant units. The United Arab Emirates Dubai Turkish Language Program donated 340 bags and stationery items to a school in Hatay. 258 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Activities Carried Out with the Aid Provided by Turkic States Kazakhstan continues its efforts to build social facilities in earth- quake-affected provinces and a school in the Nurdağı district of Gazian- tep. Activities Carried Out with the Aid Provided by African Coun- tries The income generated from the sales of the stamps printed by the Dji- bouti Postal Service was donated to the relevant units. Donated by a philanthropic businessman from the Republic of South Africa, two tents with a capacity of 1,200 people and an industrial air conditioner were delivered to the Dörtyol district of Hatay. Activities Carried Out with the Aid Provided by Asia-Pacific Countries Relief Singapore continues its efforts for the reconstruction of a school in Kahramanmaraş. The Blue Sky Rescue Team in China donated school uniforms of 735 kg to the students in Adıyaman. The Jeonnam Provincial Directorate in Korea continues its efforts to move high school students who are descendants of Korean veterans liv- ing in earthquake-affected provinces to Korea and provide them with vocational training opportunities. Japan, New Zealand and Hong Kong sent wish cards, message cards, let- ters and paper toys to students. Strengthening of Schools Affiliated with the Ministry of National Education The “Strengthening Schools Affiliated with the Ministry of National Ed- ucation” project was carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of National Education and UNICEF in order to enable students to contin- ue their education, improve the physical facilities at schools, and enrich the educational environment by carrying out minor repair and equip- ment works in earthquake-affected provinces and the provinces people TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 259 moved to after the earthquake. As part of the project, a total cash sup- port of TRY 56,655,000 was provided by UNICEF to the schools in earth- quake-affected provinces for minor renovations and supply of school equipment. Activities of the Council of Higher Education, Universities and TÜBİTAK There are a total of 16 universities in the earthquake zone, including 8 top universities established before 1992, and eight universities that were established after 2006 and with the division in 2018. Approximately 70 percent of the total indoor area stock in the region belongs to top univer- sities consisting mostly of old building stock. The number of students enrolled in higher education institutions in the region corresponds to 9 percent of the total number of students in Türkiye. The university stu- dents studying in the 11 provinces in the earthquake zone and those re- siding in the region and continuing their education in provinces other than these 11 provinces add up to 18 percent of the formal education stu- dents in Türkiye. 260 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Universities Located in the Provinces Affected by the Earthquakes University Year Of Establishment Total Closed Area (square meter) Number of academic units Number of campuses Total Student Number* Academic Staff Number* Administrative Staff Number* Adıyaman University 2006 240,196 24 8 18,715 937 551 Adana Alparslan Türkeş Science and Technology University 2011 74,775 8 1 4,192 376 343 Çukurova University 1973 681,599 36 16 47,173 2,248 3,278 Dicle University 1973 504,420 37 13 31,284 1,834 6,216 Fırat University 1975 510,627 32 9 37,359 2,018 1,275 Gaziantep Islam Science and Technology University 2018 102,688 12 2 1,760 98 72 Gaziantep University 1987 518,131 38 8 42,832 1,786 1,703 Harran University 1992 491,890 34 15 24,692 1,637 1,443 Hatay M, Kemal University 1992 290,283 28 6 24,990 1,206 2,049 İnönü University 1975 698,236 26 3 34,183 1,575 4,473 İskenderun Technical University 2015 123,924 15 6 12,233 385 390 Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University 1992 338,612 26 7 32,701 1,439 3,721 Kahramanmaraş İstiklal University 2018 48,738 8 5 1,446 109 137 Kilis 7 Aralık University 2007 95,541 10 3 9,572 454 300 Malatya Turgut Özal University 2018 86,076 17 7 4,849 414 370 Osmaniye Korkut Ata University 2007 171,739 16 2 12,241 486 347 Region Total - 4,977,475 367 111 340,222 17,002 26,668 YÖK, 2022. Out of the 17 universities located in the provinces affected by the earth- quake; • 9 service buildings with an indoor area of 7,714 m2 were destroyed, • 111 service buildings with an indoor area of 273,293 m2 were severely damaged, • 51 service buildings with an indoor area of 338,805 m2 were moderate- ly damaged, • 358 service buildings with an indoor area of 1,894,152 m2 were slightly damaged. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 261 Out of these service buildings, 120 destroyed and damaged buildings with a total indoor area of 281,007 m2 need to be reconstructed. Additionally, 409 moderately- and slightly-damaged service buildings with an indoor area of 2,122,834 m2 must be renovated and made earthquake-resistant. It was determined that Sivas Cumhuriyet University was also damaged by the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes that occurred on February 6, 2023. Damage Assessment Status for University Buildings University Number of Destroyed Buildings Number of Heavily Damaged Buildings Number of Moderately Damaged Buildings Number of Slightly Damaged Buildings Number of Buildings Rendered Inhabitable (m2) Number of Buildings Requiring Retrofits Adıyaman University 1 7 7 24 29,345 200,344 Adana Alparslan Türkeş Science and Technology University - - - 3 - 51,426 Çukurova University - 3 1 48 4,049 252,981 Dicle University - 4 7 39 8,540 188,391 Fırat University - 11 2 42 8,127 122,076 Gaziantep Islam Science and Technology University - - - 6 - 73,390 Gaziantep University - - 1 48 - 289,734 Harran University - 4 1 26 999 35,037 Hatay M, Kemal University 7 24 2 1 35,982 2,211 İnönü University 1 26 21 32 113,451 292,567 İskenderun Technical University - 2 2 10 12,287 96,833 Kahramanmaraş İstiklal University - 11 - 5 17,600 16,184 Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University - 2 1 30 9,871 214,205 Kilis University - - - 9 - 60,693 Malatya Turgut Özal University - 17 - 15 40,756 42,287 Osmaniye Korkut Ata University - - 5 20 - 180,245 Sivas Cumhuriyet University - - 1 - - 4,230 Region Total 9 111 51 358 281,007 2,122,834 Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye Presidency of Strategy and Budget, 2023. 262 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Damage Assessment Status for the Dormitories in the Provinces Affected by the Earthquakes City Heavily Damaged(square meter) (Must be rebuild) Moderately Damaged (square meter) (The process will be able to continue with reinforcement) Less Damaged (square meter) (The process will be able to continue with small repairs) Estimated Total Cost (TL) Adana - - - - Adıyaman - - 43,281 51,936,720 Diyarbakır - - 22,336 26,803,200 Elazığ - - 63,243 75,891,600 Gaziantep - 30,804 47,674 368,080,752 Hatay 11,639 44,940 12,669 370,586,856 Kahramanmaraş 16,640 9,200 22,376 270,690,912 Kilis - 8,116 18,133 60,716,592 Malatya - 32,484 - 155,923,200 Osmaniye - - 25,111 30,133,416 Sivas - - 6,561 7,873,776 Şanlıurfa - 3,140 59,418 86,373,204 Region Total 28,297 128,684 320,802 1,505,010,228 Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye Presidency of Strategy and Budget, 2023 Regarding the dormitory buildings located in the provinces affected by the earthquake; 5 dormitory buildings with a total indoor area of 28,279 m2 were severely damaged, 19 dormitory buildings with an indoor area of 128,684 m2 were moderately damaged, and 52 dormitory buildings with an indoor area of 320,802 m2 were slightly damaged. Five severely-damaged dormitory buildings need to be reconstructed, and 71 moderately- and slightly-damaged dormitory buildings need to be renovated and made earthquake-resistant. A total amount of TRY 1,505,010,228 ($79.4 million) is needed to carry out the reconstruction and strengthening works of these dormitory buildings. After the earthquake, educational activities were initially suspended throughout the country. In the provinces in the earthquake zone, ed- ucational activities were resumed at different times depending on the TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 263 health reports of the schools. The Council of Higher Education decided that educational activities would first be resumed remotely, and then reassessed the possibility of switching to hybrid/blended learning as of April. It was decided that students with incomplete internships who were eligible for graduation could complete their mandatory internships face to face at their workplaces in accordance with the Framework Reg- ulation on Applied Training in Higher Education. Some of the universities in the provinces affected by the earthquake were paired with universities in other provinces, enabling the universi- ties to carry out academic and administrative assignments and coopera- tion activities among themselves. No pairing was made with universities that were capable of providing educational services. It was decided that students registered in programs as part the Frame- work Regulation on Applied Training in Higher Education and regis- tered with the universities in the provinces affected by the earthquake or students whose first-degree relatives reside in the earthquake zone and are registered with the universities in the provinces outside the earth- quake zone would be granted special student status. Upon request, university students were given the opportunity to freeze their registration in the spring semester and to take make-up exams for students who could not attend the exams. As of the first day of the earthquake, outdoor and indoor higher educa- tion institution facilities that were not damaged during the earthquake, especially buildings made of steel construction, were opened to the peo- ple affected by the earthquake in order to meet their needs such as food, shelter, heating, and clean water. Various earthquake-themed conferences, symposiums and workshops were organized both at the universities in the earthquake region and at universities in different cities of Türkiye in addition to the publishing of books, articles, papers and reports. Nearly 380,000 students and 45,000 academic and administrative staff continue their educational activities at 16 universities in the region. Regarding higher education; TÜBİTAK also carried out various efforts for both students and academicians after the February 6 earthquakes. 264 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS A call for 1002-C Emergency Support for Fieldworks Focusing on Natu- ral Disasters was issued by TÜBİTAK in order to support field research such as assessing the effects and damages of the earthquake on struc- tures and conducting seismic observation studies, and the applications received were evaluated within 24 hours. Accordingly, 119 projects were granted support. Research was conducted in the region by 552 research- ers from 59 universities and research institutes. As part of TÜBİTAK’s scientist scholarship and support programs, the fol- lowing special calls were issued and a total of 113 support decisions were made in these calls: · Earthquake Call as part of the 2221 Fellowships for Visiting Scientists and Scientists on Sabbatical Leave, for the collaboration of TÜBİTAK researchers who continue their studies on the earthquakes with inter- national researchers, · Earthquake Special Call as part of the 2224-A Participation in Interna- tional Scientific Activities Support Program, for supporting research- ers who want to participate in scientific events to be held abroad on earthquake-related subjects. · Earthquake Special Call as part of the 2224-B Participation in National Scientific Activities Support Program, for supporting researchers who want to participate in scientific events to be held in Türkiye on earth- quake-related subjects. · Earthquake Special Call as part of the 2237-A Scientific Education Activ- ities Support Program, for supporting scientists who want to organize face-to-face or online scientific education events on earthquake-related subjects. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 265 As part of the supports extended by TÜBİTAK; The TÜBİTAK-BİÇABA Scholarship program was launched, enabling undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate students and post-doctoral researchers directly affected by the disaster to take part in the research projects carried out at TÜBİTAK Centers and Institutes or supported by TÜBİTAK. Following the disaster of the century, nearly 32,000 TÜBİTAK scholars were contacted, and efforts to fulfill their requests were started right away. All scholarship payments were made instantly. Additionally, the upload period for progress and final reports and the maximum study period for scholars benefiting from support programs were extended by two semesters depending on the relevant scholarship and support pro- gram Three months of scholarship payments were made as a lump sum to the scholarship students studying or residing in the earthquake zone. 266 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS In certain Research Programs, scholarship initiation periods were ex- tended by 6 months. Researchers supported by the Overseas Doctoral and Post-doctoral Research Scholarship Programs were granted the op- portunity to extend their 20-day stay in Türkiye up to three months, and receive a scholarship payment for one month of the said period. Application deadlines for ARDEB and TEYDEB programs and supports and submission dates for progress and final reports were postponed. Contact was established with the TÜBİTAK project managers (170 aca- demicians and 74 corporate researchers) and over 500 TÜBİTAK schol- arship students at the universities and companies in the region. Children affected by the earthquake were provided with TÜBİTAK pub- lications. TÜBİTAK’s Meraklı Minik and Bilim Çocuk magazines were distributed in the events held to help children leave their issues behind. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 267 Training Programmes for Public Employees Distance Learning Gate The Distance Learning Gate is a digital training platform offered to all public institutions by the Presidential Human Resources Office to incre- ase the knowledge, skills and competencies of public employees. After the earthquake disaster on February 6, various training program- mes were offered to public personnel via the Distance Learning Gate. The first of these programmes is the training programme that consists of five courses titled “Children’s Reactions and Suggestions for Families After Disasters and Emergencies,” “Adults’ Reactions after Disasters and Emergencies,” “Grief Reactions in Children and Suggestions for Fami- lies,” “Loss and Grief Process in Adults,” and “Supporting Employees in Disasters and Emergencies.” A total of 125,809 public personnel partici- pated in these trainings, which were put into practice on March 15, 2023. In addition, the “Earthquake Awareness Training Programme” was es- tablished with the contributions of 17 ministries and relevant public institutions under the coordination of the Human Resources Office and was made accessible to all public personnel on September 28, 2023. 268 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS The Training Programme consists of four interrelated and complemen- tary courses under the titles “General Information Regarding Earthqu- akes and Türkiye’s Seismicity,” “Before the Earthquake,” “During and After the Earthquake,” and “Post-Earthquake as a Volunteer/On-Duty Personnel” The programme aimed to improve the knowledge of all pub- lic employees regarding the issues they need to pay attention to, both as individuals and as on-duty personnel or volunteers in earthquake zones. The training programme, spanning approximately four hours, was compiled from 15 educational contents produced by seven institutions (Ministry of Family and Social Services, Ministry of Environment, Ur- banisation and Climate Change, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of National Education, Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency, Anadolu University and Red Crescent). 1,328,049 public personnel participated in the “Earthquake Awareness Training Programme.” The survey conducted at the end of the training programme was filled out by 277,195 participants, and the overall satis- faction rate for the training programme was determined to be 96%. In addition, on February 22 and 24, the Ministry of Family and Social Services implemented the “Training for Psychosocial Support Personnel Going to the Earthquake Region” programme, which was coordinated by the Presidential Human Resources Office. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 269 The programme utilised the Distance Learning Gate Platform Webinar application to provide training for personnel who were supposed to go to the disaster zone in order to provide psychosocial support to disaster victims. 10,102 personnel underwent training sessions on “Preparedness in the Disaster Zone,” “Services and Guidance Mechanisms in the Disas- ter Area,” “Psychological First Aid,” and “Ethics and Rules of Conduct in the Field.” 270 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS 5.6. Continuity of Justice Services TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 271 February 6 has been recorded as one of the darkest days in the history of the Republic of Türkiye and has been engraved in the public memory as the “Disaster of the Century” with the great destruction that occurred. This study examines the roles assumed by the Ministry of Justice af- ter this disaster, and the vital importance of these roles in various areas such as judicial continuity, evidence detection, and death and burial pro- cedures. The Ministry of Justice demonstrated its commitment to fulfilling its legal and humanitarian responsibilities from the first hours of the disas- ter. Assuming key roles within its capacity in search and rescue activi- ties, the Ministry carried out key duties in the post-earthquake period, especially in the fields of evidence detection and management of death procedures. These activities are essential for documenting and evalua- ting the extent of destruction and consequences of the disaster within a legal framework. The Ministry also established courts on duty to ensure judicial continuity and effective functioning of the justice mechanism. This step was crucial in terms of protecting the rule of law and defending the rights of survivors after natural disasters. The Ministry of Justice’s immediate establishment of courts on duty, the launch of the court pa- iring system, and the re-activation of the UYAP system are important steps to ensure that justice functions even in extraordinary situations such as earthquakes, and to protect and observe human rights. 272 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS It will be discussed in detail how these post-earthquake activities of the Ministry of Justice are of critical importance, especially in terms of the management of post-destruction legal processes and the protection of survivors’ rights. The efforts of the Ministry of Justice in the post-eart- hquake period serve as a role model for the whole world in terms of ma- intaining judicial continuity. The Importance of Ensuring the Continuity of the Justice System After Natural Disasters The effects of natural disasters on legal systems play a key role in the continuity of the justice system. Large-scale earthquakes in particular can seriously damage justice mechanisms and threaten the rule of law and social order. The unique nature and impact of the February 6 eart- hquakes around the world posed a challenge for the Turkish justice sys- tem, the likes of which had never been seen in the world. The earthquake significantly affected physical infrastructure as well as the functioning of the law and the efforts to protect human rights. In such cases, swift intervention by the Ministry of Justice and its relevant institutions plays a critical role in ensuring the continuity of judicial services and resto- ring the sense of trust in society. Making the justice system sustainable means protecting basic legal functions and citizens’ fundamental rights, even in the turmoil and uncertainty caused by natural disasters. This is not limited or related to simply establishing temporary court structures in order to replace destroyed buildings. It also requires a “multifaceted TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 273 approach” covering processes such as evidence collection, continuity of judicial processes, forensic studies and crisis management. In such chal- lenging situations, the resilience of the justice system reinforces trust in the rule of law and individuals’ sense of social justice. Accordingly, the work carried out by the Ministry of Justice after the February 6 eart- hquakes is of great importance; not only as an example of crisis mana- gement, but also as a concrete indicator of a justice system that remains uninterrupted and functional in the most challenging times. The efforts carried out by the Department of Education of the Ministry of Justice regarding the judicial services in the regions affected by the disaster of the century and the living conditions of the Ministry of Jus- tice staff are particularly worth noting in terms of “crisis intervention.” These interventions are good examples of the Ministry’s efforts to pro- tect the well-being of public employees and their family members after natural disasters and, most importantly, to fulfill its obligation to “provi- de an effective support mechanism” as quickly as possible in emergency situations. To serve this end, the Ministry of Justice implemented a series of per- manent and temporary shelter, health, education and psycho-social support measures for its employees in 11 damaged provinces. With the Ministry’s decision dated February 7, 2023, the process was started for moving Ministry staff and their families working in earthquake-affec- ted provinces to the staff training centers in Ankara, Rize and Yozgat affiliated with the Department of Education of the Ministry of Justice. With the organization of the Department of Education, training centers affiliated with the General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Hou- ses, open penal institutions and social facilities under the Foundation for Strengthening the Organization of Justice (ATGV) were also opened for use. The accommodation provided at these centers included the Mi- nistry of Justice employees affected by the earthquake and their fami- lies, and a total of 7,000 people were accommodated between February 2023 and August 2023. The services offered at these centers are the best examples of an “interdisciplinary” approach. The periodic health examinations of Ministry of Justice staff and the- ir referral to relevant health institutions in case of health emergencies were also meticulously managed by the Department of Education of the Ministry of Justice. This serves as a great example of the sensitivity shown by the Ministry of Justice to its staff. 274 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Additionally, the Ministry of Justice did not forget that the Ministry staff and their families sheltered in the training centers were earthquake sur- vivors, and addressed their moral needs with regular visits by the psy- chological counseling and guidance teams. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 275 The provision of school supplies, clothing and other basic needs of the affected students living and continuing their education in shelters was prioritized in order to ensure uninterrupted education. As part of educational activities, special study rooms and pre-school education infrastructure were provided to enable the affected students to study. 276 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Psychosocial support activities appropriate to the age groups of the children were planned and carried out by a team consisting of psycho- logists, pedagogues and social workers. Such post-disaster interventi- ons serve as important indicators of the State’s capacity to be vigilant against disasters and respond effectively. This humanitarian approach of the Ministry of Justice can be considered as a key example of “social protection” strategies for affected public employees and their families in disaster management literature. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 277 The Cornerstone That Ensures the Continuity of the Justice Sys- tem: National Judiciary Informatics System (UYAP) UYAP is an e-Justice platform that enables citizens and employees in the legal system such as judges, prosecutors and lawyers to quickly carry out all their judicial procedures through informatics systems for purposes of adaptation to today’s technology. Considering the devastating effects of natural disasters, it is important to ensure the continuity of judicial services, prevent the disruption of in- formation governance, and provide the necessary technological infrast- 278 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS ructure for the staff to continue their operations. The ability of the State’s judicial mechanism to respond “effectively and quickly” after disasters is one of the cornerstones of governance. The earthquakes on February 6 reminded us the importance of this approach. The earthquake caused a major shock that could potentially disrupt the functioning of the judicial mechanism, but the measures taken by the Ministry of Justice prevented any potential disruptions. UYAP played a critical role in ensuring that judicial staff in earthquake-affected regions can continue their work. UYAP enabled uninterrupted judicial processes by moving judicial ser- vices to the electronic environment. This is critical for the State to fulfill its responsibilities towards its citizens, especially in times of disaster. This technological infrastructure provided by the Ministry of Justice enabled the Ministry staff to manage processes properly by using the system, even if they could not be physically present in the buildings for judicial proceedings. With this technological innovation, the Ministry of Justice functioned as a “rock” against the devastating effects of the earthquake, ensuring the continuity of judicial services, the rule of law and accessibility of jus- tice. The rapid recovery of the infrastructure is a strong indicator of the State’s disaster management capacity. The system also highlights the importance of technological adaptation and governance skills of the Mi- nistry of Justice, even in times of crisis. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 279 Other Measures for Ensuring the Continuity of the Justice System and the Ministry of Justice Crisis Center Despite the wave of depression caused by the disaster of February 6, the Ministry of Justice continued its people-oriented approach and acted with the mission of ensuring the continuity of the justice system and “minimizing grievances.” The crisis center, which was established immediately after the earthqu- ake, served 24 hours a day despite the level of destruction in order to prevent disruptions in the justice system. From the first hours of the di- saster, the establishment of the crisis center played a major role in the coordination of justice services and gained “critical importance” for the balanced, fair and rapid functioning of justice mechanisms. In order to prevent disruptions in the functioning of the justice mecha- nism, measures such as temporary suspension of the processes and sus- pension of enforcement proceedings, save for certain exceptions, were taken with the publication of Presidential Decree No. 120 and the imple- mented judiciary measures. This proved to be a significant step in pre- venting the grievances experienced by citizens due to the disaster. The decision of the Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSK) to postpo- ne hearings, discussions and viewings, save for urgent and compulsory matters, paved the way for the justice system to develop a decision-ma- king mechanism by adapting to the new conditions after the earthqua- ke. Investigations of earthquake-related crimes were prioritized, special investigation offices were established in the chief public prosecutor’s of- fices, and public prosecutors were assigned to these offices by the HSK. These steps enabled crime scene investigations to be carried out effe- ctively in destroyed buildings for the administration of justice and the acceleration of judicial processes. In addition to these efforts, multiple coordinating chief public prosecu- tors were appointed to the courts in the earthquake zone by the Council of Judges and Prosecutors in order to strengthen the legal infrastructure and ensure the smooth functioning of the justice system. This ensured that administrative and judicial proceedings were approached with par- ticular attention to the extraordinary situation created by the disaster. Additionally, the assignment of nearly 1,000 judges and prosecutors by 280 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS the HSK and the assignment of 8,951 employees by the Ministry of Justi- ce to disaster-affected regions enabled justice services to be carried out in a strong, determined and comprehensive manner. As for the sustainability of the legal profession, various works were car- ried out and completed in regard to the remuneration of lawyers for ser- vices such as statutory advocacy and mediation. This was a very critical decision in terms of preventing lawyers’ economic grievances and conti- nuing legal support services without interruption. Temporary housing solutions such as tents and containers were quickly put into use to address the housing problems of the court staff exposed to the devastating effects of the earthquakes, and temporary prefabri- cated buildings were placed to replace the court buildings that were no longer functional. In doing so, the accommodation needs of the staff ne- cessary for the sustainability of judicial services were also met. A First in Türkiye: Court Pairing One of the most innovative practices implemented by the Ministry of Justice to ensure that judicial services continue without interruption immediately after the earthquake is the “Court Pairing” system. This system allowed judicial processes to continue in the most efficient way possible by pairing the courts damaged by the earthquake with those outside the disaster area. With this pairing system, the workload of the damaged courts was temporarily assumed by courts outside the eart- hquake zone. This was a critical step in terms of preserving the functi- onality of the courts and guaranteeing the sustainability of the services provided to citizens. The “Court Pairing” system was based on ensuring justice and quick exe- cution of judicial services. This system provided a solid basis for the ju- dicial system in combating the consequences of the destruction caused by the earthquakes, and created a model of solidarity and cooperation in the execution of justice services. Delays in access to justice that could be caused by the closure or reduced functions of the courts in the regi- ons affected by the earthquake were prevented, thus ensuring continu- ity and agility for the affected citizens while exercising their rights. This practice not only ensured continuity in existing cases, but also offered a highly effective solution to emerging legal needs. Courts included in the “Court Pairing” system provided legal support to citizens in the earthqu- TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 281 ake zone and worked in coordination to minimize any disruption that may occur in these processes. This solidarity encouraged unity at regio- nal and national levels in the execution of judicial processes, and enab- led judicial services to be carried out effectively despite all challenges. The “Court Pairing” system made its mark as an important innovation in terms of maintaining justice services, even in extraordinary situations such as earthquakes. The system increased the flexibility of justice mec- hanisms, ensured the sustainability of judicial processes, and developed a concrete solution for the continuity of access to justice. 282 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Forensic Medicine and Evidence Detection In addition to destruction, earthquakes also cause social and administ- rative order to be disrupted. Accordingly, the Ministry of Justice’s ma- nagement of post-disaster processes is critical in terms of protecting the rule of law and defending the rights of the survivors. In the chaos that ensued after the February 6 earthquakes, the identification of deceased individuals became crucial. This process was a critical step for accele- rating legal proceedings and alleviating the pain of grieving families as much as possible. To meet this need, the Ministry of Justice quickly dispatched 538 foren- sic medicine experts to the earthquake zone. This practice also served an indicator of the flexibility and agility of the administrative capacity in the field of forensic medicine. The transformation of Hatay Forensic Medicine Branch Directorate into a Group Head Office and the establis- hment of specialized departments and the Emergency DNA Laboratory are other examples of the adoption of an “interdisciplinary” approach in disaster management. Strengthening the forensic medicine units in Diyarbakır, İskenderun, Kı- rıkhan and Islahiye not only accelerated the judicial processes, but also made them more effective and transparent. These steps played a decisi- ve role in protecting the rights of the survivors and accelerated the legal representation and compensation processes. As a result these measures taken by the Ministry of Justice revealed how determination and the capacity to act quickly in post-disaster legal pro- cesses were critical to the recovery process of affected communities. Mo- reover, it is clear that these processes had a profound impact in terms of strengthening the judicial infrastructure and building resilience against disasters. Looking ahead, these initiatives can be considered as concre- te examples of the Ministry’s dynamic attitude in disaster management and legal processes. Transfers Like the Ministry of Justice and every one of its affiliated institutions, the General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses carried out impor- tant work despite the extraordinary conditions created by the earthqu- ake. While the Ministry of Justice took rapid steps for the sustainability TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 283 of the legal order after the earthquake, the General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses, one of the Ministry’s affiliated institutions, also assumed major responsibilities. The General Directorate created “emer- gency reception points” in the regions affected by the earthquake and ensured the continuity of security for the prisoners. The prisoners were transferred from the prisons in the earthquake zone to safer facilities to ensure their protection from the existing and potential risks caused by the disaster. Due to the public order incidents following the earthquake, a total of 169 convicts/detainees were transferred from 10 penal institu- tions to 28 institutions. This shows the determination of the Ministry of Justice and the General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses to maintain the functio- ning of the justice mechanism and protect human rights in the face of a large-scale natural disaster such as the February 6 earthquakes. These efforts revealed that there was effective “coordination” and a “determi- ned crisis management mechanism” across different levels of the State and the Ministry, even under extraordinary conditions. NO. PENAL INSTITUTIONS EVACUATED DUE TO NATURAL DISASTERS AND SECURITY CAPACITY REASONS FOR EVACUATION 1 Türkoğlu No. 1 L-Type Closed Penal Institution 1,322 Earthquake 2 Türkoğlu No. 2 L-Type Closed Penal Institution 1,322 Earthquake 3 Elbistan E-Type Closed Penal Institution 608 Earthquake and Public Order Incidents 4 Hatay T-Type Closed Penal Institution 1,400 Earthquake and Public Order Incidents 5 Malatya E-Type Closed Penal Institution 590 Earthquake and Public Order Incidents 6 Kahramanmaraş E-Type Closed Penal Institution 696 Earthquake and Public Order Incidents 7 Iskenderun M-Type Closed Penal Institution 570 Earthquake 8 Gölbaşı K1 Closed Penal Institution 60 Earthquake and Public Order Incidents 9 Hatay Juvenile Correctional Facilities 288 Earthquake and Public Order Incidents 10 Adıyaman Open Penal Institution 640 Earthquake 11 Ceyhan Open Penal Institution 450 Earthquake 12 Kırıkhan Open Penal Institution 300 Earthquake 13 Doğanşehir Open Penal Institution 150 Earthquake 14 Şanlıurfa E-Type Closed Penal Institution 600 Obsolete Building 15 Diyarbakır D-Type High-Security Closed Penal Institution 688 Earthquake and Obsolete Building 16 Ceyhan M-Type Closed Penal Institution 668 Earthquake and Obsolete Building TOTAL 10,352 284 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS The Pride of the Ministry of Justice: CEKUT After the earthquake that occurred in 1999, the staff of the General Dire- ctorate of Prisons and Detention Houses of the Ministry of Justice had assumed responsibility in the disaster area.Established in 2000 after the Ministry of Justice Directorate General for Prisons and Detention Hou- ses personnel took part in the disaster area following the earthquake in 1999, CEKUT teams worked 17 days in rotation under the coordination of AFAD in the earthquake disaster affecting 11 provinces on February 6, 2023, with 326 personnel and 33 vehicles, including 55 staff being added to the original 271 staff later on. The staff worked in shifts for 17 days with 33 vehicles. Carrying out search and rescue activities in the region 24/7 with the necessary equipment, CEKUT also took part in activities such as AFAD’s tent city installations and distribution of humanitarian aid. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 285 With the search and rescue efforts carried out in the region, 219 deceased citizens and 41 survivors were located in a total of 54 destroyed buil- dings. They actively participated in search and rescue efforts through the “General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses Search and Rescue Team (CEKUT)” and demonstrated a “human rights-oriented” approach at all times, even under very challenging conditions. The training, disaster preparation and accreditation activities of the vo- lunteer staff working in central and provincial organizations continue 286 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS rapidly in order to meet the institutional needs against potential disas- ters and support the response to other social emergencies. Additionally, the Japanese Embassy and the JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) were contacted, and a preliminary meeting was held regarding CEKUT teams’ participation in joint projects with Japanese disaster ex- perts. Further planning will be carried out on this issue in the future. Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Convicts The measures taken by the Ministry of Justice for convicts in penal ins- titutions following the February 6 earthquakes are the result of a “mul- tifaceted, people-oriented and highly strategic” approach developed in response to the challenges posed by this disaster. The standards for determining good behavior for the convicts housed in the prisons in the regions affected by the earthquake were reviewed, and the requirement for a lower threshold score (45) for period scores and development scores was removed in order to increase the chances of rehabilitation for convicts and enable them to access psychological support. This change was made official with a letter sent to the relevant institutions. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 287 In the field of education and psychosocial support, educational scho- larships were increased for children in need between the ages of 12-18 housed in Juvenile Correctional Facilities within the framework of the cooperation protocol between the General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses and the Koruncuk Foundation. The number of child- ren benefiting from these scholarships was increased from 40 to 60 after the earthquakes, showing the efforts aimed at reducing the disaster’s ne- gative effects on education. Newly-opened institutions such as Kavak Juvenile Correctional Facili- ties, which received transfers after the earthquake, were strengthened with the appointment of experienced psychosocial assistance experts from other institutions and correction and protection officers with group leadership training. The goal with these appointments is to sup- port the post-traumatic recovery processes of individuals affected by the earthquake. Developed to eliminate the lack of expert personnel, the “Online Psy- chosocial Support Project” aims to overcome this deficiency by enabling the staff working in the institutions in the pilot regions to have online individual meetings from the center in Sincan Open Penal Institution. The project also covers ongoing online psychosocial support efforts for convicts and detainees in Gaziantep L-Type and Alanya L-Type closed penal institutions. Psychosocial assistance experts working outside the earthquake zone carried out interventions regarding post-traumatic stress disorder and grieving processes for individuals in the institutions affected by the disaster. To serve this end, a total of 25,521 individual interviews, 1,163 crisis interviews, 2,765 family interviews and 90 group studies were carried out for the affected convicts and detainees from February 6, 2023 to June 22, 2023. Addition- ally, 2,028 individual interviews, 480 family interviews and 247 group studies were carried out for the staff. Finally, efforts were carried out in collabora- tion with the Presidency of Religious Affairs to have spiritual counselors working in penal institutions provide moral support to the convicts and detainees regarding the earth- quake. To this end, a total of 8,744 individual interviews, 3,007 room/ward visits and 51 suicide prevention interviews were held for transferred convicts and detainees and those in the earthquake zone. These data show that the Ministry of Justice carried out compre- hensive and functional efforts to address the needs of convicts and detainees after the earthquake. 288 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Earthquake Investigations and Permanent Construction In earthquake investigations requiring technical knowledge and exper- tise, 984 experts, including architects, civil engineers and geological en- gineers, were assigned to the earthquake region. The work of this expert staff enabled the provision of concrete data by examining the damaged structures and analyzing the obtained core samples in a laboratory en- vironment. As a result of the analyses carried out to increase the effectiveness of justice services, a total of 131 new courts were opened and the number of existing courts was increased in the earthquake zone. These include ju- dicial and administrative appeals. Additionally, 505 new courts are still being established for better managing the workload in the region. The structural conditions of the courts and the sustainability of their services were ensured through the necessary repair and restructuring works. The measures taken for severely- and moderately-damaged bu- ildings and the renovations carried out in slightly-damaged buildings made it possible for judicial services to continue in new and safe loca- tions. As part of the investment plans, new courts, lodgings and penal institu- tions will be built in the region in 2023 and 2024. These plans were made taking into account the damage and needs resulting from the earthqu- ake, thus laying the foundation for the future sustainability of judicial services. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 289 5.7. Supports and Measures for Economic Stability 290 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS The Disaster of the Century deeply affected the earthquake zone as well as the entire country and society in many aspects. Experts stated that the impact of the disaster was unprecedented. To that end, the Earthquake Assessment Report prepared by the Presidency of Strategy and Budget and the relevant public institutions and organizations in order to deter- mine all damages, losses and needs estimated the cost of the Disaster of the Century to our country at nearly TRY 1,995 billion, more than ex- ceeding the material damage and loss in the 1999 Marmara Earthquake. In order to eliminate the significant damage caused by the earthquakes and build a resilient economy, our State immediately planned and im- plemented steps to strengthen economic stability with its relevant insti- tutions. Türkiye has the will, perseverance and determination to heal all the wounds caused by this great disaster as quickly as possible thanks to its solid growth performance and financial discipline, and continues its construction and recovery works with all its relevant institutions to re-establish economic stability. Financing from the Treasury The Ministry of Treasury and Finance implemented the Treasury Sup- ported Surety System in order to reduce the negative effects of the earth- quakes on economic activities and commercial enterprises throughout the country, and facilitate access to finance for more companies. The system, which was implemented within the framework of the support provided by the Treasury, consists of the Operating Expenses Support Package for February 6 Earthquakes with a surety limit of TRY 15 billion, and the Investment Support Package for February 6 Earthquakes with a surety limit of TRY 5 billion extended to the companies affected by the earthquake. The support packages, which offer TRY 22 billion in loans against TRY 20 billion of surety, aim to cover the operating and investment expens- es of companies. The arrangements made as part of these packages are listed below. • Surety rates were set at the maximum level, 90 percent for SMEs and 85 percent for non-SMEs. • The provision for businesses regarding the protection of employment was abolished. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 291 • The surety commission was reduced from 0.5 percent to 0.1 percent, and the lender commission was reduced from 1 percent to 0.25 percent. • Businesses were allowed to make payments for install- ments and loans that are due or will be due between Feb- ruary 5, 2023 and January 1, 2024 for the loans they used from any lender before February 6, 2023. • A provision was added stating that no restructuring com- mission will be charged from the businesses operating in the provinces affected by the earthquakes for the extension of loan maturities until and including December 31, 2023. As part of these support packages provided to heal the economic wounds caused by the February 6 earthquakes, TRY 16,2 billion was extended in loans against nearly TRY 14,4 billion of surety in approximately 10,000 loan transactions as of December 8, 2023. Applications for the packages are still open. Another effort carried out within the framework of the support provided by the treasury for economic security and financial stability was the im- plementation of various regulations in the foreign exchange legislation. These regulations include the following: • For notifications that must be made by July 31, 2023, the notification periods will start from July 31, 2023. • Expiration dates for export transactions carried out against foreign currency in cash or to document potential foreign currency income have been determined as July 31, 2023 for the time periods that have expired or will expire by July 31, 2023, including the additional time periods from the max- imum time periods envisaged to realize the export trans- action. • Open accounts that should be reported to the relevant tax office presidencies or directorates by the branches affili- ated to the intermediary banks operating in the specified provinces until August 14, 2023 for not bringing the rele- vant amount into the country on time will not be reported. 292 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS • Exporters will not be sent warning letters by the tax office presidencies or directorates regarding the open export ac- counts that have been or will be reported by the banks until August 1, 2023. • The expiry date of the warning letters sent by tax office presidencies or directorates before February 6, 2023 has been determined as July 31, 2023. • Regarding the accounts that are awaiting additional time periods/notification to the prosecutor’s office, exporters will be given an additional time period until August 1, 2023 ex officio without being subject to any condition or notifi- cation by the tax office presidencies or directorates follow- ing the notification process. Support Provided to Producers and Tradesmen Providing financial support to agricultural producers whose agricultural products were damaged due to the earthquake, and helping the rural ar- eas to stand up stronger has been one of the important issues addressed within the scope of economic stabilization. The efforts carried out by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance in this regard included the Treasury interest-supported loan payments of the agricultural producers affected by the earthquakes. Accordingly, the Decision No. 6816 regarding the postponement of the payments of the Treasury interest-supported loans extended by Ziraat Bank and Agricultural Credit Cooperatives for 1 year without interest en- tered into force after being published in the Official Gazette dated Feb- ruary 22, 2023 and numbered 32112. Additionally, with the Decision No. 6920 dated March 9, 2023, the scope of the aforementioned postpone- ment decision was expanded to include all disaster areas. The postpone- ment processes continue depending on the maturity dates. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 293 TREASURY INTEREST-SUPPORTED LOANS 667 1,114 746 832 728 485 810 597 509 193 140 32,392 38,356 39,212 115,132 6,819 76,776 PROVINCE Balance (Million TRY) Customers Grand Total Adana Şanlıurfa Diyarbakır Gaziantep Kahramanmaraş Hatay Malatya Adıyaman Elazığ Osmaniye Kilis 7,379 10,065 10,740 8,814 8,280 4,888 9,730 7,215 6,169 1,890 1,606 0-250,000 8,332 5,329 4,674 3,059 2,628 2,628 1,515 1,535 1,201 1,259 234 Balance (Million TRY) Customers 6,551 7,030 5,718 3,894 3,502 3,141 2,384 2,224 1,918 1,549 445 250,001 ve More 8,999 6,443 5,420 3,891 3,356 3,113 2,324 2,132 1,709 1,452 373 Total Customers 13,930 17,095 16,458 12,708 11,782 8,029 12,114 9,439 8,087 3,439 2,051 Total Balance (Million TRY) In addition to the support provided to agricultural producers, Treasury interest-supported loan payments of the tradesmen and artisans affect- ed by the earthquakes were postponed as well. Accordingly, the Decision No. 6789 regarding the postponement of the payments of the Treasury interest-supported loans extended by Halkbank to the tradesmen and artisans whose work and businesses were affected by the earthquakes for 6 months without interest entered into force after being published in the Official Gazette dated February 14, 2023 and numbered 32104. Ad- ditionally, with the Decision No. 6884 dated Thursday, March 2, 2023, the scope of the postponement decision was expanded to include all di- saster areas. With the Presidential Decree No. 7470 published in the Of- ficial Gazette dated August 4, 2023 and numbered 32269, the Treasury interest-supported loan payments of the tradesmen and artisans operat- ing in Adıyaman, Kahramanmaraş, Hatay, Malatya, Osmaniye and their districts and in Gaziantep’s İslahiye and Nurdağı districts were extend- ed for another 6 months, providing them with the option to defer their payments for a total of 1 year without interest. 294 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS 28,420 10,459 11,038 9,233 17,985 23,308 12,963 1,344 10,425 8,615 22,609 4,495 1,910 1,758 1,003 2,499 3,435 1,850 145 872 1,490 4,099 NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS PROVINCE Grand Total 156,399 23,556 LOAN BALANCE (Million TRY) Adana Adıyaman Diyarbakır Elazığ Gaziantep Hatay Kahramanmaraş Kilis Malatya Osmaniye Şanlıurfa TREASURY INTEREST-SUPPORTED LOANS Additionally, new loans have been made available to tradesmen and ar- tisans through Halkbank since February 2023. These loans and the Re- turn to Life Loan, which was extended to the tradesmen in the provinces affected by the earthquake with a limit of TRY 250,000, a grace period of 12 months, a maturity of 60 months, and an interest support of 50% by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance, have taken their place among the most important efforts for healing the economic wounds of the earth- quakes. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 295 27,202 6,730 RETURN TO LIFE LOAN* 60,333 22,673 Adana 11,857 4,617 Adıyaman 4,545 1,859 Diyarbakır 4,584 1,884 Elazığ 3,003 1,100 Gaziantep 5,907 2,310 Hatay 9,107 2,911 Kahramanmaraş 5,620 1,919 Kilis 331 113 Malatya 2,237 682 Osmaniye 3,876 1,506 Sivas (Gürün) 216 72 Şanlıurfa 9,050 3,700 3,122 778 3,761 937 574 143 576 141 2,237 557 6,986 1,729 4,740 1,162 1 0,25 1,963 477 2,470 615 169 42 603 149 PROVINCE TOTAL LOANS EXTENDED Number of Customers Extended Amount (Million TRY) Number of Customers Extended Amount (Million TRY) Total LOANS EXTENDED IN THE EARTHQUAKE ZONE ON FEBRUARY 6, 2023 AND ONWARDS 296 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS In order to quickly recover economic activities and ensure economic sta- bility following the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş, the Min- istry of Commerce provided various supports to tradesmen and artisans for their professional activities. The Central Union of Turkish Trades- men and Craftsmen Credit and Guarantee Cooperatives (TESKOMB) enabled tradesmen and artisans to restructure their overdue debts to co- operatives. Accordingly, the interests on the debts were eliminated, and principal payments were postponed for 6 months. Per Article 12/B, Paragraph 5 of the Regulation on Principles and Rules to be Applied on Retail Trade, in order to provide economic support to the consumers affected by the earthquakes and facilitate the continuation of trade, retail businesses were temporarily granted the authority to de- termine the periods of installments for the sales of goods and services to the consumers residing in the regions affected by the earthquakes. With the Presidential Decree No. 132 dated March 10, 2023, in the prov- inces where a state of emergency was declared, the tradesmen and crafts- men operating within the scope of the Tradesmen and Craftsmen Pro- fessional Organizations Law No. 5362 who were affected by the earth- quakes will not be charged any fees for the documents to be issued by professional organizations during the state of emergency. With the same decree, professional organizations of tradesmen and craftsmen, cooper- atives and higher unions were allowed to provide in-kind and cash aid in regions where a state of emergency was declared during this period. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 297 In addition to the aforementioned regulations in the legislation, the fol- lowing opportunities were provided within the scope of Law No. 7440: • In relation to the debts that were due as of and including December 31, 2022, but were not paid until the publication date of this Law, including the debts due of tradesmen and craftsmen to their cham- bers in accordance with the provisions of the Tradesmen and Crafts- men Professional Organizations Law No. 5362 dated June 7, 2005, the participation fee payable by the chambers to the relevant unions and federations and the participation fee payable by the unions and federations to the Confederation of Turkish Tradesmen and Crafts- men, and the first installment of the unpaid portion of the original debt in regard to the fund for developing and supporting vocational education of tradesmen and craftsmen, the collection of secondary receivables such as interest, default interest and delay interest is waived, provided that the remainder is paid in monthly periods and in a maximum of nine equal installments until the end of the third month following the date of entry into force of this Law. • In order to facilitate the transactions of tradesmen and craftsmen affected by the earthquakes and provide temporary financial ex- emption, the following provision was published: “For the tradesmen and craftsmen affected by the earthquakes operating in accordance with the provisions of Law No. 5362 in regions where force majeure was declared within the scope of Article 15 of the Law No. 213 by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance due to the earthquakes that oc- curred in the Kahramanmaraş province on February 6, 2023, the fee stipulated in the said Law or any other fee will not be charged for the registration, amendment and cancellation transactions within the borders of the same province, registry certificate transactions, and the announcements to be published in the Trade Registry Gazette regarding the said registration, amendment and cancellation trans- actions until July 31, 2023 (including this date). 298 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS In addition to the opportunities provided within the scope of the legisla- tion, application periods for projects were facilitated during the process of revitalizing the local economy. To this end, the application period was extended until October 31, 2023 for the KOOP-DES Program, which is carried out by the Ministry of Trade in the earthquake zone and aims to support investment projects that will contribute to the production and employment of cooperatives and their parent organizations, ensure ef- fectiveness and efficiency in their activities and contribute to their use of technology and new production techniques. The cooperatives locat- ed in the earthquake zone were also allowed to postpone their ordinary general assemblies until December 31, 2023. The extension period for housing cooperatives was determined as June 30, 2024. In addition to the work carried out by the ministries, the cash support to be provided by the Turkish Red Crescent as part of the Small-Scale Tradesmen Support Program to small-scale tradesmen with damaged workplaces in Adıyaman, Kahramanmaraş, Hatay, Malatya, Gaziantep and Osmaniye, the provinces most affected by the earthquakes, is ex- pected to revitalize workplaces, strengthen them socio-economically, supply the equipment and materials that can be used in their business, ensure their re-integration into economic life, and re-establish their con- tributions to the local economy. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 299 Measures Regarding Unfair Price Increases Having experienced the Disaster of the Century, our country has shown a great example of solidarity. Meanwhile, our State has carried out var- ious efforts with the relevant institutions to prevent all kinds of oppor- tunism aiming to exploit our citizens affected by the earthquakes. To serve this end, the Ministry of Trade carried out inspections of unfair price increases and price tags in the earthquake zone and on the routes. Additionally, extensive investigations were carried out on e-commerce marketplaces and advertising sites regarding the prices of products such as containers, tents, shower-toilet cabins that were urgently needed af- ter the earthquakes, and administrative fines were imposed on the com- panies and facilities that made exorbitant price increases. As a result of the inspections carried out by trade inspectors to determine whether 131 companies operating in the ready-mix concrete and cement industry in the earthquake zone made exorbitant price increases, a total of 27 companies were referred to the Unfair Price Assessment Board on the grounds that they made exorbitant price increases in ready-mix con- crete and cement sales. Supports Provided to the Agriculture and Livestock Industry Agriculture was one of the areas that felt the effects the Disaster of the Century that affected 11 provinces. Many efforts were carried out to min- imize these negative effects and ensure the sustainability of agricultural production. In the first phase, the Turkish Grain Board donated flour, sunflower oil, rice, lentils and similar food items to our citizens for three months at a cost of approximately TRY 371 million. With the work carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministry of Treasury and Finance, legislation on the following issues was prepared and the implementation process was carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry: • Extending feed support payment of TRY 500 for the cattle, and TRY 50 for the sheep of our farmers, • Paying fuel and fertilizer support to our farmers in cash instead of in-kind, 300 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS • Procuring sugar for beehives and supplying live animals to breeders whose cattle, sheep and poultry were affected by the earthquakes, • Making a 100% increase in the certified seed use support provided to farmers who carried out autumn planting in 2022 and spring/sum- mer planting in 2023, • Covering the financial losses experienced by fishing vessel owners hunting in seas and inland waters as they were unable to carry out their fishing activities, and ensuring the continuity of the activities of aquaculture enterprises whose production facilities were affected by the earthquakes. Regulations Regarding Tax Practices In order to eliminate the negative effects of the Disaster of the Century on economic stability, certain tax practices and regulations were imple- mented to alleviate the challenges experienced by the taxpayers in the region and help them return to their normal lives. On the date of the earthquakes, force majeure was declared in the prov- inces of Adana, Adıyaman, Diyarbakır, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kahraman- TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 301 maraş, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye, Şanlıurfa and Elazığ and the Gürün district of the Sivas province, which were heavily affected by the earth- quakes. The obligations of the taxpayers in these provinces and districts to be fulfilled between February 6 and July 31, 2023 were postponed, and the deadline for submitting the declarations and notifications and the payment period for the taxes accrued upon the declarations and no- tifications were extended. In addition, it was announced that no provi- sional tax returns would be required for the first provisional tax period of 2023. Within the framework of the requests submitted to the Ministry of Trea- sury and Finance and the course of daily life, the force majeure set to expire at the end of July 31, 2023 for the taxpayers in Adıyaman, Ha- tay, Kahramanmaraş and Malatya and the İslâhiye and Nurdağı districts of Gaziantep was extended until the end of Tuesday, May 30, 2024. Ar- rangements were made for the declarations and notifications that must be submitted in this process, the taxes accrued on these declarations and notifications, and the payment of the second installment of the 2023 motor vehicle tax and the first installment of the 2024 motor ve- hicle tax. Additionally, all kinds of taxes, penalties and delay interests that accrued before the date of the earthquakes and whose maturity co- incides with the period in which the force majeure was declared, and all kinds of taxes, penalties and delay interests that were assessed in full, ex officio or by the administration before the date of the earthquakes and whose maturity coincides with the period in which the force majeure was declared were evaluated separately as of each maturity date, and it was determined that they must be paid by the end of the 1-year period starting from the initial maturity dates, and by the end of May 31, 2024 if the 1-year period extends to a date later than May 31, 2024. A total of 2,166,685 motor vehicle taxpayers in the 11 provinces and the Gürün district of Sivas benefited from the postponement arrangement within the scope of force majeure. In addition, various efforts were car- ried out regarding postponement within the scope of the restructuring laws No. 7256 and No. 7326, and with the Presidential Decree No. 6831, the payment period of the installments to be paid in March, May and July 2023 were postponed to August, October and December 2023 fol- lowing the end date of the force majeure. In addition, with the Presiden- tial Decree No. 7918, the payment period of the first installment within the scope of the laws no. 7256 and/or no. 7326 between February 6, 2023, 302 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS the date of the earthquakes, and April 30, 2024 (including these dates) for those in debt to the tax offices in areas where the force majeure was extended by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance was extended to the month following the end of the force majeure, and the payment periods of the subsequent installments were extended to be paid in monthly pe- riods following the said month. The debts to the tax offices in areas where force majeure was declared on February 6, 2023, the date of the earthquakes, were allowed to be paid in installments for a maximum of 24 months without interest, provided that the debtors meet the necessary conditions. The necessary facilities were provided for the taxpayers in areas of extended force majeure to have their debts paid in installments for up to 24 months without in- terest, provided that they apply by the end of Monday, July 1, 2024 and meet the necessary conditions. Considering the potential economic and financial effects of the earth- quakes, the practice of issuing a letter showing that there is no debt, sub- ject to the payment of 10% of the deferred debts required in installment applications made due to having difficulties within the scope of Law No. 6183, was removed up to and including July 31, 2023 not only in the earthquake zone, but across the whole country. In addition to the aforementioned efforts, regulations were made regard- ing the force majeure situation of Notaries and Chambers of Commerce. The force majeure for notaries who have obligations in the provinces where force majeure was declared as of the date of the earthquakes was terminated as of March 31, 2023 in terms of their liability for the “Re- turn of Payments Against Receipts to be Made by Notaries” (submitting the returns until the end of working hours on April 11, 2023 and paying the declared amounts within this period), as of the date the taxpayers started their operations for those who reported that they could not start their operations as of April 1, 2023, and as of July 31, 2023 for taxpayers who could not start their operations on this date. Additionally, the force majeure in the earthquake zone was terminated as of March 31, 2023 in terms of their liability for “Notifications Regarding Trade Registry Fees” (submitting the notifications until the end of working hours on Monday, April 17, 2023 and paying the notified amounts within this period), as of the date the taxpayers started their operations for those who reported that they could not start their operations as of April 1, 2023, and as of TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 303 July 31, 2023 for taxpayers who could not start their operations on this date. It was announced to the public that the donations and aid made against receipts to the aid campaigns initiated by the President in order to elim- inate the conditions negatively affecting daily life after the earthquake disaster and meet the urgent needs of our disaster-affected citizens could be deducted from the tax base for the relevant year within the scope of the tax legislation. Accordingly, the “Donations and Aids Guide Within the Scope of the Tax Legislation” was prepared and made available to tax- payers to explain the status of donations and aids within the scope of the tax legislation. Within the scope of information activities, a general letter was sent to all revenue units stating that businesses that provide free accommodation services to people affected by the earthquake under the coordination of provincial AFAD directorates would not be charged VAT and Accommo- dation Tax for these transactions, and the expenses made for these ser- vices would be considered expenses in determining their income tax and corporate tax base. In addition, measures were taken to facilitate the doc- umentation system for fuel sales in the provinces affected by the earth- quakes, and were announced on the Revenue Administration website. The value added tax rate was reduced to 1% until the end of 2023 on the prefabricated structures and containers (including installation and as- sembly works) delivered to earthquake-affected citizens or relevant in- stitutions and organizations for use in the 10 provinces where a state of emergency was declared with the Presidential Decree No. 6790. Addition- ally, as of February 23, 2023, the VAT rate on the delivery of prefabricated structures and containers (including installation and assembly works) was determined as 1% until December 31, 2023 with the Presidential De- cree No. 6830, regardless of the receiving party and without being subject to any provincial restrictions. On the other hand, with the regulation of the Communiqué on the subject, it was made possible for taxpayers who sell at a discounted rate to fulfill their refund requests in cash within the year. Within the framework of the principle of ensuring the continuity of tax services, tax office directorates that were unable to provide service due to the collapse or severe damage of the buildings they serve due to the earth- 304 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS quakes were enabled to provide services in another province or district for a temporary period. In order to increase the accessibility of services, it was announced to taxpayers that all tax transactions could be carried out electronically using the Interactive Tax Office. In order to support the economic continuity of businesses operating in the industries affected by the earthquake in the provinces where force majeure was declared, the deadlines for the guarantees that must be giv- en every May over the total gross sales of the previous year and the guar- antees that must be given by taxpayers who obtained their license for the first time before the date of the earthquakes and whose guarantee period ended after this date were extended to August 31, 2023 for income tax or corporate tax payers with fuel/LPG distributorship and dealership and mineral oil licenses and ordinary partnerships that are liable for val- ue added tax. With the Presidential Decree No. 120 on the Measures Taken in the Field of Justice Within the Scope of the State of Emergency, regulations were made in the provinces where a state of emergency was declared to en- sure that certain deadlines regarding judicial and prosecution law are not implemented and certain transactions are suspended in order to prevent any loss of rights. Since the issue closely concerns the legislation and transactions implemented by the tax office, the necessary measures were implemented by making the necessary announcements to the rel- evant units of the Ministry of Treasury and Finance about the taxpayers within the scope of the Decree, the periods that will not be processed and the transactions that will not be carried out with the Internal Imple- mentation Circular. Changes were made in the practices of public institutions and organiza- tions with the Communiqué on Amendments to the Collection General Communiqué Serial No: A, Item No: 1 (Serial No: A, Item No: 15) pub- lished in the Official Gazette dated February 17, 2023. In this regard, a regulation was put into force throughout the country to remove the re- quirement of tax clearance certificates from the beneficiaries during the payments to be made within the scope of the earthquake disaster until and including July 31, 2023. As for the VAT Circular, for taxpayers who have liability records in areas where force majeure was declared due to the earthquakes as of the date TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 305 of the earthquakes, the end of the three-month period starting from the beginning of the month following the date of export registered delivery in areas was extended for another three months from February 6, 2023 to July 31, 2023 (including this date) within the scope of force majeure without seeking any requirement to apply to the tax office for an addi- tional period. In addition, certain regulations were made in order to eliminate the fi- nancial burden on taxpayers, especially those operating in the iron and steel industry, whose obligation to apply withholding was eliminat- ed due to force majeure. These regulations include allowing taxpayers under force majeure to carry out their transactions without waiting for them to submit their returns, and amendments to the General Commu- niqué on VAT Implementation. In addition, with the Presidential Decree No. 127 published on March 3, 2023, a regulation was made due to the earthquakes that occurred in the province of Kahramanmaraş on Febru- ary 6, 2023 to allow the removal of liens imposed on the debtors in areas where force majeure was declared by the tax offices by banks, the Cen- tral Registry Agency and PTT A.Ş. before the date of the earthquakes. This regulation provided our citizens with the opportunity to save their cash assets in difficult times. Within the scope of legislative regulations, amendments were made to the collection provisions for receivables that meet certain conditions, and it was decided to waive the collection of small receivables within a certain limit. In this regard, Law No. 7440 Regarding the Restructur- ing of Certain Receivables and Making Amendments on Certain Laws came into force after being published in the Official Gazette dated March 12, 2023 and numbered 32130. With the said Law, in addition to the re- structuring provisions, the collection of the receivables pursued by the collection offices affiliated with the Ministry of Treasury and Finance in accordance with Law No. 6183 remaining unpaid as of January 1, 2023 even though their maturity date was before December 31, 2022 (includ- ing this date), and primary and secondary receivables accrued on be- half of a public debtor and not exceeding TRY 2,000 in total across all collection offices was waived. The Law also included special regulations introduced to alleviate the economic burden of individuals and employ- ers affected by the earthquake in the provinces where force majeure was declared. 306 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS • It was decided that income tax and stamp duty would not be collect- ed on the in-kind benefits provided in addition to regular payments such as salaries, premiums and bonuses by employers between Feb- ruary 6 and July 31, 2023 (including these dates) to the service staff whose spouses, children or parents were affected by the earthquake in areas where force majeure was declared, and cash aids whose to- tal amount does not exceed TRY 50,000. In order to remove taxes for homeowners who gave their homes to earthquake victims (real persons in settlements where force majeure was declared as of Feb- ruary 6, 2023) free of charge within the scope of the tax legislation, it was decided that no imputed rental value would be applied for these residences when determining their 2023 income. • It was decided that no tax withholding would be applied on the pay- ments made to the heirs of those who died in earthquakes or at later dates due to injuries in these earthquakes by legal entity pension funds, aid funds, insurance and pension companies, payments made from the private pension system as of February 6, 2023, and pay- ments considered as movable capital income within the scope of the Income Tax Law. • The goods inherited by the heirs of those who died in earthquakes or at later dates due to injuries in these earthquakes, and the ben- efits provided by employers to the spouses, children or parents of deceased service staff between February 6, 2023 and July 31, 2023 (including these dates) were exempted from inheritance and trans- fer tax. Inheritance and transfer tax returns would not be required, and transactions could be carried out in institutions such as land registry and banks without providing a termination document. • Regulations were made regarding the cancellation of real estate tax- es, contribution fee for the protection of immovable cultural assets, environmental cleaning tax, motor vehicle tax and the tax penalties, default interests and delay interests on these receivables accrued be- fore February 6, 2023 and unpaid as of the publication date of Law No. 7440, and the removal of any liens placed on vehicles by the tax offices for buildings that collapsed or were severely or moderately damaged during earthquakes and vehicles that were severely dam- aged and became unusable. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 307 • Traffic and administrative fines imposed before February 6, 2023 for the vehicles within this scope, the administrative fines imposed for irregular crossings on highways, the toll fee related to the impo- sition of this fine, and the relevant secondary receivables were also canceled. • Various regulations were included regarding commercial enterpris- es, trading companies and branches registered with trade registry offices located in areas where force majeure was declared. In addi- tion, it was decided that no fees would be charged for the registra- tion, amendment and cancellation transactions within the same pro- vincial borders and the registry certification for the tradesmen and craftsmen who were affected by the earthquake until and including July 31, 2023, and no fees would be charged for the announcement of the transactions in the Turkish Trade Registry Gazette. • Due to the challenges arising in the collection of receivables from taxpayers who have economic and commercial relations with people operating in the places where force majeure was declared due to the earthquakes that occurred in Kahramanmaraş, the conditions for setting aside provisions for doubtful receivables within the scope of Article 323 of the Tax Procedure Law No. 213 were simplified. • With the decision allowing for provisions for doubtful receivables to be set aside based on the decision made as a result of the declaratory lawsuit filed by a debtor who had to pay the receivables in question, stating that he lost at least one-third of his assets due to the earth- quakes, it was made possible to set aside provisions without requir- ing the debtor to be sued or pursued through enforcement. In addition to these regulations, the submission period was extend- ed for the financial statements and reports of tax-exempt foundations that have headquarters, branches or economic enterprises in the areas where force majeure was declared due to the earthquakes, and it was ensured that the expenses that will be incurred by these foundations outside their area of activity due to the earthquakes could be considered “purposeful spending.” Moreover, in the certification reports prepared by sworn financial advisors, the requirement for a counter examination report was removed for the taxpayers whose books and documents were lost operating in the areas where force majeure was declared. 308 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Measures Taken in the Field of Banking After the February 6 earthquakes, various measures were taken by the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency in order to provide flexibil- ity for the debts of our citizens. These measures are listed below: • Removing the previously determined periods for the maturities of vehicle and consumer loans to be used or restructured by peo- ple residing in the earthquake zone, and leaving the decision for the grace period to the banks, • Increasing credit card installment periods by up to one-fold for sales of goods and services to be carried out with credit cards by member businesses located in these provinces, • Determining the minimum payment amount as 20 percent of the debt in the relevant term for credit cards, regardless of the limit, • Increasing limits taken into consideration by banks when deter- mining the card limit, and ensuring that the banks determine the total card limit at no more than 4 times the average monthly net income of the relevant person for the first year, and no more than 8 times for the second and subsequent years, • Ensuring that credit cards for which the minimum payments due are not made are closed for cash use, purchase of goods and services, and canceled, leaving the decision to not issue new credit cards until the debt is paid in full to the discretion of the banks, and allowing banks to define grace periods and not de- mand their receivables, including the minimum payments ac- crued during the period when the card debts were postponed, • Increasing the total limit of credit cards that natural persons can obtain from TRY 2,000 to TRY 5,000 if their monthly or annual average income level cannot be determined, • Not considering the postponement period in the maturity limits determined in the relevant legislation in cases where the princi- pal and interest payments of consumer and vehicle loans grant- ed by banks, financial leasing, factoring and financing compa- nies are postponed upon the request of the customers, TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 309 • Leaving the provision of credit rating scores and additional doc- uments required from loan customers to the discretion of banks, • Postponing the deadlines for the valuation of real estate collat- erals of loans extended to the customers affected by the earth- quakes, • Extending the deadlines for the information and documents that must be provided to banks by companies located in the earthquake zone and subject to independent audit regarding loan disbursement, • Increasing the daily transaction limit to TRY 5,000, the week- ly transaction limit to TRY 10,000, and the monthly transaction limit to TRY 15,000 in “mobile transfers,” • Performing the verification process in mobile banking transac- tions using the PIN code as well as security questions, custom- er’s demographic information or other information with the bank for a period of 30 days in cases where two-step verification is not possible, • Requiring password in the first contactless transactions made with a card, and continuing the existing practice for subsequent transactions in order to prevent unauthorized card use, • Extending the flexibility provided regarding loan maturity lim- its and credit card installment limits until January 1, 2024. Other measures included deferring loan payments for a minimum of 6 months upon the request of customers affected by the earthquakes, and not seeking customer requests, preventing any grievances, and provid- ing all kinds of convenience, including additional financing, if the defer- ment was made without demanding interest/dividend. In addition, with the Board Decision No. 10656 dated August 24, 2023, it was decided that in loans to be granted to consumers for the purpose of purchasing a home and loans with housing collateral, excluding vehicle loans, the ratio of the maximum loan amount determined in the Board Decision No. 10525 dated February 24, 2023 to the value of the house tak- en as collateral would be reduced by 75% if the consumers had at least one residence owned by themselves, their spouses or their children un- der the age of 18. Accordingly, in the evaluation of the housing owner- 310 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS ship status of the consumers, their spouses or their children under the age of 18, it was decided that the buildings in the “Disaster Areas Affect- ing Daily Life” with moderate or higher damage would not be taken into consideration in order to help the people of the region and eliminate the grievances caused by the earthquakes that occurred on and after Febru- ary 6, 2023. Regulations Made in the Field of Insurance and Private Pension The proactive efforts of our public institutions and organizations con- tributed to taking quicker action in the construction and restoration of the buildings destroyed by the Disaster of the Century. Accordingly, var- ious efforts were carried out in the field of insurance and private pen- sion before the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes on February 6, 2023. First- ly, the DASK Emergency Management Center was opened in Ankara on November 22, 2022, and DASK’s technological infrastructure was re- newed. Notification systems were accelerated to meet the conditions of the time, enabling the receiving of unlimited damage notifications and issuing of 96,000 damage files within 24 hours. In addition, the Main Data Center was moved to the Ankara region, where the earthquake risk is lower. Thanks to the catastrophic modeling product CATMOD, which is the first of its kind in Türkiye and the third of its kind in the world, modeling could made according to our country’s specific building inven- tories and local conditions, and the damage compensation and protec- tion amounts that could be required in case of major earthquakes in our country could be calculated. Following the planning carried out with a proactive approach after the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes, the teams quickly took action. To serve this end, the following efforts were carried out: • With Istanbul teams joining the teams in the Ankara Emergency Management Center, the works were started with a full staff, and thanks to the renewed technological infrastructure, damage noti- fications were received uninterruptedly via the DASK 125 hotline, e-government, and the official website. • In line with the findings of the Ministry of Environment, Urbaniza- tion and Climate Change, damage assessments and payments were processed quickly without even waiting for any notification from the insured, and the first damage payment was made less than 24 hours after the earthquake. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 311 • DASK trucks and a group of damage teams located in the Ankara Emergency Management Center were transferred to the region on the same day, and DASK Contact Offices were established in con- tainers the provinces of Malatya, Iskenderun, Osmaniye, Şanlıurfa, Adıyaman, Hatay, Gaziantep, Elazığ and Kahramanmaraş in order to serve the entire region. Contact offices continued to operate in the region until October 31, 2023. • On February 27, 2023, 21 days after the earthquake, the advance pay- ment system was initiated with the “Circular on Advance Payments to be Made by the Natural Disaster Insurance Institution within the Scope of Compulsory Earthquake Insurance (2023/10)” issued by the Insurance and Private Pension Regulation and Supervision Agency, and 20% of the insurance amount for destroyed, to-be-de- molished and severely damaged buildings and 10% of the insurance amount for moderately damaged buildings was paid in advance to the insured in order to meet the cash needs of our citizens. • Following the earthquakes, the collaboration between the Banks Association of Türkiye and DASK enabled conveniences for the in- sured with mortgage loans. • The technological infrastructure was further developed, and new services related to DASK were offered on e-government. Public institutions and organizations carried out intense collaborative efforts to accelerate the payment process for the damages and ensure that the insured receive their compensation as soon as possible. The ef- forts carried out in this regard are listed below. • The parametric payment method was used in order to finalize the existing 600,000 damage files. Per the Ministry of Environment, Ur- banization and Climate Change, compensation payment parameters were 15% for slight damages, 50% for moderate damages, and 100% for severe damages and destroyed buildings, and 97% of the damage files were finalized within 6 months. • On February 7, 2023, the Spatial Address Registration System (MAKS) data were obtained for 10 provinces and integrated into DASK systems. With this integration, damage assessments of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and DASK Insurance policies were matched with high accuracy (90%), 312 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS enabling payments to start quickly. For the remaining 10%, the pro- cess was carried out as usual, and the transactions were completed. • In order to speed up the process of determining the ownership of the insured so that their damage processes could be concluded as quick- ly as possible, the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre was contacted and all title deed parcel attributes and coordinates in the relevant provinces were shared with DASK. • In order to prevent the insured from being left without coverage in the provinces where a state of emergency was declared, Compulsory Earthquake Insurance policies were automatically renewed, the reg- ulation regarding the payment of compulsory insurance premiums in at least six installments came into force four days after the earth- quake, and premium collections were postponed for three months. • “Sector Announcement on Life Insurance Practices in Regions De- clared State of Emergency Due to Earthquake” dated March 16, 2023 and numbered 2023/6 was published in order to prevent the rela- tives of the insured who died due to earthquakes from experienc- ing any problems in the regions where a state of emergency was de- clared by the Insurance and Private Pension Regulation and Super- vision Agency. Additionally, transactions that can be carried out in favor of the borrower in order to comply with the BRSA regulations in terms of insurance regarding the loan payments of our citizens in the earthquake zone were listed. • The Regulation on Partial Payment in the Private Pension System was published, enabling participants to receive a partial payment of up to 50 percent of the savings amount in their account without leav- ing the system in case of earthquakes and similar natural disasters, and to also be paid a state contribution of 25 percent of the partially paid amount. The regulation is planned to come into force in Apr In addition to all these efforts, the Insurance and Private Pension Regu- lation and Supervision Agency provided flexibility for stocks in the re- strictions regarding the funds in the State Contribution portfolio in the Private Pension System. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 313 Sustainable Development The requests of TOBB, TİM, TESK and similar NGOs representing the private sector were received by the Ministry of Commerce regarding what can be done within the scope of the development of the earthquake zone, which included issues such as tax and grant regulations. Türkiye Exporters Assembly and Exporters’ Associations were allowed to do- nate TRY 30.5 million of in-kind aid for use in the earthquake zone. Grant support was provided to public institutions and organizations, non-governmental organizations, natural persons and legal entities to ensure the sustainable development of the Disaster Area. The Regional Development Oriented Recovery Urgent Action Program (BOTAP) was implemented under the coordination of the General Directorate of De- velopment Agencies of the Ministry of Industry and Technology in order to rapidly improve the infrastructure and quality of life in the regions affected by the February 6 earthquakes, take measures for economic re- covery and growth, and increase the disaster resilience of the region. In accordance with the Program Resource Table in the annex of the Pro- cedures and Principles of the Regional Development Oriented Recovery Urgent Action Program, which came into force per Article 2 of the Pres- idential Decree No. 134 on Measures Taken for Regional Development and Investment Incentives within the Scope of the State of Emergency, published in the Official Gazette dated March 12, 2023 and numbered 32130, resource transfers were made to the project accounts by the West Mediterranean Development Agency. Resources were transferred to earthquake zone agencies within the scope of BOTAP. In addition, various projects are ongoing within the scope of the Region- al Development Oriented Recovery Urgent Action Program (BOTAP) de- veloped by the General Directorate of Development Agencies of the Min- istry of Industry and Technology and locally coordinated by the Çukuro- va Development Agency, and the Social Development Support Program (SOGEP). Within the scope of BOTAP, the Karacadağ Development Agency provided resource support to various projects in Diyarbakır. All coordination works for the temporary bazaars planned to be estab- lished for tradesmen whose workplaces were destroyed or whose net- works were damaged in Malatya, which is among the provinces affected by the earthquake, were transferred to the Fırat Development Agency by the Malatya Governorship, and the workplaces in the bazaars estab- 314 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS lished with the successful work carried out by the Agency were allocated to the beneficiaries determined by the established commission. Key projects were implemented by Fırat Development Agency with- in the scope of BOTAP to support the industrial sector affected by the earthquakes in the Malatya province. With the bazaar projects carried out within the scope of the program, workplaces were quickly built for tradesmen and manufacturers whose previous workplaces were de- stroyed, and the commercial and economic life in the province was re- vitalized. The Ministry of Trade is currently carrying out extensive efforts, includ- ing a training and support model for electronic commerce aimed at in- creasing and improving the economic activities of the provinces located in the earthquake zone. These efforts aim to inform our citizens about the advantages of e-commerce, which allows easy access to national and international markets at low costs without the need for a physical store. Additionally, in order to prevent suppliers from losing their rights in or- ders already placed through the State Supply Office, force majeure was declared due to the earthquakes, and arrangements were made to imme- diately evaluate and finalize the companies’ requests, such as additional time and mutual termination of contracts. Activities for Customs Operations and Transactions Within the scope of the customs efforts carried out in order to increase economic stability, the customs processes of the vehicles and materials to be used in search and rescue activities coming from abroad following the February 6 earthquakes were completed promptly by facilitating the customs procedures. Within the scope of inter-institutional coordina- tion, AFAD was provided with well-kept statistical data regarding the humanitarian aid and supplies coming to our country due to the crisis. Additionally, the control procedures for foodstuffs and health supplies arriving in our country due to the crisis were accelerated under the coor- dination of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture and For- estry and the Ministry of Trade. Goods with no address for delivery were delivered to the Ministry of Trade. In addition, the goods in the ware- houses were considered as crisis goods, and it was ensured that there were no disruptions in the transfer of these goods to public institutions TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 315 and organizations, associations working for the public good, founda- tions granted tax exemption by the President, and in the delivery of the goods in the free zones to the said institutions. Imports of aid materials were quickly shipped into the country, and were exempted from customs duties or any foreign trade measures and pol- icies in accordance with the provisions in the customs legislation. Ac- cordingly, a total of 7,909 shipments were carried out by road, air, sea and railway, and various clothing items, food and health supplies, med- ical devices, search and rescue equipment and heavy equipment sent from 120 countries passed through the customs. Additional efforts are listed below: • The implementation of certain customs penalties in the customs legislation in the transactions of obliged parties in all customs ad- ministrations in the provinces where a state of emergency has been declared, and in the transactions of obliged parties in other prov- inces at the customs administrations in these provinces, was post- poned until July 31, 2023. • Since the service buildings of the Antakya, Adıyaman, Islahiye and Kahramanmaraş Customs Directorates in the earthquake zone be- came unusable, the transactions carried out by the mentioned cus- toms directorates were transferred to other customs directorates. In the meantime, Kahramanmaraş, Adıyaman and Antakya customs directorates were immediately put into operation. Efforts in the Field of Foreign Trade and International Trade in Services Following the earthquakes that occurred on February 6, 2023, an online meeting was held on March 15, 2023 with the participation of the Trade Facilitation Coordination Committee and NGO representatives in order to minimize the negative effects of the disaster on the normal flow of trade and discuss what kind of measures were taken to contribute to the improvement of economic and commercial life in the region in the me- dium and long term. The meeting was instrumental in expressing the measures taken due to the earthquakes, as well as the steps that could be taken in this regard. 316 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Considering post-earthquake sectoral risks for the foreign trade balance is important in terms of strengthening economic stability. Accordingly, in order to prevent supply deficits that may occur due to overseas ship- ments in the face of a sudden and high increase in the need for tempo- rary housing, exports were not allowed between February 15, 2023 and May 14, 2023. The entire production capacity of containers was directed primarily to our earthquake-affected regions, and the resulting tempo- rary shelter needs were met as well. In addition, within the scope of AF- AD’s efforts to provide containers to our citizens requiring urgent shelter due to the earthquakes, an e-mail group was created to check on price movements in the supply processes with the participation of the rele- vant producers, user associations and companies. Efforts were made to continue the process smoothly, and by following the developments, it was ensured that sheet metal and panel products were supplied at af- fordable prices for the containers to be used in the earthquake zone. Various efforts were carried out to prevent any issues arising from the commercial activities in the earthquake zone. Legislative amendments were made to grant additional exemption periods for inward process- ing certificates, inward processing permits, tax, duty and fee exemption documents, and undocumented export credits. Accordingly, considering the disruptions expected in the production processes in the Adıyaman, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş and Malatya provinces, all of which were seri- ously affected by the earthquakes, the relevant deadlines were extended until and including December 31, 2023, granting additional time ex offi- cio or upon application in order to prevent the risk of companies in the situation specified in the legislation amendment not being able to fulfill their commitments within the scope of the inward processing regime and tax, duty and fee exemption legislation on time, provided that other additional time rights are reserved. In addition, the duration of authority of the Ministry of Trade to grant permission for the import of used goods required for the debris removal and reconstruction activities carried out in the region was extended, regardless of the customs value determined in the notification. Various supports were provided for companies and organizations with headquarters or production activities in one of the 11 provinces in the earthquake zone to ensure that they do not experience any inconve- nience in benefiting from the fair supports provided by the Ministry of Trade in regard to time extension and flexibility in the application pro- cesses. Additionally, time extensions and support area expansions were TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 317 carried out with the goal of enabling earthquake victims and businesses in the region to recover economically and continue their export activi- ties. Within the scope of the expansion works, approval was granted for beneficiaries with production facilities to benefit from the same rights as the beneficiaries with headquarters in the said provinces, including Elazığ, the 11th province to be declared as a disaster area. On February 24, 2023, efforts were carried out for companies and coop- eration organizations that have headquarters or production facilities in 11 provinces and active support periods. The arrangements made in this regard included additional time for support periods, time extensions for Supporting The Development Of International Competitiveness (UR-GE) projects carried out through cooperation organizations over- seeing the projects/delegations in which they are involved, and design and product development projects of companies. In addition, extensions were made to the support application and completion deadlines of the cooperation organizations that oversee the projects and delegations of the beneficiaries with headquarters and production facilities in the 11 provinces affected by the earthquake and the companies with headquar- ters and production facilities in one of these provinces, and to the dead- lines for preliminary examination works in accordance with the relevant legislation. An additional regulation was made to ensure that the export conditions specified in the relevant documents are not required for 2023. In order to avoid any delay in the supply of urgently needed products to the market, policies regarding product safety inspections in imports for product groups such as radio products, medical devices and person- al protective equipment needed by earthquake-affected provinces were reviewed. The following efforts were carried out as well: • Time extensions were provided for applications required for inter- national surveillance companies. • Necessary arrangements were made by Eximbank regarding the re- structuring of the existing loans of the exporters in the region. • Additional time was granted in the support legislation for applica- tions and projects. • Changes were made in the customs duties of steel products with 210 different HS codes. 318 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS • However, due to the interruptions in flat steel production in the earthquake zone, the implementation of the customs duty increase on flat steel products was postponed, and the current taxes came into force on May 1, 2023. Measures for the Protection of Consumers and Trade As our country experienced the Disaster of the Century, it is essential that the rights of consumers affected by the earthquake are protected and commercial activities are sustained. To serve this end, a series of efforts were carried out to resolve consumer disputes, prevent loss of rights, and eliminate the grievances arising from the earthquakes. In order to prevent any loss of rights and eliminate any grievances around consumer disputes in the provinces where a state of emergency was declared following the February 6 earthquakes, measures and reg- ulations were implemented regarding all the work and transactions of the consumer arbitration committees operating in these provinces. Price tag inspections were carried out within the scope of the Price Tag Reg- ulation to prevent any earthquake-related opportunism. Additionally, a crisis desk was established at the Command and Control Center of the Ministry of Trade under the coordination of the General Directorate of Customs Enforcement. Supports for Free Zones In order to eliminate the effects of the February 6 earthquakes on the economy, certain exceptions were made to the special account fees im- plemented in Free Zones. These arrangements were made to relieve the area affected by the earthquake. Accordingly, the special account fee of 9 per thousand charged per Article 41 of the Free Zones Implementa- tion Regulation was not collected for “goods sent to those affected by crisis situations such as natural disasters, (...)” in order to help the area affected by the February 6 earthquakes. Additionally, 73 companies in 14 free zones provided in-kind and cash aid to the area affected by the earthquakes. Supports for Businesses Businesses were provided with various opportunities through the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Organization (KOSGEB) for the TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 319 economic reconstruction and revitalization efforts in the provinces af- fected by the earthquake: • Quick financing of up to TRY 1.5 million depending on the scale of the business, • Interest-free KOSGEB Emergency Support Loan Program, • TRY 300,000 in support for SMEs and industrial tradesmen in earth- quake zones for up to 10 containers (TRY 30,000 per container), • Erasing the 2023 debts of all businesses in the earthquake zone to KOSGEB and the debts of the business owners who lost their lives in the disaster, • Postponing TRY 2.5 million in debts repayable of 29 businesses in the earthquake-affected provinces of Adana, Adıyaman, Diyarbakır, Hatay, Malatya and Şanlıurfa to 2024, • Erasing TRY 11 million in debts of 347 businesses in 11 provinces, • Increasing entrepreneurship support limits for the earthquake re- gion, • Traditional Entrepreneur Support Program, which provides non-re- payable support of up to TRY 130,000 to entrepreneurs establishing their businesses, • Advanced Entrepreneur Support Program, which provides non-re- payable support of up to TRY 750,000 in total to entrepreneurs es- tablishing their businesses, • The Private Sector Strengthening Project aimed at promoting social and economic harmony in Türkiye, • Facilitating the applications made from the Adana, Gaziantep, Ha- tay, Kahramanmaraş, Kilis and Şanlıurfa provinces within the scope of the Employment Committed SME Finance Support Program. In addition to these efforts, as part of the “Official Employment Promo- tion in Türkiye” project carried out with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the “Strengthening the Private Sector to Promote Social and Economic Cohesion in Türkiye” project financed by the European Union (EU) and managed by the Ger- man Development Bank (KfW), non-repayable support is provided for a 320 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS maximum of 60% of the interest expenses of working capital loans that our SMEs will use from banks within the scope of the Employment Com- mitted SME Finance Support Program in order to ensure employment continuity in the earthquake-affected provinces of Adana, Adıyaman, Diyarbakır, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Kilis, Malatya, Osmani- ye and Şanlıurfa. Campaigns and Projects In order to heal the wounds caused by the Disaster of the Century and ensure the continuity of economic and social life, our State carried out various projects and campaigns with relevant institutions and organiza- tions within the scope of zoning and recovery works. These included the following: Earthquake Solidarity Mobilization An “Earthquake Aid Mobilization” was organized in e-commerce. E-com- merce marketplaces, vendors and cargo and logistics businesses operat- ing in our country participated in the voluntary e-Mobilization. In the e-mobilization campaign, only the essentials needed during the earth- quake were sold, and no commission fee was charged from the vendors for the sales made through e-commerce marketplaces, and the vendors sold their products at discounted prices. Within the scope of the “Earth- quake Solidarity Mobilization” carried out under the coordination of the Ministry of Trade, the total number of products sold reached 4,718,201 units, and the total price of the products sold reached TRY 397,337,898. The Earthquake Solidarity Mobilization campaign successfully achieved its goal, and was completed on August 23, 2023. Bazaar Project for the Workplaces Affected by the Earthquake The project was realized by the Çukurova Development Agency with plans to establish a bazaar consisting of 40 shops that will be available for the use of tradesmen affected by the earthquake with a budget of TRY 25 million. Two addresses where the bazaar will be established were identified, and a tender was held for the construction work by the Yüreğir Municipality, the partner and executive of the project. The ten- der was completed, and the bidder was invited to sign the contract. It is anticipated that the contract will be signed with the bidder and the project will be delivered before the end of December. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 321 Cumhuriyet Square Parking Lot Jewelry Bazaar Project The project was carried out by the Fırat Development Agency within the scope of the Regional Development-Oriented Recovery Urgent Ac- tion Program. The goal of this project was to establish a jewelers’ bazaar by departmentalizing the parking garage under the Cumhuriyet Square with prefabricated building elements for 88 jewelers whose workplaces were destroyed or severely damaged after the earthquakes on February 6, 2023. Since jewelers operate as “micro-scale financing institutions” for other tradesmen in the city, the establishment of the jeweler’s bazaar is considered to be of critical importance for the normalization of trade. 322 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Fırat Development Agency Tekstilpark Project (National Park Parking Lot Project) Within the scope of the Regional Development-Oriented Recovery Ur- gent Action Program, 20 workplaces of 150 square meters were built in the indoor parking lot of the National Park located next to the Battalgazi Municipality for ready-to-wear clothing manufacturers whose work- places were damaged after the earthquakes on February 6, 2023. With the project, the necessary construction works were completed and tem- porary workplaces were established in the municipality’s parking lot in the city center for the ready-to-wear clothing manufacturers in Akpınar Square, whose workplaces were destroyed or severely damaged after the earthquakes. The project created employment for 240 people. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 323 İpekyolu Bazaar Projects in Nurdağı and İslahiye Built on an area of 52,000 square meters in the Nurdağı and İslahiye dis- tricts of Gaziantep within the scope of the Regional Development-Ori- ented Recovery Urgent Action Plan (BOTAP) carried out by the İpekyo- lu Development Agency, the İpekyolu Bazaars project is now complete. In the bazaars built with earthquake-resistant steel construction, 329 workplaces have been delivered. Tradesmen who moved to the sur- rounding provinces due to the earthquake returned to the district and resumed their operations after the completion of the bazaars. District İslahiye İpekyolu Grand Bazaar (1st Phase) İslahiye İpekyolu Small Bazaar (1st Phase) Nurdağı Nurdağı İpekyolu New Bazaar (2nd Phase) Nurdağı Nurdağı İpekyolu Bazaar (1st Phase) 9,200 m2 6,200 m2 13,500 m2 23,000 m2 Land 2,600 m2 1,150 m2 5,000 m2 7,000 m2 Indoor Area TRY 20,679,750 TRY 9,146,812,5 TRY 40,000,000 TRY 58,062,375 Cost TOTAL Number of Workplaces 64 22 110 133 329 51,900 m2 15,750 m2 TRY 127,888,937,50 324 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Workshop and Entrepreneurship Center Projects in Nurdağı and İslahiye The İpekyolu Development Agency provided nearly TRY 200 million in earthquake support in the Nurdağı and İslahiye districts of Gaziantep. As part of the support, bazaars, workshops and social entrepreneurship centers were built. Workplaces are now being delivered to their owners, and the goal is to create employment for a thousand people. It is esti- mated that the completion of the bazaars will strengthen the trade eco- system of the region and provide a significant increase in investment, production and employment. Next to the bazaars are the İpekyolu Social Entrepreneurship Centers and a textile and shoe workshop built within the scope of the Social En- trepreneurship Strengthening and Harmonization Project under the co- ordination of the World Bank in order to increase the participation of young people and adults in socioeconomic life. In addition to entrepre- neurship training, events are organized at the entrepreneurship center to reduce the effects of the earthquake and strengthen communication skills. The center, where young people study and spend their free time, offers intelligence games, robotic coding and computer training. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 325 326 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS My Business is Better Than Ever Project The “My Business is Better Than Ever Project” was carried out by the Karacadağ Development Agency within the scope of BOTAP. The proj- ect aimed to prevent migration to cities and contribute to sustainable animal husbandry by ensuring the continuity of livestock enterprises affected by the earthquake. Farmers and Tradesmen Support Program The region is a leading producer of various fruits and vegetables for both national and international markets in provinces such as Adana, Gazian- tep, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Malatya and Şanlıurfa, and is a key part of the food industry. Accordingly, the Turkish Red Crescent launched an aid program for small- and medium-sized enterprises and farmers. This initiative aims to provide cash assistance to farmers in the six most af- fected provinces, helping them recover and regain their livelihoods. This support is vital to revitalizing the agricultural sector and mitigating the significant economic impact of the earthquakes. With this project, fi- nancial support was provided to small-sized enterprises affected by the earthquakes to revitalize and recover local economies. The project is ex- pected to continue in 2024. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 327 5.8. Efforts for Work and Social Life 328 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS The Elbistan and Pazarcık earthquakes of February 6, 2023, the biggest di- saster in the history of our Republic, were one of the biggest challenges our country has ever faced. The Disaster of the Century affected the 11 provinces, causing widespread economic, social, physical and psychological damages that will be felt in both the short and long term. The provinces affected by the earthquakes in terms of employment and workforce have an important pla- ce in our country’s economy. According to 2021 data in the 2023 Kahraman- maraş and Hatay Earthquakes Report prepared by the Presidency of Strategy and Budget, 3.8 million people are employed in the 11 provinces affected by the earthquake. After the earthquakes, it has become mandatory to support the employment and workforce in the region, which has a share of 13.3 per- cent in the country’s employment. Our State has mobilized all its institutions and resources, and started working with all its strength to revitalize the pro- vinces affected by the disaster. All our relevant institutions have started to urgently implement various programs in order to quickly heal the wounds in the region and ensure the continuity of work life. Community Benefit Programs To ensure more flexible implementation of the Community Benefit Programs (TYP) carried out in order to protect employment and ensure the continuity of the labor market in the 11 provinces affected by the earthquake, an excep- tion was made to the 9-month rule and the 24-month ban rule regarding the total benefit period, limited only to the provinces where a state of emergency was declared. With the amendment to the regulation published in the Official Gazette dated August 16, 2023, the validity period of these rules was exten- ded until December 31, 2024. Within the scope of the project, a protocol was signed with the International Labor Organization (ILO) for the organization of Community Benefit Programs in earthquake-affected provinces, and prog- rams were started in Adıyaman, Hatay and Kahramanmaraş with a quota of 258 people. Programs were allocated for a total of 52,459 people for organiza- tion in collaboration with governorships, AFAD and the Ministry of Labor and Social Security in the provinces affected by the earthquake. As of December 20, 2023, 94% of the quota is full and a total of TRY 6,619,000,000 has been al- located for the programs. In the programs, 45,084 people have been realloca- ted for nine months. A fund of TRY 326 million was allocated to the Ministry of National Education, the Ministry of Family and Social Services and gover- norships with a program of 5,616 people in a total of 37 provinces, excluding the 11 provinces affected by the earthquake. Due to the earthquakes, a fund of TRY 6,946,000,000 was allocated with a program of 58,075 people. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 329 ADANA ADIYAMAN AĞRI ANKARA ANTALYA ARDAHAN AYDIN BALIKESİR BİNGÖL BİTLİS BURDUR BURSA ÇORUM DİYARBAKIR ELAZIĞ ESKİŞEHİR GAZİANTEP HATAY IGDIR ISPARTA İSTANBUL İZMİR KAHRAMANMARAŞ KARAMAN KARS KASTAMONU KAYSERİ KIRŞEHİR KIRIKKALE KİLİS KOCAELİ KONYA KÜTAHYA MALATYA MARDİN MERSİN MUŞ NEVŞEHİR NİĞDE OSMANİYE SİVAS ŞANLIURFA TRABZON TUNCELİ UŞAK VAN YOZGAT ZONGULDAK TOTAL 1,453 7,856 30 414 345 30 200 60 60 50 45 55 35 3,534 1790 25 5,107 11,618 350 250 55 225 8,178 25 30 35 402 27 350 721 60 422 35 6,686 30 1,380 25 55 50 3,097 45 2,419 66 145 55 25 25 100 58,075 193,663,670 1,008,309,900 2,263,200 23,113,340 18,134,300 2,263,200 15,088,000 2,843,000 4,526,400 3,772,000 3,394,800 4,149,200 2,640,400 369,309,860 195,450,160 1,886,000 713,866,830 1,470,400,480 32,340,000 9,430,000 4,149,200 9,512,000 1,052,080,980 1,886,000 2,263,200 2,640,400 30,326,880 2,036,880 19,000,000 94,626,190 4,526,400 23,943,180 2,640,400 801,389,390 2,263,200 54,722,700 1,886,000 4,149,200 3,772,000 422,470,830 3,394,800 298,232,410 4,979,040 10,938,800 4,149,200 1,886,000 1,886,000 3,772,000 6,946,368,020 TOTAL PROVINCE QUOTA ALLOCATION TOTAL OF 11 PROVINCES AFFECTED BY THE EARTHQUAKE TOTAL QUOTA ALLOCATION 52,459 6,619.800,700 Table of Community Benefit Programs Allocated Due to Earthquakes 330 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Short-Term Working Allowance To make sure that the workplaces affected by the earthquake do not lay off their workers during this period, the short-time working allowance system was introduced, applications were received, and payments were made. In accordance with the Presidential Decree No. 125, applications for Short-Term Working Allowance were received without requesting any documents from the workplaces in the provinces and districts that were deemed appropriate by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security and were relatively more damaged by the earthquakes, and the workp- laces documented as destroyed, to-be-demolished, severely damaged or moderately damaged due to the earthquakes, and payments were made without waiting for the completion of the eligibility assessment. The short-time working period of three months was extended for another three months with the Presidential Decree. Within the scope of Short- Term Working Allowance, based on the earnings in the last 12 months, one person received a payment of at least TRY 3,760 for one month. Cash Support With the Presidential Decree No. 125, the Cash Support system was intro- duced for those who applied for unemployment benefits due to workp- lace closures as a result of the earthquake and those who were emplo- yed for a short time, whose eligibility for short-time working allowance or unemployment benefits could not be determined since they did not meet the necessary premium conditions. With Cash Support, one person received a payment of TRY 3,973 for one month. To date, Cash Support has been provided to approximately 82,000 people. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 331 Cash Support- Those Ineligible for Short-Term Working Allowance Cash Support- Those Ineligible for Unemployment Benefits NUMBER OF PEOPLE NUMBER OF PEOPLE AMOUNT PAİD AMOUNT PAID PROVINCES ADANA ADIYAMAN DİYARBAKIR ELAZIĞ GAZİANTEP HATAY KAHRAMANMARAŞ KİLİS MALATYA OSMANİYE ŞANLIURFA 3,542 7,963 344 0 6,985 24,003 21,021 70 14,057 1,325 1,636 48 198 24 0 33 179 94 1 90 12 20 17,900,854 70,895,861 2,470,298 0 35,636,425 233,599,688 191,647,006 324,844 125,261,353 8,881,629 3,990,296 393,971 1,908,542 120,774 0 238,502 1,590,717 701,070 5,032 781,056 66,081 150,702 TOTAL 80,946 699 690,608,253 5,956,449 Cash Support Data Activities Carried Out Within the Scope of Active Labor Market Practices Various efforts were carried out in the active labor market in order to accelerate development in the disaster area, increase employment, and heal the wounds of the disaster as soon as possible. To this end, a regula- tion was made to pay the essential expenses for the months of January, February, March and April for İŞKUR’s On-the-Job Training Programs on a full month basis and at least at minimum wage, regardless of the attendance and the participant status of the participants. During the sta- te of emergency, employers were given the opportunity to suspend the programs upon request, and arrangements were made to pay the parti- 332 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS cipants during this period. During this period, requesting program par- ticipants were removed from the program without any sanctions, and their participation in this program was not included in the calculation of benefits. Other efforts carried out for provinces under a state of emergency within the scope of active labor market practices are as follows: • A change was made regarding the continuation of the programs of workplaces benefiting from short-time working allowance and wage guarantee fund systems in the provinces under a state of emergency, and applications for new programs in the workplaces in other pro- vinces. • Employers’ employment obligations were postponed for a period not exceeding the state of emergency period. • In order to provide convenience to employers in the region, a change was made in the calculation method of employment obligation. The period for notification of employment obligation and the monthly checks carried out within the scope of the program were postponed until the end date of the state of emergency. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 333 0 5 0 0 1 , 0 0 0 1 , 5 0 0 2 , 0 0 0 2 , 5 0 0 ADANA ADIYAMAN DİYARBAKIR GAZİANTEP HATAY KAHRAMANMARAŞ KİLİS MALATYA OSMANİYE ŞANLIURFA 1,922 1,475 1,413 862 953 70 111 644 692 199 7 155 189 486 187 239 ON-THE-JOB TRAINING PROGRAM ADANA MALATYA OSMANİYE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COURSE 10 1 26 1 42 2 Number of Participants Number of Programs 10,757 Grand Total 1,467 Active Labor Market Practices Data (February 6, 2023-October 31, 2023) 2,280 50 142 66 334 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Additionally, efforts are being carried out to make certain changes in the Active Labor Services legislation for the earthquake region with the goal of providing certain flexibilities with customized policies for the imple- mentation of the courses and programs in the provinces of the region. These steps aim to ensure faster economic and social recovery of the re- gion affected by the earthquake. The measures taken in this regard are listed below. In addition to all these supports and measures, Turkish Airlines, Türkiye’s national flagbearer, announced its decision to employ one citizen from every thousand families in the 11 provinces affected by the earthquake along with its subsidiaries and affiliates. International Collaborations and Workforce Within the scope of collaboration with the World Bank, the Internatio- nal Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), İŞKUR delivered a total of 60 containers to the Adana, Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Hatay, Adıyaman, Kahramanmaraş and Malatya provinces affected by the earthquakes. As a result of the meetings held with the officials of the ILO Türkiye Of- fice since February 2023, an inter-institutional agreement was reached on the implementation of the Community Benefit Program, which is ex- pected to benefit approximately 270 people with a budget of $400,000 in the Hatay, Kahramanmaraş and Adıyaman provinces affected by the earthquakes. All applications for the programs were received in October. The programs started in November, and are expected to end in Decem- ber. Within the scope of international collaborations, meetings were held with the officials of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refuge- es (UNHCR) on support activities for the provinces of the region. As a result of the negotiations, active workforce (Applied Training Program) activities were planned within the scope of the Social Resilience Prog- ram (SODAP) in collaboration with the Turkish Employment Agency (İŞKUR) and the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) for Syrians Under Temporary Protection (SUTP), foreigners under International Protection (IP), and Turkish citizens. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 335 These collaborations started producing programs with plans to organi- ze an Applied Training Program for approximately 820 people for three months in Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Adıyaman, Malatya, Osmaniye, Di- yarbakır, Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa and Adana until December 31, 2023, and transfer approximately TRY 30 million in resources to the earthquake zone. ADANA ADIYAMAN GAZİANTEP HATAY MALATYA KAHRAMANMARAŞ ŞANLIURFA 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 TOTAL 5 TOTAL 33 TOTAL 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 10 13 3 3 4 10 5 2 5 0 TOTAL 5 Number of Containers Delivered by Province 336 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS The Ministry of Labor and Social Security aims to support the agricultural and livestock sectors and contribute to the socio-economic revitalization of the region in close coordination with other relevant stakeholders by col- laborating with the General Directorate for International Labor Force, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the Food and Agri- culture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to improve the work life conditions in Kahramanmaraş, Kilis, Diyarbakır, Adana, Osmaniye, Gazi- antep, Şanlıurfa, Adıyaman, Malatya and Hatay, which were affected by the earthquakes on February 6, 2023. Accordingly, the General Directorate made field trips to the provinces of Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa and Kahraman- maraş between July 17 and July 20, 2023 with representatives of the Mi- nistry of Agriculture and Forestry, IOM and FAO. As of February 17, 2023, the waiting periods for the payment of all fees due and for submission of missing and updated documents for work permit applications made in the earthquake-affected provinces of Kahramanma- raş, Kilis, Diyarbakır, Adana, Osmaniye, Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Adıyaman, Malatya and Hatay were extended until the end of the state of emergency by the General Directorate of International Labor Force of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. In addition, as stated in Article 3, Paragraph 1 of the Presidential Decree No. 128 titled “Renewal of Documents,” and in accordance with the provision regarding the renewal of lost or unusable work permits and work permit exemption documents for persons whose residences are in the provinces where a state of emergency was declared, and for persons documenting that they are residing in one of the provin- ces where a state of emergency was declared as of February 6, 2023, the General Directorate of International Labor Force of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security did not charge valuable paper fees or any other fees for the renewal of these documents during the state of emergency. Additionally, in the earthquake-affected provinces of Adana, Adıyaman, Osmaniye, Gaziantep, Hatay and Malatya, work permit applications were facilitated for companies working in TOKİ Project, in accordance with the tenders held by the Housing Development Administration (TOKİ) of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change. Assistance was requested in having NATO send tent cities with a capa- city of 8,000 people to our country by NATO to support the survivors of the earthquakes, and in providing work permit exemptions to the foreign workers of companies operating as contractors on behalf of NATO so that they can stay in our country during the establishment of tent cities. In ac- TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 337 cordance with Article 48/h of the Regulation on the Implementation of the Law on International Labor Force, it was stated that foreigners who were notified by relevant public institutions and organizations that they could provide significant services and contributions to Türkiye in economic, socio-cultural and technological fields and education would be evaluated within the scope of work permit exemptions. As of August 21, 2023, the Ge- neral Directorate of International Labor Force of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security started receiving applications for work permit exemptions of the foreign workers who will work in our country to build tent cities. From February 6 to November 30, 2023, our Ministry granted 126,593 work permits and 398 work permit exceptions to the earthquake-affected pro- vinces of Kahramanmaraş, Kilis, Diyarbakır, Adana, Osmaniye, Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Adıyaman, Malatya, Hatay and Elazığ. The number of work per- mits granted to foreigners who will work in seasonal agriculture and ani- mal husbandry was 36,480. It was observed that the majority of the work permits issued were in the fields of manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, healthcare and social ser- vices, and construction, respectively. Measures Taken to Improve Work Life The information of people registered with İŞKUR in the professions that will be needed in the earthquake zone were compiled and shared with the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency. In addition, regulations were implemented to extend the time limits for notifications and facilitate payments for workplaces and program beneficiaries that benefit from ac- tive workforce programs and were affected by the earthquake. The İŞKUR staff from provincial directorates outside the earthquake zone visited temporary residences such as tent cities, dormitories and hotels where the survivors of the earthquake who were transferred to other pro- vinces were settled, and provided consultancy services to those who wan- ted to work in their current province. In the following process, the neces- sary software infrastructure was established to identify earthquake vic- tims from the administrative records of the institutions. As of February 6, 2023, a citizen can be registered with İŞKUR as “affected by the disaster” using inter-institutional web services if he/she resides in a province in the earthquake zone in the administrative records, works in a province in the earthquake zone, or is registered in a province in the earthquake zone. While not included in this data query, our citizens affected by the 338 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS earthquake can also register themselves with İŞKUR as “affected by the disaster” with the report they will receive from AFAD stating that they were affected by the disaster. In addition, open job requests for the target audience were received by contacting institutions and organizations such as employers, employer representatives, chambers of industry and commerce, organized indust- rial zones, and Technocity managements. Other measures taken to eliminate the effects of the earthquakes on work life are as follows: • In regions outside the earthquake zone, efforts were carried out to ensure that our citizens who were affected by the earthquake and transferred to other provinces could be prioritized in benefiting from the Community Benefit Programs. • In the provinces affected by the earthquake, efforts were carried out to bring Unemployment Benefits and Short-Term Working Allowan- ce payments forward, as February payments were made on February 15, 2023, March payments were made on March 21, 2023 and April payments were made on April 19, 2023. • According to the Unemployment Insurance Law, 30% of the previ- ous year’s premium income can be used to take measures to protect and increase employment. This rate was increased to 50% with the Presidential Decree. • The urgent needs of the Ministry of National Education, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Family and Social Services, and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism were met immediately and the Community Benefit Programs implemented in the earthquake regi- on were extended by amending the Regulation in order to meet the transition needs of certain public institutions that had difficulties in the process of revising Community Benefit Programs, and introduce flexibility in the participation conditions due to the unpredictable effects of the earthquake. • Comprehensive research was carried out by İŞKUR in order to reveal the effects of earthquakes on the labor market, strengthen the susta- inability of regional employment, and guide the steps to be taken in this direction. Accordingly, the needs of employers and job seekers in the earthquake-affected provinces of Adana, Adıyaman, Diyarba- TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 339 kır, Elazığ, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Kilis, Malatya, Osma- niye and Şanlıurfa were researched in depth, and the findings were supported by conducting qualitative interviews in the five provinces most affected by the earthquake. Various projects were carried out in order to reduce the impact of the disaster on employment and ensure the continuity of social life. One of these projects was the Transformation of the Old District Bus Terminal for Earthquake-Stricken Women Employees Project (Ensuring Conti- nuity of Production), which was granted resource support by the Kara- cadağ Development Agency within the scope of the BOTAP Project in order to regain the production and employment capacity lost due to the earthquakes. Conveniences Provided for Qualified and Documented Workforce In order to eliminate the employment problems brought along by the earthquakes, the needs of the organizations were determined by contac- ting the certification bodies authorized by the Vocational Qualifications Authority within the framework of vocational qualification efforts. In line with the requests received, it was decided that the payment periods and inspections of the dues payable to the certification bodies authori- zed by the Board of Directors of the Vocational Qualifications Authority would be postponed, reprinting costs would be covered from the budget of the relevant institution in case the documents need to be reprinted due to reasons such as the Vocational Qualification Certificates not be- ing submitted to the authorized certification bodies or changes in the signatory information in the printed documents due to losses, and the authorized certification bodies whose headquarters were destroyed or damaged or whose personnel died or were injured would be given time to eliminate their physical deficiencies and meet their staffing needs. Additionally, a decision was made to extend the document validity and exam validity periods of citizens taking the exam in the earthquake zone or were entitled to receive a certificate. In addition to these efforts, seven universities in the region were inclu- ded in the Turkish Qualifications Framework with 37 programs in line with the supports for the qualifications of the universities in the disaster area to be included in the Turkish Qualifications Framework. In additi- on, improvement activities for authorized certification bodies operating in the region are ongoing and necessary measures have been taken to 340 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS ensure that the people of the region have uninterrupted access to exami- nation and certification activities. Occupational Health and Safety Activities In order to safely remove the massive amounts of debris that emerged in the disaster area after the earthquake and eliminate health risks, neces- sary precautions were taken against asbestos exposure by the General Directorate of Occupational Health and Safety of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, espe- cially with local governments, the Ministry of Environment, Urbaniza- tion and Climate Change, the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye (TBB), and AFAD. Accordingly, the relevant parties, especially those in the earthquake zone, are being trained on asbestos awareness in collaboration with the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye. In addition, personal protective equ- ipment such as FFP3 masks, Type 5-6 protective coveralls, protective gloves and work shoes were provided to the staff working in debris re- moval and waste disposal. Moreover, technical meetings were held with the relevant parties in or- der to minimize the asbestos exposure that may occur during debris re- moval, demolition and waste disposal works with technical measures such as dust suppression methods and wet dismantling. In order to determine the asbestos exposure during debris removal and demolition works, samples were taken and analyzed in regular intervals at different points, and the results were found to be below the legal limit of exposu- re. These efforts are still being carried out with the relevant parties. Other Aids and Supports Economic challenges occurring after the earthquake increase protection risks, restrict access to services, and cause people to resort to unhealthy coping methods. In this context, the Red Crescent plans to provide cash support to people in order to reduce or eliminate protection risks such as child labor, child marriage, and inability to access services arising due to economic problems. Under the coordination of the Ministry of Interior, the ESEN CARD Sys- tem was introduced in collaboration with AFAD and the Red Crescent for the disaster victims in container cities. ESEN CARD is a debit card that can be used to deposit up to TRY 3,000 per month, and allows you TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 341 to shop for food or other items in grocery stores. In this system, TRY 3,000 was loa- ded into the card in 2023 and TRY 4,500 is planned to be loaded as of January 2024. The distribution of ESEN CARDS started on August 15. As of January 19, 2024, a to- tal of 67,235 cards were distributed in 11 provinces in the earthquake zone. A total of TRY 706,767,000 was loaded within five months. Also, in order to realize the reconstruction of heavily damaged buildings and improve- ment activities for the normalization of the lives of disaster-stricken families, General Life Impact Decision was taken for Adana, Adıyaman, Diyarbakır, Gaziantep, Elazığ, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Malatya, Osmani- ye, Şanlıurfa, Kilis, Sivas, Bingöl, Kayseri, Mardin, Tunceli, Niğde and Batman. In addition, according to AFAD data, within the scope of temporary shelter for earthqu- ake-affected families, as of January 2024, a rental assistance of TRY 7,500 was provided to 160,102 homeowners (TRY 8,405,331,500 in total) and TRY 5,000 to 188,977 tenants (TRY 6,047,277,000 in total). The total amount is TRY 14,452,608,500 to 349,079 households, A Support Payment of TRY 10,000 was made to 1,978,459 households (TRY 19,784,590,000 in total), Relocati- on Assistance of TRY 15,000 was made to 557,352 households (TRY 8,360,280,000 in total) and a payment of TRY 100,000 each was made to the relatives of 41,004 decea- sed citizens. The total amount of payment is TRY 4,100,400,000. 342 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS 5.9. Steps to Support Industry TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 343 Multidimensional efforts were carried out with the main goal of revital- izing the economy in the cities that are considered disaster areas due to the earthquakes that occurred on February 6, and enabling them to regain their production and competitiveness. These efforts were based on four pillars; investment incentives, organized industrial zones, SMEs and regional contribution projects. The “Regulation on Industrial Areas and Industrial Workplaces in Di- saster Areas” issued by the Ministry of Industry and Technology came into force after being published in the Official Gazette dated December 30, 2023. The Regulation set out the procedures and principles regarding the identification and planning of locations that could be industrial ar- eas in the provinces that are considered disaster areas due to the earth- quakes that occurred on February 6, and the workplaces to be built or strengthened on-site, as well as the conditions and exemptions required for the applications to be made to these places. Accordingly, the locations in these areas that can potentially become in- dustrial areas as of the disaster area declaration date, excluding areas considered forests, will be determined by the Ministry taking into ac- count criteria such as distance to the fault line, suitability of the ground, flood situation, and proximity to the settlement center. Areas may also be suggested by the relevant governorship, municipality, organized in- dustrial zone (OIZ), industrial zones (IZs) or industrial site (IS) building cooperative. Digital maps, satellite images and characteristics of the rel- evant area will be submitted to the Ministry, and survey studies will be started for the areas deemed suitable. Minister Kacır met with industrialists in Malatya 344 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Mehmet Fatih Kacır, Minister of Industry and Technology, inspected a glass factory and consulted the authorities in the organized industri- al zone in Malatya, which was affected by the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş. Three regions with an area of 192 hectares were declared industrial areas by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Belen Industrial Area, Iskenderun Industrial Area and Kırıkhan Roketsan Industrial Area will strengthen production by opening their doors to industrialists in the coming years. Roketsan, one of the leading companies in the defense industry and the driving force of Türkiye’s National Technology Initiative, will create a significant employment potential in the city with its production facili- ties. In order to transform the destroyed or severely-damaged businesses on-site, an initial tender for the construction of 95 workplaces will be held in the Small Industrial Area in Central Antakya at a cost of approxi- mately TRY 400 million. The four industrial sites in progress that are in- cluded in the investment program will be completed as soon as possible, and 379 new workplaces will be provided to the city. The total project amount for these four industrial sites alone will be TRY 4,300,000,000 Minister Kacır visited the industrial site built for earthquake-affected tradesmen in Malatya TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 345 Minister of Industry and Technology Kacır is in Hatay Minister of Industry and Technology Kacır is in Gaziantep 346 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Investment Support Within the Scope of the Attraction Centers Program: Investments in the provinces and districts affected by the February 6 earthquakes were also evaluated within the scope of the Attraction Centers Program. The support program aims to support investments aimed at increasing employment, production and exports and reducing inter-regional development differences by revitalizing the investment environment in relatively underdeveloped regions. The following incen- tives will be provided to investments deemed appropriate as a result of the evaluation. 6th Region incentives within the scope of Investment Incentive Cer- tificate: • VAT Exemption • Customs Duty Exemption • Tax Deduction • Social Security Premium Support for Employer’s Share • Social Security Premium Support • Interest/Dividend Support • Investment Location Allocation • Income Tax Withholding Support • Other Incentives Provided for Investments with Incentive Certifi- cates Business Development Support Program: Disaster Assistance for Living Spaces: Container support for shelter pur- poses is provided to the businesses located in the earthquake zone upon obtaining the necessary permissions from the relevant OIZ or SIA. Sup- port is provided for a maximum of 10 new containers with a minimum size of 3X7. The upper limit for the total support amount is TRY 300,000, with TRY 300,000 per container. Disaster assistance for businesses: Within the scope of disaster assistance for businesses, the procurement expenses related to maintenance, renovation and repair works, staff ex- penses and expenses of raw materials, materials, equipment, hardware, etc. required for the activities of the businesses are supported 100%, and are repayable against security. The upper limit for the support amount is TRY 75,000. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 347 Disaster assistance for project and construction costs: Within the scope of disaster assistance for project and construction costs, the project and construction costs of the workplaces to be built on-site and construction costs of the workplaces under construction are supported 100%, and are repayable against security. The upper limit for the support amount is TRY 1 million. KOSGEB Earthquake Zone Supports Applications to KOSGEB for support in the earthquake zone Türkiye Post-Earthquake Support Program for the Revitalization of Micro-, Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises Using international funds, KOSGEB launched a project that will econom- ically revitalize the businesses affected by the earthquakes that occurred on February 6, 2023. This project is called the “Türkiye Post-Earthquake Support Program for the Revitalization of Micro-, Small- and Medi- um-Sized Enterprises.” The project aims to improve the operations of SMEs and ensure business continuity in the regions affected by the earthquakes. The project is financed by the World Bank, and carried out by KOSGEB. As a result of the collaboration with the World Bank, a re- source of USD 450 million was made available to businesses. The proj- ect covers the years 2023-2025, and is available to the businesses that were affected by the earthquakes or lost at least 30% of their income in Adıyaman, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Malatya, Nurdağı and İslahiye, where the destruction caused by the earthquakes is most visible, and to the businesses that were affected by the earthquakes in Adana, Di- yarbakır, Elazığ, Kilis, Osmaniye, Şanlıurfa and Gaziantep (excluding the Nurdağı and İslahiye districts). Businesses that meet the conditions ben- efit from support ranging from TRY 200,000 to TRY 750,000 depending 348 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS on the level of damage, the province they are located in, and the size of the business. During the support period, businesses are asked to con- tinue their operations in the province where they operated before the earthquakes. Businesses established before January 1, 2023 can apply for support. Businesses that want to benefit from the support are only asked to provide a loan commitment and paperwork documenting their damage status. This 6-month support requires no repayment for the first 24 months. Businesses will make their repayments in three installments over the next 12 months. The repayments will be interest-free. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 349 A statement regarding the support program was made by our President on October 31, 2023. The project was shared with the public, and appli- cations were opened on the same day. Payments within the scope of the support program started on November 15, 2023. As of December 15, 2023, a total of 73,450 applications have been received for the program. A total of TRY 11.78 billion was paid in support to 36,445 businesses. Program applications and payments are still ongoing. Emergency Support Loan for Earthquake-Stricken SMEs Fast financing opportunities of up to TRY 1.5 million were provided de- pending on the scale of the enterprises located in the 11 provinces af- fected by the earthquakes. KOSGEB Emergency Support Loan Program, which was launched with the goal of enabling SMEs to resume their op- erations, was provided for SMEs carrying out manufacturing activities, supplying manufacturing components, and performing repairs related to manufacturing, businesses engaging in architectural activities, and tradesmen and businesses settled in container bazaars. Earthquake-af- fected SMEs located in small industrial areas (SIAs), organized indus- trial zones (OIZs) or workplace clusters outside these locations have benefited from the Emergency Support Program. Micro enterprises used loans of up to TRY 250,000 small-sized enterprises used loans of up to TRY 500,000 and medium-sized enterprises used loans of up to TRY 1 million. These limits were increased by 50 percent for businesses with severe or greater damage. This means that a severely-damaged medi- um-sized enterprise can get a loan of up to TRY 1.5 million. Business- es benefiting from the Emergency Support Loan, which was launched to quickly revitalize the economic and social life in the region, will not make any repayments for the first 12 months. Businesses will make their repayments in quarterly installments over the next 24 months. The re- payments will be interest-free, as all interests are covered by KOSGEB. A total loan volume of 2.37 billion was created for 6,924 businesses within the scope of the 2023 Earthquake Emergency Support Loan. Disaster Assistances for Businesses and Living Spaces In order to meet the temporary shelter needs of earthquake victims, a support of TRY 300,000 was provided to the SMEs and industrial tradesmen in earthquake zones for up to 10 containers (TRY 30,000 per container) with the Disaster Assistance for Living Spaces. Within the scope of the Disaster Assistance for Living Spaces, a support of TRY 9.5 350 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS million was provided to 68 businesses in 2023. Repayable support of up to TRY 75,000 was provided to the SMEs operating in the manufacturing sector in the earthquake zone in order to contribute to their expenses such as maintenance, renovation, repair, staff, raw materials, materials, equipment and hardware. The support was provided to the businesses that obtained documents from official authorities regarding workplace damage, operating in the temporary bazaar areas established after the earthquake, industrial sites, or in the Section C - manufacturing sector according to NACE Rev. 2. Repayments within the scope of the support program will be made in 6 equal installments in four-month periods, with a grace period of 12 months starting from the completion date of the program. The repayment date of the first installment will be the first business day following the 12-month period following the program com- pletion date. Within the scope of the Disaster Assistance for Businesses, a support of TRY 89.4 million was provided to 1,340 businesses in 2023. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 351 Cancellation and Postponement of the Debts of the SMEs in the Earthquake Zone The 2023 debts of all businesses in the earthquake zone to KOSGEB and the debts of the business owners who lost their lives in the disaster were written off. In six provinces affected by the earthquake, TRY 2,5 million in debts repayable of 29 businesses were postponed (Adana, Adıyaman, Diyarbakır, Hatay, Malatya and Şanlıurfa), and TRY 11 million in debts of 347 businesses were written off in 11 provinces. Incremental Entrepreneurship Support In order for businesses in the earthquake zone to quickly return to their activities, entrepreneurship support limits were increased specifically for the earthquake zone. The supports are provided to businesses whose workplaces were determined by official institutions to be severely dam- aged, in need of urgent demolition or completely destroyed. These busi- nesses are supported within the scope of the Traditional Entrepreneur Support Program and the Advanced Entrepreneur Support Program, re- gardless of whether they have previously benefited from KOSGEB sup- ports. TRY 130,000 for Traditional Entrepreneurs Within the scope of the Traditional Entrepreneur Support Program, non-repayable support of up to TRY 130,000 is provided to entrepreneurs establishing their businesses. Businesses can benefit from a support of TRY 100,000 for employment, TRY 20,000 for establishment expenses, and TRY 10,000 for certifications of the entrepreneur or the staff. TRY 750,000 for Advanced Entrepreneurs Within the scope of the Advanced Entrepreneur Support Program, non-repayable support of up to TRY 750,000 in total is provided to en- trepreneurs establishing their businesses. Businesses can benefit from a support of TRY 600,000 for machinery-equipment and software ex- penses, TRY 100,000 for employment, TRY 20,000 for mentoring, con- sultancy and business coaching, TRY 20,000 for establishment expens- es, and TRY 10,000 for certifications of the entrepreneur or the staff. To date, a support of TRY 13.75 million has been provided to 512 businesses within the scope of the program. 352 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Empowering the Private Sector to Foster Social and Economic Cohesion in Türkiye Project and SME Financing Support Program with Employment Commitment For applicants from the provinces of Adana, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kahra- manmaraş, Kilis, and Şanlıurfa: • The necessity for businesses to hire new personnel has been elimi- nated. • The prerequisite for the enterprise to maintain more than one-third of the total SSI premium days in the last 12 months before the call for proposals announcement date has been removed. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 353 • The stipulation that the number of premium days in the SSI records must be at least 80 days for personnel under employment commit- ment has been amended to 40 days. • In case of a change in personnel under employment commitment, the requirement that the sum of premium days for both the changed and replaced personnel during the relevant monitoring period be at least 80 days has been revised to 40 days. • Additionally, the program now introduces new flexibility for SMEs facing challenges in meeting employment commitments due to de- lays in completing work permit processes during the initial moni- toring period. According to the revision, SMEs with a gap of more than 30 days between the work permit application date and approv- al date in the first monitoring period will be considered to have ful- filled their employment commitment, provided they document this situation and enter insurance after obtaining the work permit for the person under employment commitment. The support amount will be calculated based on the number of paid premium days. In the provinces of Adana, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Kilis, and Şanlıurfa: The number of businesses approved for support under the FRIT II SME Support Program with Employment Commitment: 947 The total allocated budget is EUR 45.52 million, with EUR 28.61 million allocated specifically to the earthquake zone. Evaluation processes were completed as of August 1, 2023, and the sup- port process commenced. Furthermore, the “Formal Employment Creation Project for Türkiye” in collaboration with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Coopera- tion and Development (BMZ), and the project “Empowering the Private Sector to Foster Social and Economic Cohesion in Türkiye” funded by the European Union (EU) with the German Development Bank (KfW) as the program manager have been implemented in 10 earthquake-affected provinces (Adana, Adıyaman, Diyarbakır, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kahraman- maraş, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye, and Şanlıurfa). Non-repayable support is provided, covering up to 60% of the interest expenses for working cap- ital loans obtained by SMEs from banks within the scope of the SME Financing Support Program with Employment Commitment to ensure employment continuity. As part of the program, 413 businesses in these 354 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS provinces borrowed TRY 672.84 million between 01.07.2022 - 15.12.2023 and in relation to the loans taken by these businesses, TRY 40 million in interest / profit share support payment was realized. Rapid Support Program for Micro and Small Enterprises The support processes for the businesses that benefited from the Rap- id Support Program for Micro and Small Businesses in the provinces of Adıyaman, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş and Malatya and the districts of Nurdağı and İslahiye in Gaziantep were put on hold without affecting their rights. No sanctions were applied in the four provinces and two dis- tricts that suffered the most from the earthquake, considering that the recovery process would take long and the businesses would struggle to create and maintain jobs. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 355 5.10. Agriculture-Friendly Regulations 356 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Damage Assessment After Earthquake The Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes, which were called the di- saster of the century, affected about 14 million people living in an area of 110 thousand square meters across 11 provinces. The initial findings after this catastrophic earthquake showed that the agricultural sector suffered a damage of TRY 24.2 billion. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 357 Personnel and Equipment To coordinate the disaster response in the earthquake zone, three de- puty ministers, seven general managers, eight deputy general managers, one institution head and 46 provincial managers of the Ministry of Agri- culture and Forestry were assigned, and 15,000 staff of the Ministry wor- ked in the field with 5,000 machines and equipment. 358 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Emergency Response Efforts for the Livestock Sector • Efforts were launched to save animals trapped under the debris in the disaster area, and to bury the dead animals to avoid the outbre- ak of infectious diseases. After the ruined barns were located, 10,848 animal tents/shelters were sent and distributed to the region for the animals whose shelters were damaged. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 359 • To meet the feed needs of the farmers in the disaster area, 16,000 tonnes of animal feed, including 1,520 tonnes of concentrated feed, were delivered and distributed to the region. 360 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS • Vaccine production and supply were maintained regularly and plan- ned vaccinations went on. Additionally, 144,025 boxes of medicines donated by 18 companies in the veterinary medicine sector for the earthquake zone were transported to the region and their proper use was ensured. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 361 • In coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Tur- kish Veterinary Medical Association and AFAD, 47 tonnes of animal food supplied by the regional directorates of Nature Conservation and National Parks were distributed for the care and feeding of stray animals impacted by the earthquake. 362 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS • Animals whose breeders had trouble with their care, feeding and shelter in the disaster area were moved to the Konuklar Enterprise in Konya upon their requests. • The unclaimed animals and animals without the possibility of being taken under care of our producers affected by the earthquake, were taken from their neighborhoods through the Meat and Milk Institu- tion; 905 cattle and 3,378 sheep and goats were sent to slaughter with the vehicles of the institution. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 363 • Unions and farmers were coordinated to ensure that young calves and heifers for slaughter and cows, sheep and goats for delivery were sold to other farmers or breeders first. The raw milk of the farmers in the earthquake zone was directed to producer organizations and the private sector through the Meat and Milk Institution, 73,879 tonnes of milk were collected from the dairy businesses and farmers in the region and turned into production. 364 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Coordination and Control of Food Supply • The Turkish Grain Board sent 3,786 tonnes of flour, 1,435 tonnes of rice, 1,453 tonnes of red lentils, 1,510 tonnes of sunflower oil, 700 tonnes of roasted hazelnuts, 156 tonnes of hazelnut cream, 982 ton- nes of raisins, 450 tonnes of grape molasses and 20 tonnes of ha- zelnut paste to the region for AFAD to distribute. The Red Crescent also received 75 tonnes of flour for distribution. • Flour supply was coordinated for the bread makers of the provinces in the disaster zone and nearby provinces that supplied bread to the- se regions, especially the public bread factories. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 365 • Flour, pasta, bulgur and pulses-related businesses, federations and associations were guided to the earthquake zone and 12,000 tonnes of flour, 520,000 loaves of bread and 228 tonnes of bulgur and pasta were delivered to the region. • 126 tonnes of meat and meat products, eight tons of milk and dairy products and 8,344 tonnes of food were sent to the provinces hit by the earthquake. 366 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS • Eight refrigerated trucks and distribution vehicles were dispatched to the region to be used for logistic purposes. • Water tanks with a total capacity of 50,000 liters were sent to AFAD to meet the water needs of the region. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 367 • Meat and meat products from small cattle and cattle given to the Meat and Milk Institution by citizens for the earthquake zone were delivered to the region. • As part of food inspections, 28,432 food checks were carried out with 936 expert staff in the disaster area. 368 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS • In the earthquake-affected provinces, 334 officers from the Forest Search and Rescue Team (ORKUT) and 3,948 technical and admi- nistrative personnel within OGM were assigned to distribute food, materials, and firewood. Approximately 70,000 tonnes of firewood were distributed to the earthquake victims. Dams and Drinking Water • A total of nearly 40 wells were drilled in various provinces within the disaster area, providing a water flow of 600 liters per second. Furthermore, the inspection of existing wells has been successfully completed. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 369 • Pipelines and pumping stations damaged due to earthquakes and flo- ods have been repaired and reinforced, resulting in the water supply potential reaching 100 percent for many areas in our provinces. 370 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS • The condition of dams in the disaster area has been meticulously monitored from the onset. Dams, ponds, rainfall basins, and trans- mission lines were monitored using methods developed by engine- ers at DSİ (State Hydraulic Works). Following the inspections, no situations requiring urgent intervention were identified, and neces- sary precautions were taken meticulously. • Dams where cracks were detected in the crest were continuously mo- nitored for repair and precautionary purposes. The Asi River, where excessive water rise was detected, was intervened and neighboring settlements were prevented from being affected. Agricultural Support Efforts • As of January 2024, 5,804 cattle, 43,317 sheep and goats, 549,000 poultry and 26,318 beehives with a total value of TRY 909 million were distributed to breeders in the earthquake zone. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 371 • A sum of TRY 1.837 billion was disbursed to 198,078 enterprises in 11 provinces, inclusive of TRY 1.364 billion for feed support (TRY 500 for cattle and TRY 50 for sheep and goats) and TRY 473.136 million for other livestock support to 113,797 breeders. • By amending the Farmer Registration System Regulation, the appli- cation period for the 2023 production year was extended. Approxi- mately 300,000 farmers in 11 provinces within the earthquake zone and 2.195 million farmers throughout Türkiye benefited from this adjustment. 372 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS • The application deadlines for Organic Agriculture Support, Good Agricultural Practices Support, Soil Analysis Support, and Oilseed Crops Differential Payment Support have been extended in provin- ces declared as disaster areas. • Within the framework of the program supporting rural development investments, the application periods for Grant Support for Economic Investments Based on Agriculture and Support for Individual Irriga- tion Systems have been extended by three months. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 373 • The repayment of subsidized loan debts owed by earthquake-affec- ted farmers to Ziraat Bank and Agricultural Credit Cooperatives was extended by one year. • The requirement for 4 kilograms of nutritional sugar per hive, ser- ving 1.483 million hives owned by 12,000 beekeepers across 11 pro- vinces, was fulfilled. 374 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS • The TRY 11.3 million ORKÖY (Department of Forestry and Rural Re- lations) loan debts, covering 3,000 forest villagers and agricultural development cooperatives in the provinces declared disaster areas for the period between February 6 and July 31, 2023, were delayed until December 31, 2023, with no interest applied. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 375 • In 11 provinces, cash payments for diesel and fertilizer support were provided, easing the financial burden for farmers’ needs. On Febru- ary 24, 2023, a support payment of TRY 2.862 billion was transferred to the accounts of 301,472 farmers in the disaster area. Additionally, the DSİ distributed 5.5 million liters of fuel in the earthquake zone. 376 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS 5.11. Culture and Arts Projects TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 377 Identifications of more than 8,500 registered cultural assets in the 11 provinces affected by the earthquake were entered into the EVOS inven- tory and damage assessment system. The adjustments implemented in this system facilitated the establishment of a swift and effective system in the event of other potential disasters. The “Cultural Heritage Scientific Advisory Board” was established, pro- viding recommendations on legal and administrative processes, stra- tegic planning, damage assessment, debris removal, and area improve- ment in the center of the Antakya district of Hatay province. This area houses an urban archaeological site where various religious buildings and examples of monumental and civil architecture intertwine. In the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, “Reducing Disaster Risks in Ser- vice Buildings” efforts have been initiated within the Investment Prog- ram. Earthquake resistance analyses, simple repair works, and retrofit- ting project preparation works are underway in the service buildings of the Ministry. As part of the “Emergency Response Projects and Applications of Cul- tural Heritage and Museums in the Earthquake Zone,” ongoing efforts include simple repair and/or restoration works to eliminate damage in buildings belonging to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, which were affected by the earthquake. Additionally, post-earthquake cultural deb- ris separation and support for registered buildings in Antakya are ongo- ing. 378 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Geophysical, georadar and archaeophysical studies are conducted in Hatay for the scientific exploration and identification of movable and immovable cultural assets that require protection in Grade III Archae- ological Protected Areas and Urban Protected Areas, including disas- ter-prone areas, as well as in risky areas declared or to be declared by the President’s decision. Along with these studies, excavation works are also carried out under the scientific supervision of Assoc. Prof. Yavuz YEĞİN from Ardahan University, with the leadership of Hatay Museum Directorate. These works are primarily done in areas without ownership issues. Pre-Earthquake Situation in the Region As of 2022, there were about 8,500 works in the cultural heritage cate- gory in the earthquake zone, the details of which are shown in the table. 844 of these are foundation assets under the care of the Directorate Ge- neral of Foundations, and most of them are religious buildings. The Di- rectorate General of Foundations has six service buildings in the region. Moreover, there are 28 museums and 22 ruins affiliated to the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 379 Cultural Assets in Provinces Affected by the Earthquake A total of 153 libraries, including 11 provincial public libraries, 127 district public libraries, four specialized libraries and 11 children’s libraries affi- liated with the Ministry, serve in the region with 693 staff. The number of buildings serving as cultural centers in the region is 14. There are 11 provincial culture and tourism directorates in the region. These operate in different locations such as the YİKOB building, cultural center, gover- nor’s office and rented buildings. A total of 219 movie theaters are in service with 38 in Gaziantep, 36 in Hatay, 35 in Diyarbakır, 31 in Adana, 23 in Şanlıurfa, 20 in Malatya, 12 in Kahramanmaraş, eight in Adıyaman, seven in Osmaniye, five in Elazığ and four in Kilis. Damage Caused by Earthquake Cultural Heritage and Foundation Assets In 11 provinces affected by the earthquake, damage assessment works are ongoing with more than 100 staff under the coordination of the Dire- ctorates of Survey and Monuments. As of 25.02.2023, 2,863 of 8,444 as- sets in the cultural heritage category were inspected. Of these structures, 169 were destroyed, 535 were severely damaged, 390 were moderately damaged, 721 were lightly damaged and 1,048 were intact. Hatay, Elbis- tan, Adıyaman and Malatya museums suffered partial damage. Howe- ver, museums that opened in the last decade, such as the Hatay Archa-  Province Protected streets Monuments and Memorials Administrative Buildings Cultural Buildings Martyrs’ Cemeteries Military Buildings Industrial and Commercial Buildings Religious buildings Cemeteries Sample of civil architecture Ruins Province total Adana 3 1 54 143 5 39 85 75 56 320 95 876 Adıyaman - 2 2 46 - 6 7 54 14 8 25 164 Diyarbakır - - 70 261 3 11 4 153 90 606 22 1,220 Elazığ - 1 36 89 1 5 - 72 22 80 9 315 Gaziantep - 4 36 95 - 6 22 77 36 797 8 1,081 Hatay 2 3 50 144 3 16 53 114 85 576 62 1,108 Kahramanmaraş - 9 5 58 1 25 41 46 32 327 17 561 Kilis - 2 5 28 - 5 13 35 4 356 4 452 Malatya - 4 23 119 2 5 14 99 35 454 10 765 Osmaniye - 1 13 24 3 8 1 19 25 45 26 165 Şanlıurfa 14 1 26 155 2 7 13 120 74 1301 24 1,737 Regional Total 19 28 320 1,162 20 133 253 864 473 4,870 302 8,444 380 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS eology, the Şanlıurfa Edessa Archeology and the Haleplibahçe Mosaic Museum, and the Gaziantep Zeugma Museum, which house large and important works, had no major damage. The Adıyaman Museum is an old building, but it only had minor damage. In the initial damage assess- ment studies done in museum directorates in the region, a total of 90 ar- tifacts were found to be damaged. None of the damaged artifacts belong to the “unique” category. Damage assessment studies are ongoing for the artifacts displayed and stored in the Hatay Museum Directorate collecti- on. Although the ancient city and ruins were not significantly damaged, the conservation and landscaping works done in the Arslantepe Mound (Malatya), which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, were seriously damaged. Even though analyses are ongoing, the damage to the cultural heritage and museums under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism is estimated to be around TRY 1 billion. Mosques and similar structures among foundation assets were greatly damaged. Buildings with high historical and symbolic value, such as the Grand Mosque in Adıyaman, the New Mosque in Malatya, the Ha- bibi Neccar Mosque in Hatay, the newly built mosque and its annexes in Nurdağı Ökkeşiye area, were totally destroyed. Most of the historical mosques in Adıyaman, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Gaziantep and Malat- ya that were not destroyed have heavy or moderate damage and cannot serve without extensive repair and restoration. In addition, the minaret of most of the cultural heritage and newly built mosques, whose main structure is undamaged or lightly damaged, has collapsed. The total re- pair and restoration cost of foundation works is estimated to be TRY 8.2 billion. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 381 Librarianship Services and Cultural Centers Among the 153 library buildings serving in the region, 52 remain unda- maged, while the others exhibit varying levels of damage, as outlined in the table below. However, buildings that were recently constructed or retrofitted show minimal damage. Given the insufficient state of libraries before the earthquake, there is a need to increase their capacities during the reconstruction process of collapsed and heavily damaged buildings. This is particularly important since the majority of library users are children and young people. Over 21 percent of children in the 0-17 age group and 17 percent of young pe- ople in the 18-24 age group in our country reside in the region. The table below outlines the cost of reconstruction and repair, calculated based on the existing capacity and the cost according to the new required capa- city. Accordingly, it has been determined that a total of TRY 705 million is required to repair damaged buildings and create new capacity. Damage Assessment Status for Libraries in Provinces Affected by the Earthquake   Number Total Indoor Space (m2) Total Cost Based on Available Indoor Space (TRY) (1) New Indoor Space Needed (m2) Total Cost of New Indoor Space (TRY) Collapsed 6 1,638 32,760,000 7,600 152,000,000 Severely Damaged 10 4,934 98,680,000 23,000 460,000,000 Moderately Damaged 4 3,045 18,270,000 Slightly Damaged 28 29,887 59,774,000 In Need of Renovation 53 15,049 15,049,000 Undamaged 52 22,821 0 Total 153 77,374 224,533,000 30,600 612,000,000 Grand Total (2) 705,093,000 (1) Unit costs per square meter were calculated at TRY 20,000 for reconstruction, TRY 6,000 for medium damage, TRY 2,000 for minor damage, and TRY 1,000 for renova- tion. (2) This sum includes the cost of new closed area needs and the cost of buildin- gs with moderate or lower damage status. 382 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Based on current assessments, the Hatay Cultural Center, deemed uns- table after the earthquake and evacuated in 2020, has been confirmed as destroyed. Seven cultural centers sustained slight damage, and six cultural centers remain undamaged. Among the service buildings of the provincial culture and tourism directorates in the region, one is destro- yed, two are heavily damaged, six are slightly damaged, and two remain undamaged. Of the four existing music community directorate buildin- gs, two are undamaged, and the other two sustained slight damage. The earthquake caused damage to numerous places of worship and related service buildings in 11 provinces. In the region, there are 120 mufti offi- ces, 80 youth centers, 2,687 Quran courses, and 11,776 mosques affilia- ted with the Presidency of Religious Affairs. Preliminary findings indi- cate that 28.3 percent of the mufti’s office buildings, 19.1 percent of the mosques, and 16.5 percent of the Quran courses in the region were either destroyed or seriously damaged. It was determined that three of the Ale- vi-Bektashi Cultural Association and Cemevi buildings were destroyed, and three were seriously damaged. Furthermore, damage assessment studies are ongoing in historical places of worship that belong to other religious communities in the region. The estimated total reconstruction cost for all these collapsed, heavily damaged, and moderately damaged structures is TRY 24.1 billion. Steps Taken After the Earthquake Humanitarian aid activities were handled on a participation basis. With the establishment of tent cities and container cities, 36 mobile library vehicles and approximately 150 personnel were dispatched to the regi- on from other provinces. Some of these vehicles conducted various ac- tivities for children, including cinema screenings, painting, games, and provided moral support and motivation with entertaining, educational, and instructive materials, traveling both among tent cities and in villa- ges and towns. Additionally, psychosocial support and education tents from institutions such as the MoNE and the MoFSS were set up around the mobile libraries in the tent cities. Centers offering cultural and social services were formed within the tent cities. Through cooperation and joint initiatives, efforts were made to alleviate the psychological burden on the people of the region, especially children and youth. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 383 Still standing strong, the Adıyaman Provincial Public Library building was reopened after necessary precautions were taken and the building was cleaned. In collaboration with the MoFSS, the library provides psy- chosocial support to groups of children brought from tent cities through cinevision and cinema shows, drawing and painting activities, as well as physical exercises and sports such as archery in the garden. Moreover, the library is now open for daily use by citizens. Similar activities are planned to be carried out in other cities with intact library buildings. Two truck theaters within the General Directorate of State Theaters were dispatched to the region, and theater plays are being staged in vari- ous cities. Additionally, the General Directorate of State Opera and Ballet is presenting children’s plays. Due to damage to museums in Hatay, El- bistan, Adıyaman, and Malatya, immediate security and protection me- asures were implemented for the artifacts. Security guards and museum personnel were dispatched from nearby museum directorates on a ro- tating basis for this purpose. Furthermore, damage assessment, artifact transportation, and documentation works are currently ongoing. 384 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS To protect museum collections from theft, loss or looting, and to keep existing security measures, closed-circuit camera and alarm systems are made to work continuously. Since the Hatay Regional Conservation Board Directorate building was severely damaged, it was decided that the works and procedures under Law No. 2863 in Hatay and Osmaniye would be done by the Adana Regional Conservation Board Directorate for one year. During the debris works by the MoEUCC, the registered cultural assets were marked and signed to avoid confusion with the new buildings and accidental interference with the cultural assets. In all re- gistered areas, the Police and Gendarmerie units work actively to stop illegal excavations and illegal cultural property trade by patrolling regu- larly in their areas of responsibility. Long Term Improvement Efforts In efforts to eliminate the damage caused by the earthquake, the main objectives are to ensure the return of the population that preserves the authentic culture to their homes, to restore the historical-cultural fabric in a holistic way and to maintain the relationship between old urban are- as where the historical fabric is and the new urban settlements. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 385 Moreover, new urban settlements will have cultural infrastructure ele- ments such as libraries, museums, cultural centers and city parks that will facilitate cultural interaction and support the well-being of the so- ciety. New settlements will be redesigned to recall the memory of the city, and cities that will stay in their current location will be redesigned with public buildings of high symbolic and aesthetic value in city squa- res, cultural buildings, city parks and monuments to commemorate the earthquake disaster. Restoration possibilities will be explored using current materials and construction techniques to prevent the historical texture from being damaged again in possible new disasters. For this purpose, the need to make regulations in the legislation and authorized boards will be asses- sed. Needs Analysis The destruction that occurred in Hatay, Adıyaman, Malatya, Kahraman- maraş and districts like Nurdağı, İslahiye, Elbistan, Doğanşehir and Pa- zarcık greatly affected the historical-cultural heritage with high symbo- lic and spiritual value, especially in the city centers. At the same time, places that maintain and reproduce daily culture, such as neighborho- 386 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS ods, streets, bazaars, markets, food and beverage venues and promena- de areas, which are part of the society’s life practices, even though they do not have registered historical building features, also suffered a lot of damage. In addition, a large portion of the city dwellers have moved to different regions. All these factors pose a serious threat to the life culture of cities and their historical-cultural legacy that has been passed down for centuries. The- refore, urbanization efforts after the earthquake need to be done with an approach that will restore the urban culture at the neighborhood and street level, rebuild the areas where the society’s memories are stored, and protect the historical-cultural heritage from the risk of becoming deserted and collapsing. In this context, considering the opportunities that the crisis offers, designing new city squares with public buildings with high symbolic and aesthetic value; cultural and artistic areas such as libraries and cultural centers; city parks, social interaction areas and monuments that will preserve the memory by making the necessary ar- rangements in the city centers that have been mostly destroyed will help to create a new urban culture. On the other hand, the visibility of the historical texture will increase by holistically restoring the historical-cultural heritage that was trap- ped between random buildings before the earthquake. In this way, it will be possible to create a new city identity and features around new city squares and the restored historical texture. In addition, in cities whose settlements or main axis will change, there is a danger that the historical texture will be isolated, deserted and gradually turn into collapsing are- as, staying outside of daily life. In fact, as a result of the earthquake that happened in Gediz in 1971, a new city was formed by moving the city about 7 km to the south, but the old settlement with many historical heritage elements became an isola- ted town called Eskigediz. Similarly, significant destruction is observed along the Asi River in Hatay, extending from the riverbank to the perip- hery in the city axis. It is anticipated that this particular area will undergo extensive demoli- tion, prompting the city to be relocated towards the slopes. However, the majority of structures embodying Hatay’s cultural heritage, including Uzunçarşı, Habib-i Neccar Mosque, gastronomic cultural areas, old nei- ghborhoods featuring authentic houses with inner courtyards, and hos- TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 387 tel-type clusters showcasing examples of civil architecture, are situated in this region. Therefore, in all relocated settlements, it is imperative to consider the relationship with the old city regions in new city plans to preserve the urban culture. Rather than entirely abandoning constructi- on in these regions, alternatives such as continuing partial construction under stricter conditions should be thoroughly assessed. Additionally, implementing area management models in these regions is deemed beneficial. On the other hand, planning for the revitalizati- on of historical-cultural heritage is advantageous when carried out th- rough scientific advisory boards and commissions. There is a necessity to prepare restoration projects for works in as much detail as possible. Furthermore, opportunities to utilize current materials and constructi- on techniques in restoration and reconstruction applications should be evaluated. Given that several assets, especially those within the scope of the foundation works, suffered extensive damage. It is crucial to review strengthening techniques, particularly to prevent them from being destroyed again in a possible future disaster. In this context, there is a need to assess the necessity of amending Law No. 2863 on the Conservation of Cultural and Natural Property and making new principled decisions in the High Council for the Conservation of Cultural Property. It is apparent that the new urban areas will largely be developed by TOKİ. 388 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS It is stated that the buildings to be constructed will align with local arc- hitecture, generally adopting a horizontal design. However, it is advisab- le to build neighborhoods as they are held in public and urban memory. Additionally, centers in new settlement areas should incorporate cultu- ral spaces with high cultural interaction, such as libraries, theaters, and green areas of appropriate size for the population. These considerations are essential factors in reducing the feeling of alienation in new settle- ments and enhancing the sense of belonging to the city. On the other hand, there is a need to improve the cultural infrastructure and increase the capacity of the existing ones in cities affected by the earthquake, considering the aspect of culture and art that supports the welfare and well-being of the society. In this context, considering that more than 21 percent of children aged 0-17 and 17 percent of young peop- le aged 18-24 in our country live in the region, city and district libraries should be built, extending from city centers to the outskirts. Libraries should be regarded as essential because they offer widespre- ad cultural services and attract all segments of society. In addition, it is useful to build city museums and monuments that will preserve the memory of the city and ensure that the disaster is not forgotten. Other Services Provided in the Earthquake Zone After the earthquake centered in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism conducted damage assessment stu- dies on 678 foundation cultural assets in the provinces in the earthquake zone. As part of the tender activities after the earthquake, 171 assets were tendered and restoration works were started by signing contracts with contractor companies. Tender work for 29 assets is ongoing. The table below shows the number of artifacts tendered and contracted on a provincial basis according to damage status. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 389 Number of Artifacts Tendered and Contracted Number  Province Total Collapse Severe Damage Moderate Damage Slight Damage Total 1 Adana 1 2 1 4 2 Adıyaman 7 7 3 Diyarbakır 2 3 3 7 4 Elazığ 1 1 3 5 Gaziantep 9 6 6 34 6 Hatay 6 26 5 5 46 7 Kahramanmaraş 3 14 5 5 23 8 Kilis 8 2 2 13 9 Malatya 1 5 2 2 10 10 Osmaniye 3 1 1 4 11 Şanlıurfa 3 10 10 20 Total 10 78 36 36 171 General Directorate of Libraries and Publications After the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş, the Ministry of Cul- ture and Tourism set up tent and container libraries to provide library services in tent cities and container cities in the disaster area. To achieve this, we are committed to: Tent Libraries: Kahramanmaraş - 300 m2 Adıyaman - 300 m2 Hatay- 384 m2 Container Libraries: Malatya / 6 units / 42 m2 each Osmaniye / 1 unit / 42 m2 Kahramanmaraş / 7 units / 42 m2 each Hatay / 5 units / 42 m2 each Adıyaman / 5 units / 42 m2 each 390 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS After the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş, a total of TRY 4,188,954 in different items was sent to the Ministry of Culture and Tou- rism units serving in the disaster area, of which TRY 1,645,055 was ma- intenance and repair expenses. Online and face-to-face trainings on post-earthquake psychosocial ap- proach and psychological first aid were provided to the staff of the Gene- ral Directorate of Libraries and Publications who are currently working as volunteers in the earthquake zone. With the cooperation between the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Trendyol, exam preparation books were provided to those in need in the earthquake region. Mobile libraries delivered test and exam preparation books for high school and university preparation groups to approxima- tely 11,000 people. In the earthquake zone, 48 mobile libraries served in 11 provinces. These libraries organized around 45,000 events over the course of five months, which were attended by around 700,000 people. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 391 A total of 450,000 books in approximately 6,000 boxes, collected from donor publishers and the General Directorate of Libraries and Publica- tions, were sent to the earthquake zone and distributed free of charge. Issues Related to Cultural Centers of General Directorate of In- vestments and Enterprises Funds have been sent for minor repairs of the Kilis Alaeddin Yavaşça Cultural Center, Osmaniye Kadirli Prof. Dr. Turan Güven Culture and Art Center, Hatay Erzin Ömer Halisdemir Cultural Center and Hatay Saman- dağ Cultural Center, all of which sustained slight damage among the cul- tural centers in our provinces affected by the earthquake, and works are currently underway. Simple repair initiatives have been launched for the Osmaniye Cebelibe- reket Cultural Center, also slightly damaged. This is based on the grant agreement signed between the Hungarian State and the Osmaniye Pro- vincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism. Following the earthquake performance analysis conducted by the Sa- bancı Foundation for the Adana Hacı Ömer Sabancı Cultural Center bu- ilding, which sustained minor damage, it was determined that the buil- ding was not earthquake-resistant. The process for obtaining permits and approvals has been initiated to evacuate the building. Issues Related to Tourism Facilities Since the onset of the earthquakes, coordinated efforts with provincial culture and tourism directorates have been underway to assess the da- mage status of tourism facilities. Furthermore, with Circular No. 2023/2 dated 15.02.2023, it was decided that in provinces where a state of emergency was declared after the eart- hquake disaster (Adana, Adıyaman, Diyarbakır, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kah- ramanmaraş, Malatya, Şanlıurfa, Osmaniye, Kilis) for investments and enterprises which were documented or would request documents from Ministry of Culture and Tourism, until 01.01.2024 no application fees, document fees or plaque fees would be charged for all transactions rela- ted to Tourism Investment Certificates and Tourism Enterprise Certifi- cates (including document and plaque renewal); that any time given ba- sed on previous transactions would be postponed; that sanctions such 392 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS as “Warning” and document cancellation, as stipulated in Articles 32 and 34 of Tourism Encouragement Law No.2634, would be postponed; that inspection procedures for facilities located in the aforementioned provinces, excluding requests and complaints, would be postponed and that the investment documents which were already granted would be deemed extended by one year. Issues Regarding Personnel Assignment In response to the earthquake that occurred on 06.02.2023 in Kahra- manmaraş, Malatya, and Adıyaman Provinces, 21 personnel were assig- ned for a 10-day period to engage in the following activities: - Determining tent areas, - Preparing the ground of the identified areas, - Shipping the tents to the region, - Putting up tents, - Setting up the internal units of the tents and providing necessary equipment, - Creating consultation areas in tent locations to address the deman- ds of earthquake victims and coordinate solutions, - Implementing environmental arrangements to ensure security mea- sures are in place, - Unloading and sorting the aid trucks reaching the region and distri- buting the aid to the surrounding villages, - Participating in the Crisis Center and promptly implementing inst- ructions from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, - Coordinating with other Public Institutions and Organizations, es- pecially AFAD and the Red Crescent, to support debris removal and relief efforts. “Will You Hold My Hand (Heritage)” Project The “Will You Hold My Hand (Heritage)” project, implemented to mini- mize the negative effects of the earthquake disaster centered in Kahra- manmaraş, reached out to children affected by the earthquake.  TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 393 Initiated by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the project aims to al- leviate the adverse effects of the earthquake, particularly on children, boost their morale and motivation, and contribute to the normalization process through art. The project’s first destination was Malatya, where folk dances and local music, specially prepared for children by the Ministry’s General Directo- rate of Fine Arts State Folk Dances Community, were interpreted in the narrative play of Karagöz and Hacivat—one of Türkiye’s intangible cul- tural heritage elements. 394 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Children from Malatya had the opportunity to closely explore the Thra- cian, Zeybek, Kırşehir, Ankara, Burdur, and Black Sea folk dances, along with the characteristics of these regions. They followed Karagöz, who, on his Anatolian journey with his old friend Hacivat, encounters Nasred- din Hodja, Çelebi, Tuzsuz Deli Bekir, Persian, and Laz characters in his quest to uncover the heritage left to him. The “Will You Hold My Hand (Heritage)” project, which engaged with children in Gaziantep and Adıyaman on April 17-19 and in Kahraman- maraş, Osmaniye, Hatay, and Adana on May 2-6, has plans to connect with children in various parts of Türkiye following its activities in the earthquake-affected region. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 395 100th Anniversary Libraries Project In the aftermath of the earthquake, over 20,000 schools and educa- tional institutions sustained damage, with more than 300 schools be- ing completely destroyed. Particularly in Kahramanmaraş, where over 10,000 schools were damaged, it is estimated that approximately one year will be needed for their repair. The inability of students to return to their schools, coupled with the damage to educational materials and the psychological impact on teachers, necessitated significant measures to prevent a disruption in education. Nevertheless, the psychological aftermath of the earthquake cannot be underestimated. The negative impact on students’ mental well-being posed challenges for their focus on education. Furthermore, damage to educational materials and equipment had adverse effects on the quality of education. The psychological impact on teachers further complicated the educational process. In the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake, more than 120 libraries in 11 provinces were damaged or destroyed. A majority of these libraries are situated in the provinces of Kahramanmaraş, Gaziantep, and Hatay, which were most severely affected by the earthquake. The urgent need for an environment conducive to student study has been underscored once again. Libraries are essential resources for students to access infor- mation. The damage to libraries after the earthquake created significant challenges in providing resources to students and teachers. Additional- ly, the small size of containers and crowded households have presented difficulties in finding suitable environments for work. Therefore, rebu- ilding libraries and providing books is crucial for the continuity of edu- cation. 396 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Through the project initiated by the Turkish Red Crescent, it is planned to construct a library and provide educational materials to establish en- vironments where students can actively study. Overview of Culture and Arts Efforts The 11 provinces in the earthquake zone boast a rich cultural heritage, including cultural structures, examples of civil architecture, ruins, mo- numents, martyrs’ cemeteries, and protected streets. The region is home to approximately 8,500 artifacts in the cultural heritage category. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism oversees 28 museums and 22 archa- eological sites. Moreover, a total of 153 libraries, including 11 provinci- al public libraries, 127 district public libraries, four specialized libraries and 11 children’s libraries affiliated with the Ministry, serve in the region with 693 staff. The number of buildings serving as cultural centers in the region is 14. There are a total of 219 movie theaters in operation across the 11 provinces affected by the earthquake. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 397 In response to the catastrophic earthquake centered in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023, an allocation of TRY 292,000,000 was granted from the budget of the Central Directorate of Revolving Funds (DÖSİMM), in addition to the general budget. This funding is designated for the resto- ration and reinforcement of museums and cultural assets in the earthqu- ake zone that suffered damage from the onset. Additionally, it is antici- pated that an allocation of 1,500,000,000 TL will be transferred from the DÖSİMM budget in 2024 for works to be done in the earthquake zone. 398 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS 5.12. Support for the Youth and Sports TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 399 After the earthquake disaster centered in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023, accommodation services for earthquake victims commenced in all facilities affiliated with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, particularly in dormitories, youth centers, and sports facilities. In coordination, dor- mitory kitchens in Osmaniye, Hatay, Adıyaman, and Kahramanmaraş were opened to “volunteer chefs,” providing three-course meals to earth- quake-affected citizens. Following the earthquake disaster, numerous sports activities were or- ganized for children and young people staying in tent cities, container cities, and dormitories in the earthquake zone. These activities aimed to harness the rehabilitative power of sports. These initiatives were instru- mental in momentarily alleviating the sorrow of citizens and supporting their return to normal life. In addition to the gathering areas in the region, which were insuffi- cient to meet the needs due to the magnitude of the disaster, facilities and fields belonging to the Ministry of Youth and Sports were opened to earthquake victims due to their safety and horizontal architectural features. These locations served as safe shelter areas during the risky period caused by debris. They played a crucial role as logistics support centers, providing first aid and distributing vital aid for search and res- cue operations and the aftermath. Several projects have been implemented as part of the supportive work carried out in the field of youth and sports since February 6. Projects for the Earthquake Zone “Gönül Mutfağı” Organisation In Osmaniye, Kahramanmaraş, Adıyaman, and Hatay, dormitory kitch- ens under the Ministry of Youth and Sports were transformed into soup kitchens. Through the “Gönül Mutfağı” organization, established with the support of NGOs, voluntary organizations, the public, and private sectors, 33 million plates of food were produced and distributed to earth- quake victims in 16 weeks or 115 days. Additionally, logistics centers dis- tributed not only food but also 22,000 food parcels, 5,000 sleeping bags, over 5,000 blankets, and 490,000 breakfast meals. 400 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 401 Young Hearts-Warm Hands Between March 22, 2023, and April 26, 2023, five one-week periods were designated through the “Gönüllüyüz Biz Platformu” for participation in activities for earthquake victims in the İskenderun district. A total of 75 young volunteers who participated during these periods played a role in preparing and distributing meals for earthquake victims. Everyone Will Learn to Swim Within the scope of the “Everyone Will Learn to Swim” project, eight portable pools were sent to container cities in Hatay (four), Kahraman- maraş (two), and Malatya (two), in addition to the existing pools. The aim is to normalize life in the 10 provinces affected by the earthquake disaster, mitigate the physical and psychological impacts, and ensure the continuity of sports training. As part of the “Everyone Will Learn to Swim” project, a total of 77 porta- ble pools were actively used during the summer months. These were dis- tributed across various provinces: Adana (12), Adıyaman (5), Diyarbakır (12), Elazığ (2), Gaziantep (6), Hatay (10), Kahramanmaraş (7), Malatya (6), Osmaniye (6), and Şanlıurfa (11). 402 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Anatolian Stars League The Anatolian Stars League project in 2023 organized activities for children and young people aged 10-18 in various sports branches in the earthquake-affected provinces. Within this initiative, activities were conducted in athletics, table tennis, karate, orienteering, tennis, and swimming. Run While You Can The goal is to leverage the rehabilitative power of sports in the 11 prov- inces affected by the earthquake, encouraging individuals of all ages to TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 403 engage in healthy and conscious sports. The project aims to introduce various sports branches as leisure activities and contribute to public health by instilling the habit of regular exercise for a healthy life. Sports activities in different branches were carried out with the guid- ance of coaches from the Youth and Sports provincial directorates. We Own the Streets Youth Cup The nationwide “We Own the Streets 3x3 Basketball Project” included local and regional championships, as well as a Türkiye championship. The project aimed to enhance communication among young people, promote sports habits, and provide recreational enjoyment through sports. Teams from earthquake zone provinces, including Şanlıurfa, Ki- lis, Gaziantep, Diyarbakır, Mersin, and Elazığ, participated in the com- petitions. Neighborhood League Sports Projects Organized Exclusively for the Earthquake Region The “Neighborhood League Sports Projects” specific to the Earthquake Region targeted children aged 14-17 in the 10 affected provinces. The goal was to contribute to the post-earthquake recovery processes through sports initiatives. 404 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Between April 26 and May 3, 2023, a sports tournament under the slo- gan ‘Shoulder to Shoulder, Back to the Pitch’ was organized. The fields of basketball, badminton, and volleyball saw participation from chil- dren sheltering in tent cities, container cities, and dormitories in Adana, Adıyaman, Diyarbakır, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Kilis, Malat- ya, Osmaniye, and Şanlıurfa provinces. Material aid was provided to all 4,652 earthquake-victim children who participated in the project. Education Experience Application (EDU) A system has been devised to assign trainers to educational, social, cul- tural, and sports events organized within the Ministry of Youth and Sports. The aim is to help participating young people learn and develop their existing potential through these trainings, whether delivered re- motely or face-to-face. As part of ongoing efforts, various courses cover- ing 476 topics are offered free of charge in Ministry dormitories, youth centers, and sports facilities. The “My Mentor Life Skills” program, derived from these trainings, aims to equip the youth with the necessary skills for our age, fostering hap- piness, success, effectiveness, and productivity in all areas of life. The online portal features 300 micro-training contents across various fields, including emotional management and problem-solving skills. Collabo- rations with other institutions and organizations were established with- in the framework of the training initiatives. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 405 Study environments were created within physical facilities, such as stu- dent dormitories, youth centers, container cities, and tent cities, particu- larly for groups preparing for exams. Young people received book sup- port, and volunteer youths and IMS instructors provided assistance in addressing missing topics and answering questions. Following the earthquake on February 6, 2023, the loans of students who had received loans from the Ministry of Youth and Sports were convert- ed into scholarships, effective from February. Scholarships were allocat- ed to students who applied for scholarships/loans in 2023-2024, with priority given to earthquake victims. As of December 14, 2023, 41,549 students are receiving scholarships due to this priority. The identifica- 406 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS tion of students who are earthquake victims is queried through the web query from the AFAD information system, and the conversion process of students with entered information as earthquake victims is ongoing. Other Projects • A total of 3,760 individuals, comprising Ministry of Youth and Sports personnel and Youth Center volunteers, were assigned to the prov- inces of Adıyaman, Diyarbakır, Elazığ, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kahraman- maraş, Malatya, Osmaniye, and Şanlıurfa. Staff and volunteers were assigned on a weekly basis following the earthquake. The assigned staff and volunteers actively participated in event tents and other volunteer work. • Youth Centers, Youth Offices, and Youth Camps have been operation- al 24/7 since the earthquake, offering food, beverage, and shelter ser- vices. Coordination with governorships and AFAD in all 81 provinces ensured the collection of basic supplies at Youth Centers, which were then delivered to disaster areas. • In 81 provinces, teams were formed for activities such as psychoso- cial, cultural, sportive, personal development for disaster victims hosted in Ministry dormitories and tents set up in disaster areas. • Since the earthquake, a diverse range of trainings and activities, cov- ering personal development, sports, arts, and science, have been con- ducted in youth centers and youth offices within the disaster zone. Currently, 1,305,539 children and youth have benefited from 62,410 activities. Number of Children and Young People Benefiting from Youth Centers and Youth Offices in the Disaster Area 62,410 Activities 1,305,539 Children and youth have benefited TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 407 408 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS • Through the collaboration of JICA Türkiye Office and the Ministry, psychosocial support activities have been implemented in earth- quake-affected provinces, including Adıyaman, Malatya, Kahraman- maraş, and Hatay, which were severely impacted by the earthquake. STEM workshops and training programs are organized for staff and youth centers as part of the project. • During national camp periods, 3,215 young people from the earth- quake region were given priority and had the opportunity to benefit from the national camps. • As part of civilization, history, and culture camps, quotas of 1,820 people were allocated to the provinces affected by the earthquake, and young people participated in the excursion program in Çanak- kale, Nevşehir, Bitlis, and Tekirdağ. • Furthermore, 9,763 citizens affected by the earthquake were hosted in 17 youth camps. • Within the scope of the Social Integration and Youth Participation Project, the following activities were carried out in the earthquake provinces after February 6, 2023. o Following the earthquake, volunteers composed of vol- unteer project workers, psychologists, translators, and neighborhood support teams conducted various activi- ties, supporting ongoing efforts both in the field and in the “Youth Areas,” which are a combination of containers with the status of a youth center. These teams, initially engaged in tasks such as debris removal and material distribution in the early stages of the earthquake, subse- quently undertook various studies to address the needs of young people and children, facilitate their adaptation to the new situation, and provide motivation. o Translators, who took turns being on-site during the in- itial six months, provided assistance to earthquake vic- tims under temporary protection. They utilized voice calls, especially in areas with challenging rubble build- up, to establish communication. In subsequent periods, psychologists lent their expertise to help young people navigate the crisis, adapt to their new circumstances, and address the challenges children faced post-trauma. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 409 o “Neighborhood Support Teams,” composed of young individuals identifying diverse needs in their neighbor- hoods, play a pivotal role in ensuring these needs are met. They actively implement plans to address various requirements in the field. Besides volunteering in earth- quake-stricken provinces and offering on-site support, they contributed to packing and distributing materials for the earthquake-affected region. Additionally, they provided both physical and moral support, attending to the needs of families arriving from the earthquake zone. o To aid earthquake-affected young individuals preparing for the LGS and YKS exams, training support sessions and seminars on pre-exam anxiety and stress coping were organized. Expert volunteers and trainers initially conducted these in earthquake-affected regions and later expanded them to all provinces where affected families migrated. The seminars organized in this context drew participation from approximately 3,000 people. o As part of these efforts, 1,171 cases were identified, offer- ing psychological first aid to 5,508 individuals. Further- more, earthquake awareness initiatives reached 12,602 people, and a variety of social activities engaged 242,663 children. o In the five provinces affected by the earthquake, 17 social workers, four psychologists, 12 drivers, and five transla- tors are currently on duty. There are 11 operational vehi- cles supporting their efforts. Sports Services The Ministry of Youth and Sports promptly suspended sports services and activities immediately after the earthquake disaster on February 6, 2023, until further notice. From March 1, 2023, onward, national sports activities, based on the calendar, resumed. Simultaneously, urgent coordination was established with 64 federa- tion presidencies, and 22,103 in-kind aid materials (tube stoves, honey- comb-radiator heaters, quilts, blankets, fleece, various clothing items, drawstring bags, backpacks, sleeping bags, hats, masks, towel sets, diapers, etc.) were dispatched to the region under the coordination of 410 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS AFAD. Furthermore, a substantial sum of TRY 11,269,100 in cash aid was contributed by 58 federation presidencies, earmarked for distribution to the affected provinces under the careful coordination of AFAD. Throughout this period, all our sports clubs and federations rallied, offering both manpower and available resources to contribute to the overall well-being in the aftermath of the earthquake. Materials and op- portunities for sports projects, accessible in provincial directorates and summer sports schools, have been extended to all citizens affected by the earthquake. The collaborative effort persists in healing wounds and fostering recovery. IN-KIND AIDS SENT TO AMATEUR SPORTS CLUBS IN 11 PROVINCES AFFECTED BY THE EARTHQUAKE ON FEBRUARY 6, 2023 NO   Province Number Of Clubs Sports Bag Short-Shirt Training Vest Raincoat 1 Adana 384 7680 7680 7680 3840 2 Adıyaman 111 2220 2220 2220 1110 3 Diyarbakır 161 3220 3220 3220 1610 4 Elazığ 104 2080 2080 2080 1040 5 Gaziantep 240 4800 4800 4800 2400 6 Hatay 221 4420 4420 4420 2210 7 Kahramanmaraş 148 2960 2960 2960 1480 8 Kilis 35 700 700 700 350 9 Malatya 165 3300 3300 3300 1650 10 Osmaniye 96 1920 1920 1920 960 11 Şanlıurfa 136 2720 2720 2720 1360 TOTAL 1801 36020 36020 36020 18010 IN-KIND AID SENT TO PROVINCES AFFECTED BY THE EARTHQUAKE ON FEBRUARY 6, 2023 NO   Province Tracksuit Raincoat Training Vest Sports Bag Chess Set Football Basketball Volleyball Tatamı (Set) 1 Adana 600 600 600 600 2 Adıyaman 20600 600 600 600 13 3 Diyarbakır 600 600 600 600 4 Gaziantep 600 600 600 600 5 Hatay 11320 11220 600 600 10 6 Kahramanmaraş 48600 11280 600 600 7 Kilis 600 600 600 600 8 Malatya 9880 11280 600 600 9 Osmaniye 600 600 600 625 1200 150 150 150 10 Şanlıurfa 600 600 600 600 TOTAL 94000 37980 6000 6025 1200 150 150 150 23 TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 411 Dormitory Accommodations Following the earthquake disaster on February 6, dormitories affiliat- ed with the Ministry of Youth and Sports throughout the nation were opened to serve citizens affected by the earthquake. In addition to the 11 provinces directly impacted by the earthquake, eight additional provinces (Antalya, Karaman, Kayseri, Konya, Mardin, Mersin, Niğde, and Sivas) were designated as earthquake support prov- inces. All dormitories in these provinces, as well as those in other prov- inces not housing students, were made available to serve citizens affect- ed by the earthquake. From February 6, 2023 until the beginning of the 2023-2024 academic year, a total of 477,952 citizens were hosted in our Credit and Hostels Institution dormitories across the country. From February 6, 2023 until the beginning of the 2023-2024 academic year, three meals a day were provided to our earthquake victims in the restaurant-canteen establish- ments in our Credit and Hostels Institution dormitories across the coun- try. “Social Markets” were opened in the dormitories where accommo- dation services were provided and the urgent needs of our citizens were met; personal care and hygiene kits, clothing and food support were pro- vided. 412 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS As of December 14, 2023, a total of 28,568 students identified as earth- quake victims are accommodated in dormitories with priority and free of charge. Dormitory fees are waived for students studying at universi- ties that have transitioned to distance education in earthquake-hit prov- inces. In response to the February 6 earthquake, “meal support” payments were consistently disbursed to students who couldn’t reside in dormito- ries housing earthquake victims during periods when dormitory servic- es were unavailable. Damla Volunteers, participating voluntarily in the ongoing initiatives, have actively engaged in projects across 11 cities, particularly focusing on dormitories. Collaborating with the Psychosocial Support Team as- signed by the Ministry in Hatay, Adıyaman, and Kahramanmaraş, our volunteers orchestrated various field activities with children, including games, face painting, clown shows, handicrafts, family engagement ses- sions, origami, and sports. Additionally, local volunteering initiatives are underway for our earth- quake-affected guests residing in dormitories located in cities beyond the provinces directly impacted by the earthquake. Our dedicated, active and young 152 Damla Volunteers contributed a cumulative total of 679 hours towards volunteering activities over the course of 23 days. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 413 In the Ankara Gölbaşı Men’s Dormitory, services were extended to earth- quake victims undergoing outpatient treatment, including those who ex- perienced amputations during the earthquake. In the dormitory, prelimi- nary interviews were held with earthquake victims to determine their needs, and their needs were quickly met. The Psychosocial Support Team staff conducted interviews with individuals identified as requiring indi- vidual sessions. Daily shuttle services from the dormitory to various hospitals were pro- vided, ensuring timely transportation before and after medical examina- tions. The dormitory also organized activities for disadvantaged individuals, in- cluding the creation of a children’s playground. In the 11 provinces impacted by the earthquake, a total of 1,163 trainers par- ticipated in sports, culture, and art activities training facilitated through IMS. Activities such as table tennis, football, ceramics, exam preparation, communication skills, emotional management, and chess were organized for young people affected by the earthquake. National Internship Programme The Presidential Human Resources Office reopened the National Intern- ship Programme for students affected by the earthquake disaster on Feb- ruary 6, after applications for 2023 were closed at the end of January. It was determined that roughly 75,000 of the 407,000 students who applied to the programme lived or studied in provinces affected by the earthquake. A special icon was added to their profiles to ensure that employers were aware of the students in question and that the eligible students received priority access to internship opportunities. Public and private sector or- ganisations that provide internship opportunities through the programme were encouraged to set aside special quotas for students affected by the earthquake in order to facilitate the process. In line with these efforts, 33,186 internship offers were sent to earth- quake-affected university students, and 28,887 of those who accepted the offers successfully completed their internships. The state covered the in- surance premiums of all young people doing internships, as well as the wages of public sector interns. 414 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS In addition, “Earthquake and Protection Awareness Training,” “Psycho- social Support Seminar,” “Employee Support in Disasters and Emergen- cies,” and “Disaster Awareness” courses were added to the Presidential Human Resources Office’s digital training platform for students partici- pating in the National Internship Programme. Investments Youth Center and Youth Offices Across the earthquake zone provinces of Adana, Adıyaman, Diyarbakır, Elazığ, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye, and Şanlıurfa, services were delivered through 55 youth centers and 45 youth offices. Three additional youth offices and four youth areas, estab- lished in container cities following the earthquake disaster, have been seamlessly integrated into these facilities. The ongoing construction of seven more youth areas is progressing steadily. Details regarding the completed and ongoing construction of facilities post-earthquake disaster are outlined in the table below:   PROVINCE/ DISTRICT CONTAINER CITY TYPE BUILDING TYPE STATUS ADIYAMAN Center Vartana Temporary Accommodation Center Youth Area Prefabricated (160 m²) Completed PS Container City Youth Office Prefabricated Completed Yenimahalle K15-19 Container City Youth Area Prefabricated (160 m²) Completed GAZİANTEP Nurdağ Nur 2 Container City Youth Area Prefabricated (160 m²) Under construction Tekyürek Container City Youth Area Prefabricated (160 m²) Completed Islahiye Islahiye Container City Youth Office 2-story Reinforced Concrete Completed HATAY Antakya Container to be provided by the Ministry with Money Transfer Youth Area Prefabricated (160 m²) Under Construction KAHRAMANMARAŞ Merkez Koç Container City Youth Area Prefabricated (160 m²) Under Construction Necip Fazıl Container City Youth Area Prefabricated (160 m²) Under Construction Elbistan DEİK-MÜSİAD Container City Youth Area Prefabricated (160 m²) Under Construction TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 415 MALATYA Yeşilyurt Rönesans Container City Youth Area Prefabricated (3 units) Completed Elemendik Container City Youth Office Prefabricated Completed Battalgazi (Teknokent) Technopark Container City Youth Area Prefabricated (160 m²) Under Construction OSMANİYE Merkez Fakı Uşağı Container City Youth Area Prefabricated (160 m²) Under Construction Post-earthquake, the initiation of the “Youth Area,” combining the func- tionalities of a youth center within the structure of containers, was set into motion. The first four “Youth Areas,” being developed as compre- hensive youth centers with furnishing and volunteer support, have been activated in Adıyaman, Gaziantep (Nurdağı), and Malatya provinces. The rapid preparation process for the remaining seven areas is under- way. Efforts to Facilitate Children and Young People’s Access to Facili- ties. A mobile youth center was strategically designed to reach children and youth in districts and villages within disaster areas. 10 vehicles, equipped with various gifts and activity materials, served in the affected regions. These vehicles were also utilized to transport children and families to the facilities. 416 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS “Youth Center is Everywhere” activities unfolded using the aforemen- tioned tools and materials for those children and young people unable to avail themselves of the youth center and youth office activities. Within the “Youth Center is Everywhere” initiative, 451,886 children and youth were provided with mini youth center opportunities through 5,209 ac- tivities. Dormitory Construction Progress in the Earthquake Zone • Kahramanmaraş Elbistan 665-Person Dormitory Project : Construc- tion is planned to be completed in 2024. • Kahramanmaraş Reinforced Concrete 1,000-Bed Dormitory Project: Construction is planned to be completed on 08.07.2025. • Şanlıurfa 1,000-Person Student Dormitory Construction: Construc- tion is planned to be completed on 07.07.2024. • Osmaniye 1,250-Person Dormitory Project: Construction is planned to be completed on 15.09.2024. • Hatay 762-Person Dormitory Project : Construction is planned to be completed on 11.04.2024. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 417 • Hatay Kırıkhan 220-Bed Student Dormitory Project: Construction is planned to be completed in 2024. • Diyarbakır Sur 1396-Bed Student Dormitory Project: Completed in September 2023. • Adana Yüreğir Indoor Olympic Swimming Pool Project: Construc- tion will be completed in 2024. • Adıyaman Kahta Sports Complex Project: Construction will be com- pleted in 2024. • Adıyaman Besni Semi-Olympic Swimming Pool Project: Construc- tion will be completed in 2024. Earthquake Zone Heavy Steel Dormitory Projects in Project Phase To expedite dormitory construction, projects have been crafted in heavy steel, featuring ‘ground floor + 4-5 floors.’ S/N Province District Capacity Project Name Land Size (m²) Location 1 KAHRAMANMARAŞ ONİKİŞUBAT 2,000 Heavy Steel Dormitory Project 49,847 On Campus 2 KAHRAMANMARAŞ DULKADİROĞLU 2,000 Heavy Steel Dormitory Project 60,901 On Heavily Damaged Dormitory Land 3 HATAY HEAD OFFICE 1,500 Heavy Steel Dormitory Project 9,000 Old Sabancı Dormitory Land – On Campus 4 HATAY İSKENDERUN 750 Heavy Steel Dormitory Project 12,000 On the Old Prefabricated Dormitory Land 5 ADIYAMAN HEAD OFFICE 1,000 Heavy Steel Dormitory Project 16,500 In the Dormitories Area – Land Previously Occupied by Dormitories Demolished 6 GAZİANTEP ŞEHİTKÂMİL 2,000 Heavy Steel Dormitory Project 24,000 On Campus 7 ADANA SARIÇAM 1,000 Heavy Steel Dormitory Project 209,861 Available spaces in the Existing Dormitories Area 6 ŞANLIURFA SİVEREK 500 Heavy Steel Dormitory Project 11,325 On the Vocational School’s Land 9 ELAZIĞ HEAD OFFICE 1,000 Heavy Steel Dormi- tory Project 20,000 On Campus 10 MALATYA YEŞİLYURT 2,000 Heavy Steel Dormi- tory Project 44,981 Close to the University Campus 11 KİLİS HEAD OFFICE 1,000 Heavy Steel Dormi- tory Project 17,427 3km from the City Center 2km from the University TOTAL CAPACITY (9 PROVINCES) 14,250 418 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Investments as part of the FRIT II Project (EU Support to Ref- ugees and Host Communities): • The construction of nine Youth and Sports Facilities under the “FRİT II Project” across seven provinces affected by the February 6 earth- quake is scheduled for completion in 2024. (1 Tennis Court, 8 Foot- ball Fields) • Additionally, within the “FRIT II Project,” three Youth Centers in Adana, Hatay, and Kilis are projected to be completed in 2024. • The construction of seven Youth and Sports Facilities under the “FRİT II Project” in four provinces will also conclude in 2024. S/N Province District Project Name Facility Type 1 ADIYAMAN HEAD OFFICE ADIYAMAN MERKEZ GYMNASIUM CONSTRUCTION Gymnasium 2 ADIYAMAN GÖLBAŞI ADIYAMAN GÖLBAŞI YENİ MAHALLE YOUTH CENTER Youth Center 3 KAHRAMANMARAŞ TÜRKOĞLU KAHRAMANMARAŞ TÜRKOĞLU GYMNASIUM CONSTRUCTION Gymnasium 4 MALATYA YEŞİLYURT MALATYA YEŞİLYURT YOUTH CENTER CONSTRUCTION Youth Center 5 MALATYA BATTALGAZİ MALATYA BATTALGAZİ SWIMMING POOL CONSTRUCTION Swimming Pool 6 MALATYA BATTALGAZİ MALATYA BATTALGAZİ GYMNASIUM CONSTRUCTION Gymnasium 7 OSMANİYE ÇARDAKLI OSMANİYE MERKEZ ÇARDAK NEIGHBORHOOD OPEN FOOTBALL FIELD CONSTRUCTION Football Field TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 419 5.13. Religious Services 420 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS In the aftermath of the earthquakes on February 6, 2023, that deeply affected the nation, sermons were delivered in mosques nationwide to strengthen feelings of unity and solidarity, alleviate our shared pain, and foster hope for the future. Commemorating the souls of our brothers and sisters who lost their lives in the earthquake, Quranic recitations and prayer programs were conducted in mosques nationwide. The Presidency of Religious Affairs, in accordance with Article 17 of the Law on the Establishment of the Presidency of Religious Affairs, colla- borated with the Türkiye Diyanet Foundation (TDV) to fulfill its legally assigned duties. These responsibilities spanned a range of areas, inclu- ding search and rescue, shelter, burial and identification services, eva- cuation, food distribution, nutrition, and social and humanitarian aid. The Presidency of Religious Affairs maintained robust cooperation with other institutions in the field, extending support to our citizens through both its own personnel and TDV staff and volunteers. The capability to swiftly organize in extraordinary situations, inherent in its human resources, played a pivotal role in the Presidency of Reli- gious Affairs’ successful provision of services related to earthquakes. The Disaster and Emergency Center, operating within the central orga- nization, swiftly intervened in situations that posed potential disrupti- ons to the field, coordinating its personnel in collaboration with TDV. A network of personnel, extending to the farthest points of the country, ensured the prompt delivery of necessary logistical support to earthqu- ake-affected areas. In the earthquake zone, personnel were tasked with providing guidance, moral support, imamate, Quranic recitations, funeral equipment, burial, and funeral services. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 421 A team of 220 people from the Türkiye Diyanet Foundation (TDV) and the Presidency of Religious Affairs offered spiritual guidance services to disaster victims in Kahramanmaraş. The staff of the Presidency of Religious Affairs delivered spiritual coun- seling and religious services to earthquake victims hosted in Religious Academy Centers, Qur’an Courses affiliated with the Presidency of Reli- gious Affairs, student dormitories linked to the Credit and Dormitories Institution, dormitories and hostels under the Ministry of National Edu- cation, guesthouses, hotels, hostels, etc., affiliated with public instituti- ons, non-governmental organizations, and health facilities outside the earthquake zone. 422 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Deployment of Instructors to the Presidency of Religious Affairs’ Children’s Tents in Tent and Container Cities Established in Eart- hquake Zones In response to the earthquake, 197 Quran course instructors from different provinces were assigned to work in the “Diyanet Children” tents serving in tent and container cities in Kahramanmaraş, and 160 Quran course inst- ructors were similarly assigned in Hatay. These assignments were carried out in the months of March, April, and May. “Diyanet Children” tent Educational Activities for Earthquake Victims Hosted in KYK Dormitories KYK Dormitories outside the earthquake zone organized non-formal re- ligious education activities for those affected by the earthquake. Deployment of Psychological Counseling and Guidance Teachers To support students psychologically impacted by the Kahramanma- raş-centered earthquake on February 6, 2023, 12 psychological coun- seling and guidance teachers were appointed in Adıyaman, Hatay, and Kahramanmaraş provinces. They were tasked with providing guidance to students continuing their education in Quran courses in the earthqu- ake-affected region. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 423 Training Activities Carried Out in Ramadan for the Earthquake Region As part of Ramadan 2023 activities in the earthquake zone, Quranic re- citations took place in mosques established in tent and container cities. Additionally, non-formal religious education activities were arranged for children in Diyanet Children’s tents and for earthquake-affected ci- tizens residing in Credit and Dormitories Institution (KYK) dormitories. Ramadan Tent of Kindness Summer Boarding Quran Courses Held for Children in Earthqua- ke Zones Between July 3 and July 28, 2023, a four-week residential summer Qu- ran course program was conducted in Ankara and Istanbul, benefiting around 750 students from Adıyaman, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, and Ma- latya provinces. Separate dormitories for male and female students were prepared in An- kara for those from Hatay and Kahramanmaraş, and in Istanbul for tho- se from Adıyaman and Malatya. Coordinators from the earthquake zone provinces accompanied the children during their journeys and educati- on processes. 424 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Individuals residing in the earthquake zone who won the right to per- form the pilgrimage in the 2023 pilgrimage draw but couldn’t go due to the earthquake were given the opportunity to postpone their pilgrimage rights to 2024. For the 2024 pilgrimage organization, provinces in the earthquake zone were granted an additional 35 percent quota in addition to the regular quota. The payment period for those who finalized their registration for the 2024 pilgrimage and will go from the earthquake area has been exten- ded. Academy center educators, trainees, and assigned personnel provided various lessons (Quran, Basic Religious Information, Preaching and Gu- idance, Kandil Programs, etc.), as well as spiritual consultancy and gui- dance services to earthquake victims. Staff working in courses for the 4-6 age group organized educational, cultural, and morale activities for children in various age groups, inclu- ding the 4-6 age group. Social Services Available bed capacities in dormitories and hostels affiliated with the Presidency of Religious Affairs, located in provinces neighboring the earthquake zone, were assessed. A total of 58,764 earthquake victims were accommodated in residential Quran courses. Daily accommodati- on updates were collected from provinces and relayed to both the Presi- dency of Religious Affairs and the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency. As part of the Social Responsibility Project, 716 university students, com- prising 188 students in the 2022-2023 Umrah period and 528 students in the 2023-2024 Umrah period, were sponsored for Umrah. This initiative aimed to alleviate the earthquake’s impact on university students stud- ying in the 11-province earthquake zone or students in other provinces who were in the earthquake-affected provinces during the earthquake, fostering increased spirituality. Accommodation services have started to be provided at the Religious Specialization and Specialized Religious Centers of the Religious Aca- demy for disaster victims who lost their homes due to the earthquake. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 425 Quotas for the relevant centers were established and communicated to AFAD, with public announcements being made accordingly. Various individuals, both short-term and long-term occupants, utilized the cen- ters. In total, 4,197 individuals stayed in 25 Academy centers. A team of 525 personnel, trained in Religious Scout Leadership and Se- arch and Rescue in collaboration with the Turkish Scouting Federation, actively participated in TIFAKE and AFAD teams from the onset of the earthquake in four periods. Türkiye Diyanet Foundation Collaborative humanitarian aid, nutrition, shelter, and search and res- cue initiatives have been underway in 11 provinces adversely affected by the earthquake. This joint effort involves the Türkiye Diyanet Foundati- on and the Presidency of Religious Affairs, coordinated by AFAD since the earthquake’s onset. Within the scope of humanitarian aid efforts, 1,684 trucks and 439 pi- ckup trucks carrying essential supplies were dispatched to earthquake regions. Staff and volunteer personnel were mobilized to provide nutritional and humanitarian aid in the earthquake areas. A fleet of 515 vehicles, inclu- ding mobile catering units, mobile kitchens, and coordination vehicles, served in earthquake zones. Food Being Distributed to Earthquake Victims 426 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Over 17,000 personnel and volunteers from the Presidency of Religious Affairs and the Türkiye Diyanet Foundation, including a 307-member search and rescue team, engaged in various activities in earthquake zo- nes, covering humanitarian aid, funeral and burial services, and various religious services. Collaborative efforts with the Presidency of Religious Affairs ensured the proper funeral arrangements for our deceased citizens. Funeral Procedures The Women and Youth Branches of the Türkiye Diyanet Foundation pla- yed a vital role in supporting earthquake victims. A network of 55,500 volunteers nationwide, including 3,253 volunteers in the earthquake region, provided both material and moral assistance. The Women and Youth Branches actively participated in logistical support, mobilizing a total of 58,753 volunteers. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 427 Under the leadership of the Presidency of Religious Affairs, the Provincial Mufti’s Office, along with religious officials from the TDV Branch in Gire- sun, visited tent cities in Malatya. Their focus was on offering close atten- tion and moral support to earthquake victims and their children. The Foundation’s Soup Kitchens, Mobile Kitchens, and Mobile Catering Vehicles served hot meals, soup, rations, canned food, water, and tea to earthquake victims. A total of 7,981,914 earthquake victims and field workers benefited from these food and nutrition services. Alongside 80,803 shelter materials, including quilts, blankets, and pil- lows, the region received 3,558 tents and 3,678 containers. Eight warehouses and logistics centers were established in strategic lo- cations for efficient aid dispatch and management in Kahramanmaraş, Adana, Hatay, Antakya/Reyhanlı, Malatya, Kilis, Adıyaman, and Gazian- tep. The collected aid was sorted and swiftly delivered to areas in urgent need. Türkiye Diyanet Foundation branches in provinces unaffected by the earthquake served as aid collection points, with 71 branches accep- ting in-kind and cash donations. The collected aid from these branches was promptly dispatched to the earthquake-affected areas. A total of 47,845 copies of the Holy Quran were sent to the disaster area. 428 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS As a forward-looking measure, the Türkiye Diyanet Foundation establis- hed search and rescue teams under the AFAD umbrella in six provinces. The plan is to increase the number of these teams to 81, working in coor- dination with public institutions. Ramadan Earthquake Zone Assistance Within the 2023 Ramadan program, more than 5 million earthquake vi- ctims received aid, including 100,000 food packages, 100,000 hygiene packages, 50,000 shopping aid cards, 20,000 kindness bags, 20,000 pra- yer sets, and 50,000 copies of the Holy Quran. The aid also covered Eid meals, with 3 million iftar and sahur meals distributed. The Quran being distributed Plant a Seed, Let Hope Grow Project There was a need to develop projects to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of non-formal religious education activities in the provinces affected by the earthquakes. To address the intense emotions such as fear, anxiety, and sadness experienced by Qur’an course instructors in earthquake-affected areas, including Adıyaman, Hatay, Kahramanma- raş, Malatya, and the districts of İslahiye and Nurdağı in Gaziantep, a program was implemented. The goal was to support their social and TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 429 emotional development, boost morale, enhance motivation, and facili- tate their adaptation to both life and work. The implementation process of the project is ongoing. The project aimed to elevate staff motivation through visits to the eart- hquake zone, identify their needs, strengthen institutional bonds, and enhance the social-emotional development of staff using specially pre- pared training videos. Additionally, the initiative sought to raise aware- ness levels, improve emotional regulation skills, and help staff process challenging life experiences through face-to-face workshops. Ultima- tely, the project aspired to fortify coping skills and facilitate a smoother adaptation to work and life. The Plant a Seed Let Hope Grow Project In-Service Training Seminar on Spiritual Counseling and Gui- dance Services During Disasters Seminars were conducted on February 22-23, 2023, via online platforms, to guide personnel providing religious services in disasters and emer- gencies. Participants included Academy Center Directors, training offi- cers, and ongoing trainees. 430 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Seminar topics included: - Spiritual Consultancy and Guidance Services During Disasters and Crises, - Addressing Questions and Challenges of Faithful Individuals During Disasters and Crises Spiritual Counseling and Guidance Services Seminar in Times of Disaster, Kocaeli Specialized Religious Center Training Seminars for Personnel Engaged in Disaster Zones Following the earthquake, in-service training seminars were organized in various groups to contribute to the rehabilitation of personnel invol- ved in providing funeral, moral support, humanitarian aid, and search and rescue services. Titles of the seminars were; “Being a Religious Worker in Difficult Times” “Psychological Resilience in Disasters and Crises”. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 431 These seminars saw the active participation of approximately 10,000 personnel, coordinated by Academy centers and provincial/district muf- ti’s offices. Disaster Area Staff Meetings Disaster Area Personnel Meetings were organized in groups through on- line applications to further contribute to the rehabilitation of personnel working in the disaster area post-earthquake. Continuous and Distance Hafiz Training Education in the provinces of Kahramanmaraş, Hatay, and Adıyaman persisted through face-to-face classes (boarding or day) or online plat- forms if physical conditions were not conducive. Responding to requests, 1,612 students undergoing hafiz training in the earthquake-affected region were relocated to surrounding provinces. Students desiring to continue their hafiz training in the earthquake area were given the opportunity to pursue their training online. 432 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Culture and Arts Projects Under the “Hopes Growing with Art” project initiated by the Department of Turkish Islamic Arts and supported during the 2023 project calendar, artistic personnel in provinces affected by the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes on February 6, 2023, were identified. Artistic inventories of these personnel were compiled, and support was extended to enhance their artistic performance opportunities. Within the scope of the 2023 Mosques and Religious Officers Week activities, works of art from seven branches of art by 12 artistic personnel, eight male and four female, were exhibited in 4-5 October 2023 Ankara, 29-30 November 2023 Gaziantep, 6-7 December 2023 Izmir, 14 December 2023 Konya and 20 December 2023 Bursa to give voice to wounded hearts and a sign for holding on to life against all odds. Since February 6, 2023, a total of 388,617 printed publications have been sent free of charge by the General Directorate of Religious Publications for the benefit of citizens in the earthquake zone, those coming from the zone and staying in training centers, KYK Directorate guesthouses, and citizens settled in other provinces after the earthquake. Additionally, 220,000 books, 9,050 Children’s Magazines, and 10,500 Cim Magazines were distributed free of charge in the one-year period following the Feb- ruary 6 earthquakes. Support for the Youth and Sports A youth camp took place between November 22-24, 2023, at the Mersin Silifke 23 Nisan Youth Camp campus. 90 students aged 12 and above, who were undergoing haifz training in Hatay province within the eart- hquake zone, participated. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 433 5.14. Social Services 434 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Psychosocial Support in 10 Provinces Affected by the Earthquake In the 10 provinces affected by the earthquake, centered in the Pazarcık district of Kahramanmaraş, Psychosocial Support Teams were deployed immediately by the Ministry of Family and Social Services. The Ministry of Family and Social Services officially holds the respon- sibility for providing psychosocial support in disasters and emergen- cies, as outlined in the Türkiye’s Disaster Response Plan (TAMP) and the Response Services Regulation issued by AFAD in 2013. The Ministry mentioned above is entrusted with coordinating psychosocial support activities in the event of potential disasters or emergencies. Duties of the Psychosocial Support (PSD) Working Group: • The Ministry is committed to providing capacity-building training for all personnel involved in psychosocial support activities during disaster or emergency situations. • Logistic capacity necessary for the psychosocial support working group in disaster or emergency situations is arranged by the Minis- try. • The Ministry is responsible for identifying the immediate needs of those affected by disasters or emergencies, ensuring prompt report- ing to relevant working groups and allocating necessary resources. • Specialized psychosocial intervention studies are conducted by the Ministry for those affected by disasters or emergencies, especially vulnerable groups. • Social improvement activities are initiated by the Ministry to ease the adaptation process of individuals affected by disasters or emer- gencies into daily life. • The Ministry ensures that individuals affected by disasters or emer- gencies have access to relevant social service models or applications when needed. • Support services are extended to personnel engaged in disaster or emergency situations by the Ministry. Psychosocial Support Efforts The central and provincial organizations of the Ministry of Family and Social Services, in fulfilling these duties and responsibilities, adhere to TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 435 a well-structured plan answering the questions of “what, why, where, when, how, who, and with whom.” The “Nationwide Psychosocial Sup- port Working Group Plan” is utilized, along with TAMP (Türkiye’s Dis- aster Response Plan), to determine the execution of psychosocial sup- port activities. All intervention efforts are executed in alignment with the guidance provided by this plan. The Nationwide Plan also guides the qualification criteria for psychosocial intervention teams, defines job descriptions for the teams, and outlines work flows. Psychosocial intervention teams in the disaster area employ various intervention tools such as psychological first aid, needs and resource assessment, psychoeducation, community participation, employee sup- port, and social improvement activities. Transforming these tools into tangible applications and studies in the disaster area necessitates pro- fessional knowledge and skills. The composition of teams includes pro- fessionals like social workers, psychologists, psychological counselors, child development experts, and sociologists, ensuring a comprehensive and proficient approach. Psychosocial support teams are swiftly deployed to the disaster area from the very beginning, with a primary focus on shielding citizens from the shock, destructive aftermath, challenging circumstances, and the chaos ensuing from the disaster. Psychosocial intervention teams are dispatched to various locations, including rubble sites, hospitals, tent cities, temporary shelter centers, and container cities. Mobile teams are sent to areas where service access is hindered due to the disaster. Additionally, foster families and the relatives of martyrs and veterans receiving services are contacted, and their psychosocial support needs are thoroughly evaluated. 436 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Following the earthquake centered in Kahramanmaraş Pazarcık on February 6, the Psychosocial Support Working Group of the Ministry, responding to AFAD’s call, convened at the AFAD Crisis Center. Collab- orating with other working groups, meetings were held at governor’s offices in the affected provinces. All working groups were internally or- ganized, and fieldwork commenced as rapidly as possible. The Ministry responsible for coordinating the psychosocial support working group promptly reached out to provincial directorates in the disaster-affected areas. Psychosocial support teams from the provincial organization were promptly dispatched to assess the situation and offer psychological first aid support to citizens awaiting assistance amid the debris. On the day of the disaster, 71 provincial directorates were con- tacted to provide support to the affected provinces. Psychosocial sup- port teams were mobilized to reach the region. Response teams actively worked in debris and hospitals until the tent cities were set up. Citizens awaiting the rescue and treatment of their relatives received psychological support from psychosocial intervention teams, and other institutions were mobilized to address their needs. Mo- bile teams were formed specifically for psychosocial support work in re- mote areas such as villages. Individuals, including children, women, disabled, and elderly individu- als, who were receiving boarding services in social service institutions, were evacuated to other provinces. Psychosocial support efforts extend- ed to all 71 provinces, including those where evacuations occurred, as well as the 10 provinces directly affected by the earthquake. With the swift establishment of container cities following tent cities, psychosocial support teams visited families at their homes, conduct- ing needs assessment studies to identify urgent and specific needs. Specialized support programs were meticulously organized to address the unique needs of elderly individuals, disabled citizens, infants, and children within families. Families of both survivors and victims were personally visited to gauge their psychological well-being. Observations were made regarding their levels of psychological impact, and tailored psychosocial support activities were devised to assist them accordingly. Individuals requiring protection, specifically children, women, disabled individuals, and the elderly, were granted access to essential social ser- vices. When necessary, protective measures were implemented to en- sure their safety. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 437 Psychosocial Support Adult Units and Child Units were established in each container city. Teams persistently engage in psychosocial support activities within these designated areas. Psychoeducational initiatives and group sessions are conducted to help adults navigate and compre- hend the complexities of the post-disaster period. Ongoing psycholog- ical support is extended to individuals grappling with post-traumatic stress disorder, and follow-up care is diligently provided. Given the po- tential risks associated with communal living spaces, training sessions cover critical aspects such as privacy, hygiene, family communication, and more. Within Psychosocial Support Children’s Areas, age-appropriate psycho- education is delivered, encompassing group sessions and social devel- opment activities tailored to each child’s needs. Aiming for a return to normalcy, the disaster-affected area, now more settled with the establishment of container cities, witnesses the opening of hobby courses, sports activities, and a myriad of cultural and social improvement initiatives. During the healing process, psychosocial inter- vention teams strategically leverage social activities as a means rather than an end, with the primary goal of unveiling individuals’ innate cop- ing skills. The main goal is to unlock people’s self-coping skills. Assignments from across the country are ongoing to support provincial directorates in disaster-stricken provinces. In order to ensure the sus- tainability of psychosocial support services, active trainings are provid- ed in the field, especially to strengthen local capacity. Acknowledging the Ministry of Family and Social Services’ responsibil- ity, active efforts are dedicated to implementing and coordinating “Em- ployee Support Practices” for all disaster workers engaged in providing 438 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS psychosocial support services to citizens affected by the disaster. Under the umbrella of this responsibility, Employee Support Practices, includ- ing training sessions, sharing groups, psychoeducation, and individual interviews, are systematically implemented at both central and local levels. The aim is to mitigate the potential impacts of secondary trauma- tization, burnout, and emotional fatigue that employees may encounter. This process is orchestrated with coordination efforts, with a focus on the 10 provinces directly affected by the disaster. Utilizing both face-to- face and online platforms, these practices are conducted in collabora- tion with support solution partners. Psychosocial Support for Young People To address the psychological repercussions of the disaster and foster healing, the Ministry of Youth and Sports’ Psychosocial Support Team, alongside the psychosocial support personnel affiliated with the Edu- cation Management System, have been deployed to the affected region. Initiating various sports and artistic activities, coaches and trainers are actively contributing to uplifting the spirits of the earthquake-affected communities. Since February 6, 2023, a dedicated “Psychosocial Support Team” compris- ing 648 individuals, including 240 men- tal health workers and mental health officers employed through the Training Management System, has been operat- ing in the earthquake zone. A total of 609 trainers and coaches specializing in sports and artistic activities have also actively participated in the region. The “Our Dorm is Your Home” Psycho- social Support Work Plan, designed for all age groups, has been implemented in dormitories in collaboration with various institutions and organizations as part of ongoing efforts. To further bolster psychosocial support activities, 25,000 books published by the Ministry of Youth and Sports were dispatched to the earthquake-affected region. After Earthquake on 6.2.2023 Support Actions People Supported People Supported Mental Health Professionals Psychosocial Support Teams Psychological First-Aid Training Psychological First-Aid Training People Provided with Psychosocial Support Facilitators and Trainers Earthquake Area Actions Hours Our Volunteers In Coordination With The Psychosocial Support Teams: Volunteers in total Game Sports Family activities Handicrafts Food Supplies delivery Debris removal 378,896 275,362 8,890 TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 439 Psychosocial support activities, emphasizing individual interviews and group activities, were conducted both on-site in earthquake-stricken provinces and within dormitories across all 81 provinces. Teams en- gaged in one-on-one contact with families and children affected by the earthquake, addressing basic needs such as food, clothing, and hygiene items, while also providing psychological first aid, psychosocial support interventions, emotional transfer sessions, and informative training about the ongoing process. Dedicated children’s play/activity rooms and play therapy areas were established. Various sports and social activities were organized to engage citizens of all age groups. The scope of these efforts included diverse activities such as theater performances, chess tournaments, and nature and cultural trips. Numerous activities target- ing citizens of all age groups residing in dormitories were organized dur- ing this process. The endeavor to support field teams was intensified, leading to the cre- ation and distribution of five coloring books with pedagogical content. These books, titled “I Meet Sports,” “I Love Animals,” “I Do Activities,” “My First Coloring Book,” and “I Love Nature,” were distributed to earth- quake-affected children nationwide. During the transition from tent cities to container cities, particular at- tention was paid to maintaining activities in each shelter area within a one-year timeframe. 440 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Activities in children’s playgrounds, group studies for adolescents and young people, and psychoeducation sessions for parents were especially emphasized during this period. Group studies aimed at bringing young people together under different themes, such as coping with loss, psychoeducation, social support, and emotional state interpretation, were conducted to assist young individ- uals in mitigating the effects of the earthquake and returning to a sense of normalcy. Services for Children In response to the earthquake disaster, collaborative efforts were under- taken with relevant institutions and organizations to identify children reported to the Ministry of Family and Social Services. This included those whose relatives were unreachable or who had been entrusted to public entities due to a lack of identification or communication ability. Procedures related to child identification and reuniting them with their families were carried out diligently. The primary focus in the efforts to support earthquake-affected children was on locating them, ensuring proper medical care, providing safe envi- ronments, meeting their basic needs, and expediting their identification and reunification with family and relatives. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 441 For children capable of expressing themselves, the handover process in- cluded statements from the children, information, and documents con- firming the familial relationship (such as a relative’s declaration, e-gov- ernment-issued population registration, family photographs, MERNIS records, DNA matching, etc.). Records pertaining to unidentified chil- dren without family/relatives were promptly reported to security units, and comparative studies using various databases were conducted to fa- cilitate their identification. Family reunification for identified children was coordinated through re- sponsible units in the respective provinces. New programs were developed alongside existing ones to monitor chil- dren affected by disasters. Effective utilization of resources included the Disaster Management Module of the Family Information System from the Ministry of Family and Social Services, the Disaster Support Pro- gram of the Ministry of Health, the Search for Missing Persons Program of the Ministry of Interior, and the “Deep Vision Program” developed by TÜBİTAK. Children, whose treatment was completed but remained unidentified or uncontactable relatives, were placed under the care and custody of the state. Institutions affiliated with the Ministry of Family and Social Services, tailored to the age and development of the children, met all their needs and conducted necessary psychosocial support activities. No significant damage was observed in any children’s institutions, including those for foster care and adopted children. An evacuation plan for children under protection was devised and im- plemented. Within the initial 48 hours, a total of 966 children, including 877 from 10 provinces, were relocated to secure children’s institutions in safe provinces. Evacuated children’s homes in the region were repurposed in emergen- cies to address the needs of earthquake-affected individuals requiring protection. A training module titled “Children’s Privacy: Particular Considerations in the Disaster Period” was developed and shared with all relevant par- ties and the public through the Presidency’s Distance Education Gate- way (uzaktanegitimkapisi.cbiko.gov.tr). 442 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS The 2023-2028 Children’s Rights Strategy Document and Action Plan, in force since its publication in the Official Gazette on April 18, 2023, iden- tified “Services for Children Affected by Disasters, Crises, and Emergen- cies” as the main priority area. Within this framework, 21 significant ac- tivities are planned to be implemented to achieve three strategic goals. A “Commission on Children in Disasters, Crises, and Emergencies” was established for the first time in Türkiye during the “First Children’s Council” held between April 26-28, 2023. As part of this priority area, consultations are aimed to be conducted with the participation of aca- demics, non-governmental organizations, representatives of public in- stitutions and organizations, and field experts regarding the measures and activities for children in disasters, crises, and emergencies. A spare capacity of 2,220 was established in child care institutions out- side the earthquake zone. A guide titled “Considerations in the Child Protection System in Emer- gency Disaster Situations” was formulated. A “Call Center” was established to receive reports, requests, and noti- fications about children, and the information was disseminated to the public. To mitigate the traumatic effects of the earthquake, the “Post-Earth- quake Psychosocial Support Program for Children Under Protection and Care” was developed in collaboration with the World Health Organiza- tion (WHO). The program aimed to support staff in child care institu- tions with needs-based training and provide psychosocial support and mental health services to children in institutional care post-earthquake. Under the auspices of this program, the “Facilitator Training” for the Early Adolescent Skills for Emotions (EASE) Program, developed by the WHO, took place from July 17 to July 25, 2023. The program focuses on providing psychological intervention for adolescents aged 10-15 to en- hance emotion regulation, behavioral activation, and self-help skills. A supplementary protocol was established between the Ministry of Family and Social Services and the Mutlu Hayatlar İyilik ve Yardımlaş- ma Derneği (Happy Lives Kindness and Solidarity Association) for the construction of an 80-person Children’s Gated Community in Kahram- TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 443 anmaraş province, in alignment with the “Cooperation Protocol for the Construction of a Children’s Gated Community (ÇES) and Child Protec- tion First Response and Evaluation Unit (ÇOKİM) Service Building.” Activities Undertaken by “Children Are Safe” Teams On February 11, 2023, official correspondence was dispatched to relevant institutions outlining the initiatives concerning “children affected by the earthquake, whose relatives have not yet been reached, who are uniden- tified and/or unable to express themselves.” The instructions were to assess the risks and needs of these children and to monitor and follow up on them through the efforts of the Children Are Safe Teams. Con- sequently, directives were issued to conduct household visits for earth- quake-affected children in both the 10 provinces impacted by the earth- quake and in evacuation provinces. The goal was to ensure that children benefit from appropriate social service models tailored to their needs. Collaborating with the Ministry of Family and Social Services and UNICEF, “Children Are Safe” Teams were empowered to identify the risks and needs of children in a total of 20 provinces, based on the ‘Emer- gency Program for Earthquake-Stricken Children.’ To bolster the “Children Are Safe” Teams and address the individual risks and needs of earthquake-affected children, especially in terms of basic requirements and psychosocial well-being, an additional 53 per- sonnel were hired. They were tasked with carrying out psychosocial support activities to alleviate acute stress symptoms. As of November 2023, this initiative resulted in the monitoring of 5,029 children affected by the earthquake. Initiatives by Orphan Service Units Rigorous efforts were put forth to collect information on children who experienced parental loss, along with identifying individuals responsi- ble for their care and well-being. This was accomplished through field surveys conducted in temporary accommodation centers (tent cities, container cities, KYK dormitories, guesthouses, etc.) and through house- hold visits organized at their new residence addresses. Intensive efforts were made to assess protective and supportive meas- ures—covering care, shelter, education, counseling, and health—within 444 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS the framework of Child Protection Law No. 5395. The goal was to ensure that children experiencing parental loss primarily benefit from the foster family service model within their relatives or close-knit environments. Children determined not to require protective and supportive measures under Child Protection Law No. 5395 were directed towards alternative social service models, encompassing social and economic support, guid- ance, counseling, psychosocial support, and social assistance. Children affected by the disaster and who lost their parents were facili- tated to access free care support from private nurseries, day care centers, and children’s clubs, all supervised by the Ministry of Family and Social Services. As of November 2023, the Orphan Service Units conducted visits to 2,605 children and their families/caregivers who had lost parents due to the earthquake, carrying out professional interventions. In alignment with the Cooperation Protocol signed by the Turkish Red Crescent Society and the Ministry, collaborative efforts were established with the Red Crescent in the provinces of Adıyaman, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Adana, Osmaniye, Elazığ, Malatya, Diyarbakır, and Şanlıurfa for children who underwent parental loss. Approximately 900 children were supported within this framework. Children’s Centers in the Earthquake Zone Following the February 6 earthquake, Children’s Centers were activated through a cooperation protocol with the Suna and İnanç Kıraç Founda- tion. The purpose was to support children in temporary shelters within the earthquake zone and establish secure spaces fostering the well-be- ing of children aged 12-18, encouraging peer interaction. Kahramanmaraş-Pazarcık Children’s Center The Children’s Center in Kahramanmaraş-Pazarcık commenced op- erations on May 2, 2023. Events such as “Suna’s Daughters Well-Being Workshop,” “Walking and Map Workshop,” and “STEM Workshop with Girls” were organized. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 445 Hatay-Antakya Children’s Center The Hatay-Antakya Children’s Center began operations as of May 30, 2023. Activities like “Suna’s Daughters Well-Being Workshop,” “Walking and Map Workshop,” and “STEM Workshop with Girls” were conducted. Initiatives Undertaken to Reinforce Children’s Activity Areas Es- tablished in the Earthquake Zone. On July 20, 2023, a gathering convened with the active participation of civil society representatives and international organizations. The objec- tive was to craft age-appropriate spaces for children residing in tempo- rary accommodation centers (tent and container cities) across Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Malatya, Adıyaman, and Gaziantep provinces. The aim was also to fortify initiatives dedicated to addressing the trauma ex- perienced by these children. Extensive field visits were conducted in Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Malat- ya, Adıyaman, and Gaziantep provinces to observe the children’s activ- ity areas established in the earthquake zone and ascertain their unique needs. Innovative workshops were established to facilitate art, music, and theater activities for adolescents, with a strong emphasis on collabora- tive efforts for sports events. In collaboration with the non-governmental organization “Suna and İnan Kıraç Foundation,” a “Well-being Training” was orchestrated from September 11 to 16, 2023. The training aimed to enhance the skills of per- sonnel working in the earthquake zone specifically in their interaction with adolescents. This training is ongoing with the participation of ad- olescents. As part of the cooperation protocol with the Suna and İnan Kıraç Foun- dation, training on the “Trauma Sensitive Psychosocial Support Program for Adolescents (PERGEL-T),” designed with the involvement of “Suna’s Daughters,” was conducted. The training involved personnel working in container cities in Hatay, Adıyaman, Malatya, and Kahramanmaraş. The program is slated for implementation in 2024, with the active involve- ment of adolescents guided by trained personnel. 446 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS In line with the “Cooperation Protocol” inked between the Ministry of Family and Social Services and DeFacto Perakende Ticaret A.Ş., a year’s supply of seasonal clothing was dispatched to 5,000 children under pro- tection and care, significantly impacted by the earthquake by DeFacto, delivered to their specified addresses. Within the framework of the “Cooperation Protocol” between the Min- istry of Family and Social Services and Sinemasal Culture and Art Asso- ciation, an array of projects and social activities—especially those in the cultural and artistic realm—are collaboratively executed. The emphasis is on promoting the psychosocial, physical, and mental development of children and young people under protection and care, particularly those disadvantaged and affected by disasters. Dedicated culture, art, and ed- ucation centers were established in Samandağ, Defne, and Antakya, the regions significantly impacted by the earthquake. In accordance with the “Cooperation Protocol” between the Ministry of Family and Social Services and the Turkish Mothers’ Association, a spe- cialized children’s activity area was inaugurated for children and young people residing in tent cities established in the aftermath of the earth- quake. The initiative included the supply and distribution of books and toys to these areas. Support Services for the Disabled and the Elderly In response to two significant earthquake disasters that occurred on February 6, 2023, resulting in both material and emotional losses, a cri- sis desk was promptly established within the Ministry of Family and So- cial Services. This initiative aimed to address the needs and challenges faced by disabled and elderly citizens, recognizing them as segments more profoundly impacted by the earthquake compared to other mem- bers of society. From the onset of the earthquake, the crisis desk proactively engaged with organizations providing residential care services to disabled and elderly citizens in the affected region. The information received con- firmed that no disabled or elderly individuals under their care suffered fatalities or injuries attributable to the earthquake. To safeguard disabled and elderly citizens receiving services from res- idential care institutions affiliated with the Ministry in the earthquake TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 447 zone, as well as those in Adıyaman, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Malatya, and Gaziantep, swift measures were taken. These individuals were promptly relocated to institutions in different provinces as a precau- tionary measure. Subsequent to the issuance of a comprehensive report by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, the process of resettling the transferred disabled and elderly citizens to in- stitutions continued. Hospitalized citizens receiving treatment due to the earthquake under- went hospital visits, during which social investigations were conducted. Based on the findings of the social investigation report, elderly individ- uals were accommodated in nursing homes affiliated with the Ministry, while disabled individuals were placed in care institutions. Furthermore, the social review revealed disabled individuals benefitting from home care assistance and children supported by Social Economic Support assistance. In the earthquake-affected provinces of Adana, Osmaniye, Kahramanmaraş, and Mersin, day service centers provided accommo- dation services for disabled and elderly individuals. Services for the Hearing Impaired • A dedicated team of 120 sign language interpreters from the Minis- try of Family and Social Services, along with volunteer sign language interpreters from various non-governmental organizations and in- dividuals, mobilized in the field. Their goal was to establish faster communication with hearing-impaired individuals affected by the earthquake and address their immediate needs. Within this frame- work, hearing-impaired individuals were evacuated and placed in hotels and dormitories affiliated with KYK in different cities. • Essential supplies such as batteries, implant cables, and tents were provided to hearing-impaired citizens, and their implant applica- tions were documented. • Since the onset of the disaster, translation services have been consist- ently offered to meet the demands of hearing-impaired individuals affected by the earthquake. The goal is to facilitate communication with various institutions and organizations, ensuring their needs are met comprehensively. 448 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Support Hotline for the Disabled and the Elderly Affected by Earthquake • The needs of disabled and elderly citizens impacted by the earth- quake were efficiently addressed through the “Earthquake Support Line for Disabled and Senior Citizens.” The concerns forwarded to us were promptly resolved. Requests for essentials such as food, evacu- ation, institutional care, wheelchairs, hearing aids, etc., were received through the WhatsApp hotline. These requests were effectively ful- filled in collaboration with relevant institutions and organizations. Home Care Assistance • The social investigation process for severely disabled individuals, who receive home care assistance and have lost a family member or relative providing care, has been concluded. Disabled citizens identi- fied as needing inpatient care were placed under protection and care in our inpatient institutions. Disabled individuals who lost a relative and expressed a preference for care from a family member continued to receive support through home care assistance. Care and Rehabilitation Support for the Disabled and the Elderly Affected by the Earthquake The “Care and Rehabilitation Support Project for the Disabled and the Elderly Affected by the Earthquake,” conducted in partnership with UNDP, aims to offer care, rehabilitation, and psychosocial support to disabled and elderly citizens in need, residing with their families in con- tainer cities in the earthquake zone. As part of the project: • Fully equipped, six-bed capacity care and rehabilitation units, fea- turing accessible wet areas (WC, bathroom), have been established in designated container cities in Adıyaman and Kahramanmaraş. Day care and rehabilitation services are provided for disabled and elderly individuals. • In each care and rehabilitation unit, six care staff, one psychologist, one nurse, and one physiotherapist visit disabled and elderly citi- zens in need, both in daytime units and in the containers where they TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 449 reside. They offer the necessary care and rehabilitation, guidance, counseling, and psychosocial support services. • Additionally, personal care materials needed by disabled and el- derly individuals and support technologies required for their in- dependence (walker, crutches, white cane, wheelchair, hearing aid, etc.) were provided. Initiatives for Establishing Accessible Spaces in Container Cities In collaboration with the 65+ Elder Rights Association, a total of 60 toi- lets and bathrooms suitable for disabled and elderly individuals were installed in the container cities of Kahramanmaraş, Adıyaman, and Hatay provinces, with six facilities in each province. Services for Families of Martyrs and Veterans Following the February 6 earthquakes, a meticulous assessment of the conditions and living situations of the relatives of martyrs, veterans, and the families of veterans impacted by the earthquake was conducted through the coordination of 81 provincial directorates. The comprehen- sive field research revealed that a total of 2,043 individuals, comprising 903 relatives of martyrs and 1,141 veterans and their families, were af- fected by the earthquake. 450 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Among these individuals, 283 people, including 137 relatives of martyrs and 146 veterans and their families, needed to relocate to different prov- inces for health and shelter reasons. Adequate support was promptly provided by tracking and assisting them in their new locations. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 451 Teams visited the relatives of martyrs, veterans, and their families in hospitals within container and tent cities, as well as in the provinces where they were transferred for shelter. Psychosocial support was ex- tended during these visits, addressing the needs of those in distress. Angel Faces Respite Houses In collaboration with the Down Syndrome Federation, six “Angel Fac- es Respite Houses” were established in Malatya, Adıyaman, Elazığ, Ga- ziantep, and Şanlıurfa. Aligned with the “Angel Faces Respite Houses” project, these facilities aim to bring comfort to families of children and young people with special needs (Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, etc.). The project also supports families affected by the earthquake by providing specialized education and diverse opportunities tailored to the skills of these indi- viduals throughout the day. Initiatives for Women’s Economic Empowerment in the Earth- quake Zone Entrepreneurial Workshops for Women in Earthquake-Affected Areas New service units were established, offering support to entrepreneurial women to aid them in rebuilding their lives after the earthquake, miti- gating the negative impacts of destruction, and contributing to their so- cio-economic empowerment. 452 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS • With the collaboration of women’s cooperatives from across the country, nine workshops were established in tent and container cit- ies—two in Gaziantep, five in Malatya, and one each in Adıyaman and Kahramanmaraş. • To date, seven of these workshops that are currently in operation have managed to reach approximately 700 women affected by the earthquake. • Workshops equipped with sewing machines, carpet and rug looms were set up to produce urgent necessities like sheets, pillowcases, and t-shirts. Additionally, spaces dedicated to knitting, jewelry de- sign, and wood painting were established to further diversify oppor- tunities for the women involved. • Women, equipped with sewing and embroidery skills acquired through workshops led by expert instructors, generously supported fellow earthquake victims by fulfilling their essential needs. • The workshops were strategically aligned with active women’s co- operatives situated in close proximity to the earthquake-affected provinces. This approach is designed to not only boost production capacities but also foster long-term economic empowerment among women. • Efforts were made to establish collaborations with the private sector and international organizations, aiming to provide support to wom- en’s cooperatives located in earthquake-affected provinces facing negative impacts. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 453 Women’s Empowerment through Cooperatives Project In cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the “Wom- en’s Empowerment through Cooperatives Project” is being implemented in 30 provinces (Istanbul, Kırklareli, Çanakkale, İzmir, Muğla, Afyonka- rahisar, Bursa, Kocaeli, Ankara, Konya, Antalya, Adana, Hatay, Aksaray, Sivas, Karabük, Sinop, Çorum, Artvin, Erzurum, Kars, Malatya, Van, Ga- ziantep, Diyarbakır, Mardin, Bitlis, Batman, Isparta and Eskişehir) as of September 15, 2021, with the aim of strengthening women’s coopera- tives, ensuring their sustainability, improving their institutional capaci- ty, increasing their visibility and disseminating them. The project comprises five components and incorporates 20 key activi- ties, encompassing: • Services and Trainings for the Target Group, • Institutional Capacity Development, • Awareness Raising, Scientific and Technical Studies, • Coordination and Cooperation. 454 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS To enhance coordination and cooperation among women’s cooperatives operating in Gaziantep and Hatay, both earthquake-affected provinces, a Local Stakeholder Meeting was convened. Consultancy services were extended to women’s cooperatives in Diyar- bakır, covering areas such as product development and food safety. A comprehensive Women and Cooperative Training Program was organ- ized for relevant public institutions, universities, and NGOs, including those from surrounding provinces. In Adana and Diyarbakır, a training program was conducted for women aspiring to become cooperative partners. Ongoing consultancy services were provided to women’s cooperatives in Adana, Diyarbakır, Hatay, Malatya, and Gaziantep, focusing on aspects like product development and food safety. Marketing Network Development Meetings convened in Adana, Gazian- tep, and Diyarbakır, where local governments, representatives from the private sector, e-commerce, and women’s cooperatives collaborated to establish a cooperative network. Young Women Building Their Future Project The “Young Women Building Their Future Project,” carried out by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Sabancı Foundation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Family and Social Services and the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. The project commenced on De- cember 3, 2021, and is planned to run for three years. The project aims to address the challenges faced by young women not in employment, education or training (NEET), make their needs mor visi- ble, and establish mechanisms to tackle these problems and needs. The target demographic for the project includes NEET women aged 18- 29, with a priority given to the 18-24 age group, across 11 pilot provinc- es: Adana, Ankara, Bursa, Diyarbakır, Erzurum, Istanbul, Izmir, Konya, Mardin, Trabzon, and Van. Once again, comprehensive field research was conducted to assess the current situation and identify needs in Izmir, Diyarbakır, and Adana, the designated pilot provinces for the project. In response to the insights TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 455 gleaned from the field research, training initiatives were initiated, bene- fiting a total of 735 individuals. Simultaneously, as part of the project, General Trauma Information Group Studies were conducted with 172 NEET women (neither in edu- cation nor in employment) aged between 18-29, directly affected by the earthquake. These studies took place between April and May 2023 in the provinces of Adana, Diyarbakır, and Izmir. Efforts to Combat Violence Against Women in the Earthquake Zone Included Various Initiatives: • Online groups were established by the Violence Prevention and Mon- itoring Center (ŞÖNİM), situated in the earthquake-affected area, to obtain real-time information about the daily needs and current situ- ations of women. • The application of electronic handcuffs and the implementation of confidentiality decisions were monitored in collaboration with the General Directorate of Security to ensure the ongoing safety of wom- en receiving services from institutions. • ŞÖNİM personally reached out to citizens subject to confidentiali- ty and electronic handcuff decisions, providing individualized fol- low-up on their situations. • Official letters were sent to AFAD, the General Directorate of Social Assistance, the General Directorate of Information Technologies, the General Directorate of Legal Services, the Department of Inter- nal Audit, 81 provincial governorships, 81 provincial directorates, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Justice, and the General Com- mand of Gendarmerie. These letters outlined solution proposals for individuals under confidentiality decisions, including technical methods of surveillance, and aimed to ensure the continuous provi- sion of ŞÖNİM services. • To mitigate disruptions caused by damages to ŞÖNİM buildings in Adıyaman and Hatay provinces, container and furnishing support was provided for each province through collaboration with UNFPA. • Collaborating with UNHCR and UN Women organizations, ŞÖNİM organizations in 11 provinces received furnishing support. 456 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS • To consistently deliver the “Seminar Program on Combating Domes- tic Violence” to those with preventive measures taken against them and to enhance the program’s reach, the ASBU Psychology Depart- ment conducted the “Domestic Violence Combating Seminar Practi- tioner Training” for staff members. • A proposal was submitted to the 2024-2026 Presidential Investment Program for the establishment of women’s guesthouses in Malatya, Hatay, and Adıyaman provinces. • UNICEF contributed toy kits to 112 women’s shelters, including those in the earthquake-affected areas, delivering these kits to the shelters. • Between March 22-24, 2023, Psychological First Aid training was conducted for ŞÖNİM and women’s shelter staff across all 81 prov- inces, commencing with the 11 earthquake-affected provinces. Ap- proximately 500 individuals participated in the training. • Solution Focused Therapy training sessions were organized for ŞÖNİM and Women’s Shelter professional staff from April 10-12, 2023, with the participation of approximately one hundred people. • A training program focused on preventing violence against women has been developed in collaboration with UNFPA. • As part of the Self-Assessment Studies (Field Visits), visits were con- ducted in the provinces of Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Malatya, and Kahra- manmaraş. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 457 Initiatives to Combat Early and Forced Marriages • To raise awareness and undertake protective and preventive activi- ties against early and forced marriages, an official letter was issued to inform the public in all 81 provinces, emphasizing activities in the field of “combating early and forced marriages,” with a special focus on education, vocational training, participation in women’s cooper- 458 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS atives, and employment Through these efforts, a total of 170,000 in- dividuals were reached. • Considering the low rate of official marriages according to TurkStat data, an official letter was issued instructing provinces without a provincial action plan to combat early and forced marriages (Adana, Adıyaman, Elazığ, Malatya, Osmaniye) to develop an urgent action plan, given the potential increase in early and forced marriages after disasters and emergencies. Consequently, Provincial Action Plans to Combat Early and Forced Marriages have been implemented in the provinces of Adana, Adıyaman, Elazığ, Malatya, and Osmaniye. • A training session on supporting Provincial Action Plans for Com- bating Early and Forced Marriages was organized in Ankara from September 4-6, 2023, with the participation of 100 individuals from 28 provinces (Adana, Adıyaman, Afyonkarahisar, Ağrı, Aksaray, Antalya, Ardahan, Bitlis, Diyarbakır, Edirne, Elazığ, Hatay, Iğdır, İz- mir, Gaziantep, Kahramanmaraş, Kars, Kilis, Malatya, Mardin, Muş, Nevşehir, Niğde, Osmaniye, Siirt, Urfa, Van, and Yozgat). TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 459 460 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS International Organizations and Social Support Overseas In the aftermath of the 7.7 and 7.6 magnitude earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş and affecting 10 provinces, a team was established to organize aid from abroad. In this context, necessary referrals were made to the contact line and e-mail address received from other countries, in- ternational non-governmental organizations that do not operate in our country and our citizens living abroad and to the aid offers directed from AFAD, and coordination was ensured by working 24/7 on a shift basis. Immediate contact was established with international organizations, such as the United Nations Women (UN Women), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Popula- tion Fund (UNFPA), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations De- velopment Program (UNDP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Food Program (WFP). Urgent needs were communicated to these organizations promptly. Following the international aid appeal and the acceptance of in-kind aid by the country, a coordination meeting was promptly organized with the Ministry and international organizations operating within the country. The objective was to organize the support they could provide. An ex- haustive list detailing both immediate and long-term plans, in addition to the identified urgent needs, was created and shared with internation- al organizations. The Ministry communicated the urgent needs of the earthquake-affected regions to international organizations, reinforcing the call for support. Through ongoing periodic meetings with international organizations, the lists of needs were continually updated, ensuring real-time adjust- ments based on met needs and emerging requirements. The coordina- tion process with international organizations on this matter was dili- gently monitored and managed. Projects As Part of the Flash Appeal In response to Türkiye’s flash appeal regarding the earthquake, the Unit- ed Nations promptly allocated a resource of US$ 1 billion on February 16, 2023. The planned utilization of this resource involves its transfer to TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 461 United Nations (UN) organizations and expenditure for earthquake vic- tims through collaboration with NGOs and the general public. The United Nations has meticulously distributed the allocated resource across various sectors. The fund is expected to be employed for urgent needs through projects established in coordination with United Nations Agencies, which operate within the scope of duties of the Ministry of Family and Social Services. The Ministry is actively involved as a public partner in the following five areas: • “Emergency Shelter and Non-Food Products” • “Protection” • “Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance and Social Protection” • “Coordination” • “Health and Nutrition” The initial collaboration took place with the Protection Sector. The Pro- tection Sector falls under the purview of the United Nations High Com- missioner for Refugees. Following the publication of the Flash Appeal for Assistance and the sector distribution, representatives from the Pro- tection Sector were contacted, and collaboration was decided upon for the assistance to be provided in this field. Within the Protection Sector, a range of activities includes psychosocial support in the field, comple- mentary service models, case management for individual support, vari- ous forms of assistance for vulnerable groups (children, disabled, elder- ly, etc.), expansion of individual assistance programs for refugees in the country, evacuation of children in the earthquake zone to safe areas, con- struction of safe and child-friendly areas, and meeting the needs of earth- quake victims in remote rural areas with challenging transportation. Regular meetings with representatives from the mentioned sectors have been agreed upon. Participation in these meetings aims to provide detailed information about the site and involve all stakeholders in the conservation sector in the process of meeting needs. These meetings include the participation of all NGOs and international organizations operating under the UN umbrella in the field. They are informed about organizational activities, and their efforts are directed toward the neces- sary areas. 462 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Alongside the previously mentioned meetings, a face-to-face workshop was convened in Gaziantep on May 10-11, 2023, with the participation of protection sector representatives from international organizations. The aim was to identify, coordinate, and address the current needs in earth- quake zones. The workshop was structured around individual protec- tion interventions, communication with communities and community participation, special needs/vulnerable groups, and technical discussion sessions on thematic areas. Subsequent to the mentioned workshop, online meetings were conducted every two weeks with representatives from the protection sector and relevant NGOs. Social Work Activities Conducted with United Nations Agencies in the Context of the Earthquake United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) UNICEF is the UN agency responsible for water, sanitation, hygiene, nu- trition, and education in emergencies. To date, UNICEF has provided support on the following issues: • Family Hygiene Kits: Delivery of 29,480 family hygiene kits to the field. • Child Hygiene Kit: Delivery of 3,000 additional family hygiene kits. • Baby Hygiene Kit: Delivery of 3,000 additional family hygiene kits. • Winter Clothes for Babies (0-12 months): 1,500 units were deliv- ered. • Winter Clothes (9 years old): 420 units were delivered. • Sleeping Bag: 1,000 units were delivered. • Power Bank: 1,000 units were delivered. • Canopy Bed: 1,000 units were delivered. • Temporary Social Service Center Tent: One unit was delivered. • Activity Tent: 25 tents were set up for psychosocial support are- as. Tents were set up in Antakya (2), İskenderun (2), Kırıkhan (2), Adıyaman (3), Samandağ (1), Hassa (1), Kahramanmaraş (4), Gazian- tep (2), Malatya (5), Diyarbakır (1), Osmaniye (1) and Şanlıurfa (1). TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 463 • Activity Tent Furniture: 26 units have been completed. • Activity Tent Activity Material: 52 units have been completed. • PSS Tent: One unit was delivered. • Vehicle Support: 30 vehicles were put into service for psychosocial support services in the field. • PSS Brochures: 810,000 pieces were delivered. • Coats and Vests: The transfer of TRY 1,837,190.00 for 1,200 vests and jackets was completed on February 22, 2023. • Blankets: Delivery of 20,000 blankets has been completed. • Employment of Clinical Psychologists: Recruitment of 10 person- nel for the 183 hotline, with personnel starting to work in the field. • Employment of Psychosocial Staff: Employment of five psychoso- cial personnel to work in the provinces affected by the earthquake, who have commenced their duties. • Orientation Program for Personnel Working in Child-Friendly Areas: Completion of an orientation program with the participation of 50 personnel, organized as a result of negotiations with UNICEF. World Food Program (WFP) WFP is the UN organization responsible for the food and logistics sector. WFP provided support based on interviews conducted at vari- ous levels: • Food Parcels: A request for 221,968 food packages weekly from WFP, with the indication that dry food packages could be sent to the earth- quake-affected regions. • Hatay (36,698 parcels) • Kahramanmaraş (64,280 parcels) • Adıyaman (52,610 parcels) • Malatya (21,653 parcels) • Adana (8,474 parcels) 464 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS • Osmaniye (8,068 parcels) • Gaziantep - Islahiye (15,185 parcels) • Gaziantep - Nurdağı (15,000 parcels) WFP representatives stated that 110,000 boxes of food packages could be provided, prioritizing the most damaged provinces. Completion of the delivery of a total of 110,000 parcels, distributed as 30,720 to Adıyaman, 2,560 to Gaziantep, 46,080 to Hatay, and 30,640 to Kahramanmaraş, by April 17, 2023. Shipment of an additional 2,560 food parcels to Osmaniye. • Tent for Mobile Social Market, Prefabricated Building for Social Assistance and Solidarity Foundation (SYDV) Office, Logistic Support: The World Food Program expressed its capability to pro- vide support for mobile warehouses and transportation. In this con- text, 50 tents (32*10 and 24*10 meters) for mobile social markets, 50 prefabricated structures for SYDV warehouses and office areas, and at least 18 trucks to support the transfer of domestic aid between warehouses (for 15 transfers and three mobile markets) were re- quested. • Tents: Among the tents intended for the social market, eight have been delivered, with three sent to Hatay province and five sent to Kahramanmaraş province. Installations have been completed for these tents. • Prefabricated Buildings: It was requested that 14 of the 24 prefabricated buildings be erected in Hatay and 10 in Adıyaman. As of April 10, 2023, 14 disaster prefabricated units planned for Hatay were installed and delivered at three different locations. By April 17, 2023, the installation of the remaining 10 prefabricated buildings in Adıyaman was completed. United Nations Development Program (UNDP) • “Care and Rehabilitation Support Project for the Disabled and the Elderly Affected by the Earthquake” in Cooperation with UNDP • The project aimed to provide care and rehabilitation servic- es to disabled and elderly citizens staying with their fami- lies in tent cities or container cities in the earthquake zone. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 465 Psychosocial support services were also provided to them and their families. • Each care and rehabilitation unit employed care personnel, psychologists, nurses, and physiotherapists. Two lift vehi- cles were rented for the transportation of disabled and el- derly individuals. The first rented chauffeured vehicle was delivered to Adıyaman province, and the second one was delivered to Kahramanmaraş province. • Additionally, within the project’s scope, personal care ma- terials needed by disabled and elderly individuals and sup- port technologies required for their independence (walker, crutches, white cane, wheelchair, hearing aid, etc.) were pro- vided. World Health Organization (WHO) • Training: • Psychological First Aid Refresher Training for Children: A total of 913 personnel participated in the training held on March 6 and 16, 2023. • Consult an Expert Sessions: Sessions were conducted be- tween March 14 and April 7, 2023, with attendance from 883 psychosocial support personnel. Furthermore, 172 person- nel from Kahramanmaraş and 166 personnel from Hatay participated in “face-to-face employee support sessions” held in Kahramanmaraş and Hatay on April 2 and 9, 2023. • “Thematic expert consultation sessions” took place on May 2 and May 15, 2023, with the participation of 203 personnel. • Between June 12 and June 17, 2023, “face-to-face employee support sessions” were attended by a total of 317 personnel, held in Adıyaman, Malatya, and Gaziantep provinces. • Commencing on May 8, 2023, Self-Help and More Trainings were initiated in Ankara. A comprehensive training pro- gram was provided to 200 personnel, including the group that continued during the week of June 19. International Organization for Migration (IOM) The International Organization for Migration (IOM), expressing its com- 466 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS mitment to meeting in-kind aid needs on the earthquake emergency list, delivered 35,000 blankets on February 21-22, 2023, along with 96,000 bed linen sets and 10,000 mattresses on February 23, 2023. A meeting was arranged with the International Organization for Migra- tion to discuss psychosocial support, and evaluations were conducted regarding support areas. IOM established teams to collaborate with the Ministry of Family and Social Services for the implementation of psy- chosocial support and protection activities in the earthquake-affected region. Operating in Gaziantep, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Adıyaman, Malatya and Şanlıurfa, IOM psychosocial support and protection teams have been deployed. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Covered by UNHCR: Power banks: 1,500 power banks were delivered. Rubb halls: We received one Rubb hall each for use in Hatay, Kahraman- maraş, and Adıyaman. Family tent: For use in the 10 provinces affected by the earthquake, 115 family tents were delivered to us. Hygiene kit: 5,000 hygiene kits, Vacuum bottle: 2,000 vacuum bottles from the UNHCR, Incontinence products: 1,127,928 women’s and men’s incontinence products for the disabled and the elderly, Diapers: 483,242 diapers, Sanitary pads: 100,000 sanitary pads were sent to designated organi- zations. United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Power banks: 510 power banks were delivered to the Ministry of Family and Social Services by UNFPA. Female hygiene kits: 1,000 female hygiene kits arrived in Adıyaman on March 10, 2023. In addition, due to the urgent need in the field, 350 more female hygiene kits were delivered to Hatay on April 27, 2023. Mother-Child Kit: 500 kits were delivered to Adıyaman. Container and furnishing: During the negotiations, UNFPA was re- TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 467 quested to provide Violence Prevention And Monitoring Centers with con- tainers or prefabricated buildings for service in Adıyaman and Hatay and to furnish these structures. UNFPA completed the purchase and furnishing of four containers for the re-establishment of two Violence Prevention And Monitoring Centers in Adıyaman and Hatay on May 29, 2023. For these con- tainers, 16 desks, 16 study chairs, 16 guest chairs, eight document cabinets, 16 laptops, four printers, and four air conditioners were purchased. Staff support: As of May 15, 2023, UNFPA recruited nine personnel to en- hance the service delivery capacity of two Violence Prevention And Moni- toring Centers in Adıyaman and Hatay. Educational support: UNFPA decided to provide training on “Combating Violence Against Women in Emergencies” for personnel working in 11 prov- inces affected by the earthquake. Prior to the commencement of provincial training sessions, three-day pilot trainings were conducted at the central level. The center training saw active participation from a total of 47 individ- uals. United Nations Women (UN WOMEN) 2,500 towels (for body) were delivered. Funding for some of the essential requirements was sourced from the afore- mentioned one-billion-dollar budget, while others were secured from the existing budgets of the UN agencies involved. In-kind Donations Warehouses were established in 18 provinces, facilitating the distribution of in-kind aid received from international, corporate, and individual donors. This operation involved 741 personnel and 18 ASYA vehicles. • For international in-kind donations arriving in Türkiye following the disaster, 16 International Aid Reception and Shipment Warehouses were established, with five in Ankara, four in Istanbul, two in Edirne, one in Artvin, one in Şırnak, two in Mersin, and one in Tekirdağ. The active shipment and redirection of international in-kind donations continued from the main buffer warehouses in Kayseri, Adana and Gaziantep. • Disaster Area and Main Buffer Reception and Shipment Warehouses = 72 468 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS • Total Number of Social Markets Established in Earthquake Regions = 206 • Number of Social Markets Established in Provinces Outside the Earth- quake Zone = 94 • Social Market and Mobile Social Market Trucks were deployed to meet the urgent basic needs of citizens. A total of 206 Social Markets were es- tablished in earthquake-affected regions, including four 1,500 m² Social Markets (two in Kahramanmaraş, one in Malatya, one in Hatay), and two 750 m² Social Markets in Osmaniye. Additionally, 94 Social Markets were set up in provinces outside the earthquake zone. • 14 Mobile Social Market Trucks (five in Malatya, two in Hatay, five in Kah- ramanmaraş, and two in Adıyaman) were deployed and operated until June 30, 2023. ASYA vehicle teams facilitated daily transportation of in-kind aid to the dis- aster area from three in-kind donation depots in Adana province. Military planes, helicopters at Adana İncirlik Air Base, and Şakirpaşa coast guard hel- icopters were utilized for this purpose. The total number of transferred air- craft reached 487, including 445 helicopters and 42 aircraft. It was identified that 3.3 million earthquake victims had relocated to 70 prov- inces and districts outside the disaster area. Social assistance was extended to approximately 290,000 households outside the disaster area. • Throughout the operation, a total of 33,739 trucks loaded with aid mate- rials were delivered to the disaster area and logistics ASYA warehouses, distributing 464.5 million essential items. Following disasters and emergencies, collaboration with non-governmental organizations played a critical role in society’s recovery process. This collabo- ration proved vital for overcoming the acute effects of the disaster, conducting post-disaster psychosocial studies, and facilitating social recovery processes. Consequently, “Cooperation Protocols” were established between the Minis- try of Family and Social Services and non-governmental organizations, aim- ing to address the needs of citizens affected by the earthquake. The protocols encompassed the provision of psychosocial support services, activities for children and young people in tent cities, and the establishment of child and family-friendly centers in earthquake zones. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 469 Building upon these protocols, the “Earthquake Zone NGO Training and Case Workshop” took place in Kahramanmaraş from November 30 to December 2, 2023. The event, attended by a total of 200 people, includ- ed participants from international organizations. Within the workshop, titled “Case,” focus group studies were conducted in the following six areas: family, child, disabled, women, elderly, and social assistance. Beyond the social services mentioned earlier, the Türkiye Diyanet Foun- dation organized Ramadan festivals for children by setting up iftar tents at 11 different locations in five provinces during the month of Rama- dan. Eid clothes, gift packages, and holiday allowances were distrib- uted to 20,000 children during Ramadan Feast. From the onset of the earthquake until the present date, the Religious Information Platform addressed 15 questions regarding “Foster Families,” 85 questions about “Nursing Mothers for Earthquake Survivor Babies,” and 293 questions about “Zakat for Earthquake Survivors” in written form. Additionally, religious information was provided via telephone and face-to-face inter- actions. In collaboration with the Danish Turkish Islamic Foundation, the Gen- eral Directorate of Religious Services, and the Provincial Mufti’s Youth Coordinatorships, the “We Build Homes Project” was implemented for earthquake survivors residing in 12 provinces (Bursa, Adıyaman, Os- maniye, Kilis, Gaziantep, Hatay, Diyarbakır, Şanlıurfa, Elazığ, Malatya, Kahramanmaraş, Adana). Within the scope of the “Let’s Heal Together” project implemented by the Berlin Family and Social Services Consultancy for our citizens who came to Berlin from the earthquake zone by benefiting from the special visa granted by Germany, psychosocial support seminars for adults and children’s workshops for youngsters and a cinema event were organized. The topics covered included the effects of disaster, trauma, mourning process, recovery after trauma, family and children. 45 earthquake vic- tims participated in the event. 470 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS 5.15. Efforts in the Field of Media and Communication TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 471 Activities Conducted under the Coordination of the Directorate of Communications Coordination Efforts with Relevant Institutions The Directorate of Communications orchestrated various activities and services for media members and earthquake victims in the earthquake region, ensuring coordination with public institutions. The primary ef- forts in these initiatives include: • Accreditation was arranged for national media personnel traveling from Istanbul to the affected region, and their transportation was or- ganized. Coordination was established with relevant institutions to assist international media representatives arriving from abroad, of- fering hosting services when shooting permissions were necessary. • A daily activity report titled “Works Conducted Within the Scope of Kahramanmaraş Pazarcık and Elbistan Earthquakes” was compiled, outlining earthquake-related activities carried out by the Directorate of Communications in collaboration with TRT and Anadolu Agency. • Adopting a 24/7 working principle from the onset of the disaster, permanent personnel were assigned to the Directorate of Communi- cations and AFAD Disaster Coordination Center. • The TAMP Disaster Communication Working Group was activated, ensuring continuous data flow with high-level coordination among institutions. Ongoing and urgent communication was facilitated with all relevant public institutions, Turkish Red Crescent, TRT, and Anadolu Agency within the framework of TAMP. Information flow was maintained through AFAD, GAMER, SAKOM, AYDES, MSB, Turkish Red Crescent, Ministry of Family and Social Policies, Minis- try of Transport and Infrastructure, National Intelligence Organiza- tion, EGM Anti-Cyber Crimes Department, and municipalities. This data flow facilitated the preparation of up-to-date information notes and press releases. • Crisis communication activities were conducted with high-level co- ordination among institutions concerning the disaster. Information flow was established between TAMP working groups, and the public was informed about notifications regarding rescue efforts, shelter and aid issues in the disaster area. 472 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS • Within the framework of discourse unity initiatives, the concept of the “Disaster of the Century” was disseminated. • Necessary coordination was ensured to maintain unity of discourse between AFAD, GAMER, SAKOM, and Turkish Red Crescent infor- mation notes and statements. Coordination of Data/Discourse/Action/Measure under 26 Head- ings Data, discourse, actions, and measures were coordinated with MİT, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Family and Social Services, Ministry of Health, Ministry of National Defense, EGM, AFAD, Migration Manage- ment Authority, and Turkish Red Crescent through reports under 26 headings. Moreover; • Assistance was extended to coordinate evacuation requests in the disaster-stricken area. • Food distribution points, health centers, fueling stations, and accom- modation centers communicated to the Directorate of Communica- tions were verified through official channels. Accurate information was disseminated through both national and local channels. • The unity of discourse was reinforced among official statements, in- formation notes, and press releases from various institutions. • Needs and demands were gathered via social media channels and forwarded to the AFAD in-kind aid warehouse. • The names of disaster and earthquake experts sourced from AFAD were shared with the media, enabling these experts to contribute to activities aimed at providing accurate information to the public. • Content that could potentially hinder the activities of public institu- tions was identified and removed from media outlets. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 473 Coordination of Data/Discourse/Action/Measure under 26 Headings NO File name 1 Crisis Communication Activities 2 Strategic Communication Activities 3 Mainstream Media Discourse Analysis 4 Social Media Reflections Report 5 Twitter Reflections 6 Instagram Reflections 7 YouTube Reflections 8 TikTok Reflections 9 International Media Discourse Analysis 10 News Sites and Google Trends 11 Verification Cards 12 Post-Earthquake Allegations Report 13 Manipulative Allegations against Public Institutions and Organisations 14 Allegations against Migrants 15 Verification Platforms Report 16 Chronology of Allegations Report 17 Reaction Analysis of the 10 Most Engaged Disinformative Content 18 Earthquake Manipulation Activities of Threatening Groups 19 Public Opinion Research Report 20 Earthquake Chronology 21 Official Statements 22 Condolences 23 Infographics 24 Miraculous Rescues 25 Celebrities' Twitter Posts 26 Earthquake Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) Activities 474 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS National Disaster Communication Plan The Directorate of Communications and AFAD Türkiye Disaster Re- sponse Plan Communication Group acted as primary solution partners. In this context, efforts were undertaken as part of the National Disaster Communication Plan to ensure a healthy process during and after the disaster. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 475 Coordination of Visits by Famous Artists and Athletes to the Dis- aster Area As part of the “We are with you, Türkiye” campaign, coordination for the visit program organized by the Directorate of Communications in Feb- ruary-March 2023, with the participation of numerous well-known fig- ures from the arts and sports communities, was successfully managed. Regional directorates of the Directorate of Communications provided support to visitors on various issues, with a focus on hospitality. With- in the program, 23 groups of artists and numerous athletes visited the region, engaging with earthquake victims in container and tent cities, distributing gifts, and playing games with children. The reporting of these visits by TRT News and Anadolu Agency report- ers and the coordination of teams returning from the region after com- pleting their visits were effectively managed. Notable personalities who visited the region included Züleyha Ortak, singer and TRT Music Programmer from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Beste Korkmaz, fashion designer and soloist, and actress Den- iz Akkaya, among others. 476 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 477 Stratcom Hackathon 2023 (Sch23): National Disaster Communica- tion Exercise The Presidency’s Directorate of Communications bears the duties and responsibilities of “formulating policies on strategic communication and crisis management, and ensuring coordination among all public institutions and organizations in activities conducted nationally and internationally within this context.” To effectively carry out these re- sponsibilities, the “Stratcom Hackathon 2023 (Sch23): National Disas- ter Communication Exercise” took place in Ankara on April 29, 2023. This inter-institutional event focused on communication-oriented crisis management activities related to earthquakes. 478 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS SCH23, which had its planning activities initiated in January 2023 with- in the Stratcom Hackathon-CMX (Crisis Management Exercise) plat- form, took place at the end of April. It featured the participation of 45 representatives from eight public institutions and organizations, along with one association, after completing the Stratcom Academy Disaster Communication Training program. In its generic scenario, SCH23 served as a platform for discussing com- munication activity suggestions throughout the pre-disaster prepara- tion, disaster response, and post-disaster recovery periods, focusing on the theme of a high-intensity earthquake that could potentially occur in Türkiye. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 479 Strategic Communication Management Platform (SİYP)/“Strat- com Disaster Communication Training and Hackathon Nation- al Disaster Communication Exercise Evaluation and Suggestion Survey” and “Post-Earthquake Crisis Communication Survey” The Strategic Communication Management Platform (SİYP) was estab- lished to ensure efficient and rapid coordination among all public insti- tutions and organizations, aligning with the duties and responsibilities of the Directorate of Communications. It was designed as a constantly updatable structure. SİYP, an integral part of the Türkiye Communica- tion Model, creates a constantly updated, dynamic, and easily accessible bridge between public institutions and the Directorate of Communica- tions. This facilitates an ecosystem where the strategic communication needs of the public are met. Within the SİYP framework, user informa- tion was requested from over 100 public institutions and organizations, and user registration was incorporated into the system based on feed- back. An evaluation and suggestion survey were crafted within the framework of the “Stratcom Disaster Communication Training,” held on April 27- 28, 2023, and the “Stratcom Hackathon: National Disaster Communi- cation Exercise,” organized on April 29, 2023, both orchestrated by the Directorate of Communications. Additionally, a “Post-Earthquake Crisis Communication” survey was formulated to gather opinions and sugges- tions from stakeholders in crisis communication following the February 6 earthquakes. 480 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Fighting Disinformation Disinformation Bulletin (DMM) Disinformation news related to earthquakes centered in Kahraman- maraş were incorporated into the February and March 2023 issues of the Disinformation Bulletin released by the Presidency’s Directorate of Communications. Some of the claims addressed in a total of 21 bulletins published in February and 16 bulletins in March are as follows: • “Work machines going to the disaster area are being blocked.” • “Consulate General in Milan asks Italians to send donations to the Diyanet Foundation”, • “The aid team from Israel is kept waiting”, • “Hatay Airport was repaired by Ankara Metropolitan Municipality”, • “Just when it was time to pull the earthquake survivor out of the rub- ble, another team with cameras arrived and pulled out the survivor.”, • “AFAD registration will be required to benefit from support and oth- er facilities for earthquake victims”, • “The work of the Ahbap Platform is being blocked”, • “There was no earthquake aid from Arab countries”, • “Search and rescue operations are not carried out unless AFAD re- ceives a report that ‘the person is alive’”, • “In Antakya, where thousands of citizens died, bodies are buried with numbers instead of names”, • “Documents at the Directorate of Building Inspection in Hatay are being destroyed” etc. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 481 Reports on Disinformation Following the earthquakes on February 6, 2023, the Directorate of Com- munications conducted studies to identify and confirm disinformation activities that could negatively impact disaster management efforts, es- pecially on social media platforms. In this context, efforts were made to recognize and analyze earthquake-related claims in the media, and coordination was established with relevant public institutions to assess the accuracy of these claims. 482 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS The primary documents prepared and regularly updated concerning the earthquake within the scope of combating disinformation include: • Verification Cards Report • Allegation Report • Report on Allegations Against Immigrants • Verification Platforms Report • Chronology of Allegations • Disinformative Content Analysis Report • Report on Common Misconceptions About the Earthquake Disinformation Reporting Service Shortly after the major earthquake-related disaster, significant infor- mation pollution emerged that posed a threat to the lives of earthquake victims. The Disinformation Reporting Service was commissioned by the Directorate of Communications to combat disinformation alongside citizens. Citizens were able to download the application to their phones and report news they deemed suspicious or fake. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 483 AA Confirmation Hotline To prevent intense disinformation and manipulation in digital media, Anadolu Agency (AA) worked to provide the most accurate information to the public by confirming whether the claims about the earthquake were true or not through the AA Confirmation Hotline. The AA Confir- mation Hotline produced 278 pieces of content in the relevant period. Artificial Intelligence-Based Fake Account Analysis (SMAnalysis) TÜBİTAK Informatics and Information Security Advanced Technologies Research Center (WISE) Twitter analysis application has been deployed to counter disinformation and fraudulent activities involving fake ac- counts on social media. The application utilizes artificial intelligence to detect suspicious accounts and tweets that falsely claim to collect donations using the names of organizations such as AFAD, AKUT, and the Turkish Red Crescent, which are actively engaged in aid activities in the earthquake-affected region. The identified accounts are reported 484 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS to BTK, contributing significantly to the fight against disinformation on social media. To date, the application has analyzed over 2 million tweets on Twitter, removing “retweet” interactions and identifying nearly 400 suspicious tweets. The system has also been enhanced to detect bank accounts and crypto wallet addresses that are not approved by the gov- ernorship. Activities to Inform the Public Preparing Warnings and Informative Content for Citizens in the Earthquake Region and Sharing Them on Social Media The Directorate of Communications developed informative and warn- ing content for citizens in the earthquake zone, disseminating it through corporate social media accounts. Visual content was prepared for AFAD Emergency Situation Application Introduction and other AFAD data, food distribution locations by the Turkish Armed Forces, Ministry of Family and Social Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Min- istry of Health, Ministry of National Education, Presidency of Religious Affairs, and for similar information and warnings and they were an- nounced to the public through the social media accounts of the Directo- rate of Communications. Some of these are: “To The People in The Earthquake-Hit Areas “, “Min- istry of Family and Social Services Support Teams”, “AFAD Mobile Ap- plication”, “Earthquake Mobilisation of The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry”, “Turkish Soldiers Stand by Our Citizens”, “Diyanet Academy Centers Accommodation Info for Disaster”. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 485 486 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 487 488 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 489 News Production and Information Flow in the Post-Earthquake Period Anadolu Agency (AA) took charge of news production and informa- tion flow in the aftermath of the February 6 earthquakes. AA worked intensively to provide accurate information to the nation and the globe about the earthquake and its aftermath from 15 crisis points established across 10 provinces. A total of 328 AA personnel were deployed to re- gional provinces swiftly after the earthquake. To facilitate continuous coverage, 24/7 live broadcasts were conducted from earthquake zones using 19 4G live broadcast devices, 19 drones, and 1 live broadcast vehi- cle. In addition, AA produced 74,559 photographs, 9,424 videos, and 461 infographics related to the earthquakes. 13,946 photos and 3,734 vide- os covered search and rescue operations. 20,171 photos and 4,516 vide- os highlighted aid trucks and distribution. 4,974 photos and 934 videos showcased Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) operations. AA’s news coverage of the earthquake was translated into 13 languages. Anadolu Agency maintained an active presence on the X (Twitter) plat- form, which played a critical role in communication during the earth- quake. On Twitter, Anadolu Agency shared: 462 live posts on the rescue of earthquake victims, 561 posts related to aid convoys and 228 posts covering TAF/Mehmetçik operations. 490 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Effective Public Broadcasting During Earthquakes Despite challenging weather conditions, TRT Haber was the first news team to reach the earthquake zone. TRT’s relevant news units effectively mobilized their personnel, technical facilities, and equipment to report news from the region. Within this framework; • A total of 101 personnel, including reporters, cameramen, and an- nouncers, were deployed to the disaster-hit region on the first day. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 491 • Numerous live broadcast vehicles and 4.5G devices were dispatched to the affected provinces. • Field teams included reporters and cameramen from TRT Spor, TRT Avaz, and TRT Kürdi. • TRT channels switched to TRT Haber’s joint broadcast. • The 11 affected provinces were divided into three lines, each assigned a field coordinator. Coordinators managed news flow and attended to personnel needs in their respective areas. • TRT Haber provided real-time coverage, countering disinformation and presenting the state’s efforts during the initial moments of the earthquake. • Miraculous rescues during search and rescue operations were sen- sitively reported, reaching millions of viewers with language and visuals that reflected the urgency of the situation. News highlighted efforts to provide urgent needs, nutrition, and temporary shelter to earthquake victims, emphasizing the commitment to ensuring vic- tims were not left alone. • The catastrophic dimensions of the disaster were conveyed through impactful on-the-ground reporting. Environmental impacts of the earthquake were showcased, utilizing technological broadcasting capabilities. TRT Haber covered not only the disaster’s effects but also various aspects such as health, transportation, education, and environmental considerations, sharing insights into how the process was managed. • Coverage included economic steps, financial support for victims, and campaigns like “Türkiye Beats with One Heart” and “Let My Home Be Your Home.” • TRT Haber hosted relevant ministers, both from the region and the studio, to inform the audience about ongoing efforts and future plans for healing the earthquake’s impact. • TRT Haber extensively covered the efforts to revive the earth- quake-hit region after addressing immediate humanitarian needs and rescuing individuals from under the rubble. News teams provid- 492 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS ed real-time updates, informing the public about the construction stages of permanent housing. Ongoing developments in the earth- quake zone remained a consistent focus in the newsroom. News and publication plans included articles detailing measures aimed at revi- talizing social and economic life in the affected areas. The construc- tion process of permanent residences was meticulously followed, covering stages such as site selection, foundation laying, and con- struction progress on TRT Haber. Special publications highlighted earthquake victims finding new homes, shedding light on their ex- periences. • Coverage extended to preparations for elections in the earthquake region, including discussions on citizens’ voting processes and elec- tion results, featuring correspondent links and graphic news pack- ages. • Six months after the disaster, a special broadcast covered the ongo- ing projects, healing processes, and devastation caused by the earth- quakes, with news packages, links from provinces, and expert guests. TRT Haber demonstrated strong journalism, delivering exclusive news, feature articles, live links from critical moments, and maintaining sen- sitivity in public broadcasting since the first moment of the earthquake. Breaking News: Preparation for Sea Evacuation TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 493 BREAKING NEWS: WAVING TO HOPE Earthquake Survivor Rejoiced by Helicopter Aid Speaks to TRT News BREAKING NEWS: PRESIDENT IN EARTHQUAKE ZONE Erdoğan met with earthquake survivors in Pazarcık EXCLUSIVE: GOVERNORS ON DUTY IN EARTHQUAKE ZONE TRT Haber Witnessed the Governors’ Efforts to Heal the Wounds 494 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS THE WORLD’S FIRST EDUCATION SHIP: RAUF BEY 1,206 Students are Provided Boarding Education on Ship Anchored in İskenderun 6 MONTHS PASSED AFTER THE DISASTER OF THE CENTURY Live TV Program About the Works Done in the Field of Agriculture in the Earthquake Zone: The “Agriculture and Forestry Agenda” live broadcast program hosted experts and authorities in the main studio of the Ministry of Agriculture, providing information about ongoing work in the earthquake region. The program aired twice on the “Agriculture Forest Screen” broadcast day. Archived broadcasts are available on the WebTarimTV programs menu, which may be found at www.tarimtv.gov.tr (www.tarimtv.gov. tr/tr/videolar/tarim-orman-gundemi-124). The Ministry of Agriculture published 61 news reports on the earthquake zone on “www.youtube. com/tarimtv”, “https://twitter.com/tarimtv” and “www.facebook.com/ tarimtv.gov.tr” social media accounts. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 495 CİMER “Earthquake Emergency” Button Throughout the earthquake response, the state maintained coordina- tion across its institutions. The “Earthquake Emergency” button on the Presidential Communication Center’s (CIMER) website and mobile ap- plication, under the Directorate of Communication, served as a resource for citizens. GSM operators increased capacity, opened closed phone lines, and provided internet service to prevent regional citizens from be- ing victimized due to the earthquake. 496 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS CİMER Call Center The Directorate of Communications switchboard service and CİMER Call Center operated 24/7, providing support to citizens calling from the earthquake area. The Call Center received approximately 300 thousand calls by the end of May. In-depth application analysis studies led to the preparation of 56 reports, with an additional 37 Call Center Reports sys- tematically identifying problems and interventions in the earthquake zone. These reports were shared with competent authorities based on the calls received. Efforts for Members of the Press Accreditation and Press Tours The International Media Coordination Department staff from the Direc- torate of Communications quickly mobilized to Diyarbakır, Gaziantep, Adana, and Hatay provinces on the first day of the earthquake. During a 21-day mission, 1,325 international media members from 64 countries were accredited, facilitating media coverage in the earthquake zone. Filming and interview requests from media members in the earthquake zone were accommodated during this period. Press tours were organ- ized four times to Syria and four times to İncirlik Air Base, along with a ship providing shelter to earthquake victims. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 497 Establishing a Communication Tent (Caravan Type) A Caravan Type Communication Tent was set up in an area designated by the Malatya Metropolitan Municipality Fire Department and person- nel from the central units of the Directorate of Communication and Di- yarbakır Regional Directorate were assigned with a view determining the food, drink, shelter, equipment, internet access and other needs of the disaster-stricken journalists, citizens and local/foreign media members who were in the earthquake zone to follow the news in Malatya, where the earthquakes of February 6, 2023 caused a great destruction, and to immediately address the needs and requests of the disaster-stricken citi- zens that they communicated through CIMER (Earthquake Emergency) to all relevant institutions and organizations (AFAD, TRCS, Fire Depart- ment, 112 Emergency Call Center) and/or directly to them. Establishment of Press Centers/Caravans and Supply of Neces- sary Materials To meet the needs of local and international media members in earth- quake-affected provinces, a 24-hour working order was initiated at the Directorate of Communication headquarters and regional directorates in affected areas. Media members were supplied with necessary materi- als such as power banks, vacuum bottles, bags, cleaning materials, PPEs, and masks. Measures were taken to ensure that journalists without press cards could work comfortably in the field. For the convenience of international me- dia, temporary accreditation cards were issued, meetings were conduct- ed with national and international media representatives, and a Direc- torate of Communication Desk was established at Istanbul and Sabiha Gökçen airports, with personnel assigned to ensure smooth information flow. As part of the efforts, services were extended to media personnel at regional directorates in Adana, Diyarbakır, Gaziantep, and Şanlıurfa, as well as at the tent press center established in Kahramanmaraş and the AFAD Crisis Center in the İskenderun district of Hatay. Moreover, a total of 13 caravan-type vehicles—three each in Kahraman- maraş, Gaziantep, Adıyaman, and Hatay, and one in Malatya—were pro- vided to support the press members in their reporting. 498 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 499 500 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Media Regulations Following the earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş, the attention of both local and international media became concentrated on this particular region. In response, the Directorate of Communications initiated a swift and intensive activity to ensure accurate information dissemination to both the national and international public. The unit personnel, in addi- tion to those in the relevant regional directorates overseeing the earth- quake-affected provinces, conducted the following studies: · The authorities were briefed on the media members’ requests, and concerted efforts were made to find suitable solutions. · Media representatives received updates on the press statements made by ministers and officials actively involved in the affected region. · Constant communication was maintained with field-based me- dia personnel, and support was offered within the framework of measures designed to facilitate their work upon request. · Accompanied by the authorities, media members documented the damaged buildings, covered activities in tents, and partici- pated in the news production processes related to official engage- ments. Numerous meetings were convened with both national and international media representatives during this period. · Guidance and support were provided through television chan- nels, newspapers, and websites, fostering close communication and contact with media personnel in the field. · Media representatives on-site were granted access to broadcast from debris areas where search and rescue operations were un- derway, showcasing the government’s comprehensive response efforts. · Clear guidance was provided for reporting on aid and activities from both media entities and non-governmental organizations. · Detailed information was disseminated about the activities of non-governmental organizations operating in the earthquake zone, engaging in voluntary work and focusing on daily prede- termined topics. · To keep accredited international media members informed, a daily English press release was crafted and delivered in the earth- quake-affected region. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 501 502 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Legislative Regulations and Administrative Decisions Facilitat- ing and Supporting Media Members in the Earthquake Zone Immediate legislative measures and social assistance for media mem- bers were implemented by the Press Announcement Institution (BİK) in the aftermath of the earthquake. Aligned with the earthquake report, short-, medium-, and long-term recovery plans, predominantly focus- ing on economic aspects, have been put into effect for the local press in the affected region. To address the extensive aftermath of a disaster of this magnitude in a thorough and professional manner, we collaborated closely with relevant state institutions, striving to offer continuous sup- port to the affected region. Operating with 7 directorates and 36 personnel in the earthquake zone, BİK served 130 newspapers and approximately 700 press members across 10 provinces and districts severely impacted by the disaster. The organization, whose directorate buildings in Hatay and Kahramanmaraş were severely damaged, convened an extraordinary meeting of its Board of Directors on the first day of the earthquake and implemented the fol- lowing decisions to aid the press in the region. Resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Press Announcement Institution dated February 6, 2023: • Repayments of funds borrowed from BİK by press members in Kah- ramanmaraş, Adıyaman, Kilis, Şanlıurfa, Diyarbakır, Adana, Osmani- ye, Gaziantep, Malatya, and Hatay, severely affected by the earth- quakes centered in Kahramanmaraş, were deferred for 3 months. Subsequently, this period was extended to 5 months with monthly postponements. • It was decided that the receivables of periodicals in the region, arising from the publication of announcements and advertisements, would be included in the early payment plan, and the implementation of finalized offset and sanction decisions was suspended for 3 months. In a subsequent decision on this matter, the Board of Directors opted not to impose any sanctions, considering the grievances of the press organizations. • A delegation led by BİK Deputy General Manager was dispatched to the region to assess earthquake-related damages, losses, and issues faced by BİK service offices and personnel, local press, and press TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 503 members on-site. The delegation aimed to collect real field data forming the basis for studies to be conducted under AFAD’s coordi- nation to address the problems of the local press and press members. • The General Manager of the Press Announcement Institution was granted authority to take direct initiatives and measures to make swift decisions in response to the consequences of the earthquake’s impact in the region or potential developments. Resolutions Adopted at the General Assembly of the Press An- nouncement Institution with the Earthquake Agenda on Febru- ary 23, 2023: During its meeting on February 23, 2023, the General Assembly of the Press Announcement Institution made decisions related to providing fi- nancial support to newspapers in the earthquake zone, exempting news- papers from certain provisions of legislation, increasing the amount of money available for journalists’ loans, and postponing repayments. • The decision was made to allocate TRY 800,000, initially transferred to the Other Duties Fund, for distribution to newspapers in the prov- inces affected by the earthquakes. The distribution would be carried out in a manner determined by the Board of Directors, taking into account the situations of loss and damage. • Newspapers published in the 10 provinces within the earthquake zone would be granted an exemption from the provisions of the Reg- ulation on Official Advertisements and Advertising regarding mini- mum actual sales requirements until January 1, 2024. Furthermore, the application deadline for online news websites associated with these newspapers to publish official advertisements, initially set as March 31, 2023, would be extended until June 30, 2023. Additional- ly, the deadline for meeting the minimum traffic requirements, in- itially set as September 30, 2023, would be extended until January 1, 2024. Additionally, the Board of Directors was authorized to ex- tend the implementation period by 3 months or more if the impact of the earthquake persisted. During the final meeting of the year on December 26, 2023, the Board of Directors decided to extend the pe- riod by an additional 4 months in the provinces of Kahramanmaraş, Hatay, Malatya, Adıyaman, and Osmaniye, as well as the districts of Islahiye and Nurdağı in Gaziantep. 504 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS • An amendment to General Assembly Resolution No. 68 regarding loans and aids for individuals working in the press was decided as follows: “In cases of fire, earthquake, flood, and other disasters, the Board of Directors may increase the loan amount by up to two times and postpone installment repayments for up to 6 months, specifical- ly for the affected areas.” Postponement of Financial Obligations for Media Members Oper- ating in the Earthquake Region A decision was reached to defer the financial obligations of media ser- vice providers broadcasting in the 11 provinces affected by the February 6, 2023 earthquakes for one year. In this context, RTÜK made the follow- ing decisions: • The obligation to submit a commercial communication income declaration for the 2023 period was postponed to January 31, 2024. Broadcasters were required to declare their 12-month commercial TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 505 communication income for the 2023 period in a single declaration prepared by RTÜK. • For the 2023 period, the deadline for the payment of RTÜK contribu- tions was set as April 30, 2024. The obligations to submit a certified public accountant report and balance sheet and income statement for the 2022 and 2023 periods were revised to only require the sub- mission of the balance sheet and income statement for broadcasters in the earthquake zone. • The deadline for submitting the balance sheet and income statement for the 2022 period was set as June 30, 2024. • The deadline for RTÜK contribution payments for the October, No- vember, and December 2022 periods was set as January 20, 2024. • The deadline for the installment payment of the license fee accrued in 2023 was set as February 29, 2024. • The payment deadlines for the radio frequency/television channel usage fee in 2023 was rescheduled as follows: the January 2023 pay- ment was postponed to January 31, 2024; the April 2023 payment was postponed to April 30, 2024; the July 2023 payment was deferred until July 31, 2024, and the October 2023 payment was extended un- til October 31, 2024. • A decision was made to suspend the calculation of late payment in- terest for debts that were overdue and not subject to enforcement proceedings between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023. The calculation of late payment interest for these debts would resume as of January 1, 2024. Visits to Media Members in the Earthquake Region Following the earthquakes, delegations comprising Press Announce- ment Institution (BİK) managers and relevant staff visited the region three times: February 15-21, 2023; March 16-20, 2023; and October 30-November 3, 2023. During these visits, physical examinations were conducted, and meetings were held with owners of press enterprises, journalists, representatives of professional press organizations, ad- ministrative managers, and relevant public institutions. They also ex- changed feedback. 506 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Following the visits, it was decided to safeguard the rights of newspa- pers in the earthquake zone to publish official announcements and ad- vertisements for 6 months, and they were granted exemption from all inspections and controls. Some of these decisions are still being imple- mented in provinces where the impact of the earthquake persists. The situation assessment report, prepared at the conclusion of these visits, guided the institution’s action plan. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 507 508 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Aid Collected through Conditional Donation Method Over 400 newspapers and Press Announcement Institution (BİK) em- ployees participated in the nationwide aid campaign initiated by Cavit Erkılınç, General Manager of the Press Announcement Institution, un- der the leadership of 9 newspapers in Artvin. The aid collected through the conditional donation method was evaluated as follows: • A total of TRY 4,958,476.96 (TRY 1,672,514.79 collected by the Gen- eral Assembly members and staff of the Institution, and TRY 3,370,038.54 collected by media organizations) were transferred to AFAD accounts on February 23, 2023. • Additionally, TRY 84,076.37 were transferred to Ahbap and TRCS ac- counts as per request. • With the donations collected during the aid campaign organized in coordination with the Press Announcement Institution, technical equipment was purchased for the use of journalists. A total of 43 computers, 34 cameras, 27 printers, 8 containers, and 19 office sup- plies, procured with the conditional donation made by the institu- tion to AFAD for delivery to press organizations, were handed over to earthquake-affected journalists in Malatya, Adıyaman, Hatay, Kah- ramanmaraş, and Gaziantep provinces through AFAD officials. • The institution’s staff donated over TRY 564,828.26 to their earth- quake-affected colleagues. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 509 Panel/Forum/Symposium National Events We Hear You: Journalism During Disasters and Crises Panel Coordinated by the Directorate of Communication, videos were pro- duced featuring experienced journalists in the fields of disaster-crisis, war, medical, justice-police, diplomacy, and economy journalism. These videos aimed to share their professional experiences for the benefit of various segments of society, particularly communication faculty stu- dents and new media members. To disseminate the aforementioned videos to the public, the “We Hear You: Journalism During Disasters and Crises” panel was held on March 21, 2023. The panel included sessions discussing disaster-crisis, war, and medical journalism under the titles “Journalism During Disasters & Crises,” “In the Shadow of Guns, in Pursuit of Truth: War Journalism,” and “Medical Journalism within the Framework of What the Pandemic Teaches.” 510 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Panel on Accurate Reporting in Extraordinary Times within the Context of Media Ethics The Directorate of Communications, prioritizing the fight against disin- formation and the promotion of truth in constructing the Türkiye Com- munication Model, published a guide. This guide, compiled and sys- tematized based on global examples, aims to assist media profession- als striving for accurate reporting. A panel titled “Accurate Reporting in Extraordinary Times within the Context of Media Ethics” was held on March 28, 2023. The panel, featuring expert evaluations in their respective fields, in- cluded sessions titled “Media and Ethics: Disinformation, Privacy, and Fictional Reality” and “News Ethics in New Generation Media.” Experts discussed various aspects of media ethics during these sessions. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 511 “One and a Half Degrees” Climate Literacy and Disaster Commu- nication Forum The “One and a Half Degrees” Climate Literacy and Disaster Communi- cation Forum took place in Konya on October 22, 2023, under the coor- dination of the Presidency’s Directorate of Communications, Radio and Television Supreme Council, Konya Metropolitan Municipality, Selçuk University, and Necmettin Erbakan University. 512 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS International Events Panel on International Cooperation and Solidarity in Natural Dis- asters A panel titled “International Cooperation and Solidarity in Natural Dis- asters” was organised on April 4, 2023, hosted by the Directorate of Com- munications. The panel’s opening speeches were delivered by Director of Communications Prof. Fahrettin Altun and Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) President Serkan Kayalar, and the panel continued with two sessions titled “The Spirit of International Solidarity in Natural Disasters” and “The Human Dimension of International Secu- rity.” Furthermore, a video on “International Cooperation and Solidarity in Natural Disasters” was displayed at the beginning of the panel. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 513 Panel Series and Press Conferences in the US on Earthquakes The Presidency’s Directorate of Communications organised a series of panel discussions on the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes, which were de- scribed as the “disaster of the century,” between April 16 and 21, 2023, in New York and Washington, DC, US. In this context, the panel titled “Disaster Diplomacy: Recoding International Solidarity for a Resilient World,” held in Washington on April 17, emphasised that the earthquake demonstrated the importance of international cooperation and the need for solidarity in the face of natural disasters for international security. Additionally, at the “Humanitarian Diplomacy in Natural Disasters: An Indispensable Necessity” panel held on April 19, 2023, at the United Na- tions Headquarters in New York, the significance of humanitarian diplo- macy in natural disasters was highlighted and a video about the “disas- ter of the century” and the humanitarian aid provided in its aftermath was displayed. The Presidency’s Directorate of Communications delegation, which held a series of meetings in Washington and New York as part of “disaster diplomacy,” met with Turkish media members in New York on April 19 and international media members on April 20, 2023. In addition, the del- egation held meetings with the US Chamber of Commerce, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the US Agency for Interna- tional Development, the US State Department’s Türkiye Desk, the World Bank and the Atlantic Council. A panel titled “The Effects of Natural Disasters on International Rela- tions: Reassessing Natural Disasters as an Instrument for Political Con- flict Resolution” was held in two sessions at Türkevi. 514 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 515 516 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Speech by Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun at the Eu- ropean Parliament Director of Communications Altun attended the panel titled “Solidarity to Overcome Disaster” organised by the European Parliament in Brus- sels on March 13, 2023, and he delivered the closing speech of the panel, which he attended as a guest of the European Parliament. Providing information on the country’s loss of life and property from the February 6 earthquakes, Director of Communications Altun stated that Türkiye is going through a very challenging period. Stating that Türkiye rose to its feet with the unity of the state and the nation, Altun empha- sized that with the support of Türkiye’s friends abroad, including many European governments, in-kind and in-cash aid was delivered to the dis- aster area, search and rescue teams were dispatched to the region and many people’s lives were saved. Director of Communications Altun pointed out that Türkiye took many steps to prepare for earthquakes and other disasters in the last 20 years and recalled that President Erdoğan recently said that 98 per cent of all collapsed buildings had been built before the 1999 earthquake. He un- derlined the importance of strong and stable political will in rebuilding cities after the ‘disaster of the century’ and maintaining ongoing urban renewal projects with an eco-friendly approach based on the urbanisa- tion concept. Director of Communications Altun explained that the Presidency’s Di- rectorate of Communications has been active on the ground and at the crisis centre in Ankara since the first day of the earthquakes. He added that right after the earthquake, they took steps to facilitate the work of the national and international press while also combating disinforma- tion and information pollution. In this context, Altun stated that, in addition to the Turkish media, ac- creditation was provided for approximately 400 international media members based in Türkiye and nearly 1400 media representatives tem- porarily coming from abroad, and comfortable and safe conditions were provided in the region for them to carry out their work. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 517 Recalling that most recently, the Turkish Parliament passed a law to combat disinformation, Director of Communications Altun stated that they were trying to stop the systematic dissemination of fake news on social media. Director of Communications Altun made the following as- sessments: “At the time, some people criticised Türkiye under the guise of freedom of expression. Particularly, our European friends criticised Türkiye over a vital issue like the fight against disinformation but took very similar precautions themselves. Naturally, that raised some ques- tions. After the earthquakes, however, it became clear that disinforma- tion threatens people’s lives and property, not just state security.” Noting that they attach great importance to the Donors’ Conference by the European Commission scheduled for March 20, 2023, Director of Communication Altun said: “This event shall highlight the European states’ support for Türkiye and raise funds for long-term projects for earthquake survivors. It is possible to say that the whole world sup- ported us partly because Türkiye has long rushed to the aid of those in need during humanitarian crises and natural disasters. As you know, our country has been a world leader in humanitarian aid based on gross national product. Following the recent earthquakes, we saw that states with the resources extended varying forms of assistance. We appreciate and thank you for all those efforts. We pray that similar disasters do not occur anywhere in the world.” 518 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Panel on Crisis Information Management and Public Relations in Natural Disasters The Directorate of Communications organised a panel on Crisis Infor- mation Management and Public Relations in Natural Disasters in Tokyo on April 28. The panel covered topics such as crisis information man- agement, crisis communication, public relations in natural disasters, disinformation in natural disasters, and the role of the media in crisis communication. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 519 Stratcom Disaster Communication Forum “Stratcom Disaster Communication Forum” was organised on April 25–26, 2023, at the Presidency’s Directorate of Communications with the theme “Resilience, Response, Recovery.” The forum, which featured nine panels and seven speeches, was attended by 55 speakers from 17 countries, including strategic communication experts, leaders, acade- micians, representatives from the public and private sectors, and media professionals. 520 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Ambassadors of Japan, Hungary, Greece and the UAE discussed inter- national solidarity and communication in natural disasters during the panel titled “International Solidarity and Disaster Response: We Stand with Türkiye,” moderated by Ambassador Hakkı Emre Yunt, and foreign experts who came to Türkiye for search and rescue operations following the earthquakes shared their experiences in the earthquake zone with the attendees in the panel titled “Heroes Without Borders.” In addition to panels, events such as Disaster Communication Training and Hackathon: The National Disaster Communication Exercise were held. The programme also included an Anadolu Agency exhibition. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 521 360-Degree Communication of Aid Campaigns In order to promote national and international solidarity and support/ aid campaigns regarding the earthquakes epicentred in Kahraman- maraş, such as “Let My Home Be Your Home,” “Türkiye United as One Heart,” and “We Stand with Türkiye,” to a wider target audience, the Di- rectorate of Communications undertook several initiatives by adopting a 360-degree strategic communication approach, including content in digital and conventional channels. “Let My Home Be Your Home” Communication Campaign The Presidency’s Directorate of Communications also supported the promotion of the “Let My Home Be Your Home” campaign, the dissem- ination of press releases and the social media posts of relevant minis- tries; in addition, efforts included public service announcements, pro- motional films, social media content, Twitter hashtags, and outdoor advertisements. A public service announcement was produced with artists Gülben Ergen and Kutsi to encourage participation in the campaign, and it was broad- cast on TV channels on March 3, 2023. A film with infographic visuals was produced and shared on the Directorate of Communications’ social media accounts on March 4, 2023, to explain the details of the campaign to citizens. 522 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS All content related to the campaign was disseminated across 18 provinc- es via conventional and digital advertising channels between March 4 and March 17, 2023. The public service announcement, infographic film, and social media activities coordinated with the Ministry of Internal Af- fairs, Ministry of Industry and Technology, and AFAD were shared on the Directorate of Communications’ social media accounts. Through the dissemination of the post on the social media accounts of the Directorate of Communications, it reached approximately 500 thou- sand views. Furthermore, a large audience was informed about the cam- paign via social media posts by well-known individuals on social media explaining the system. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 523 524 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS ‘’Türkiye United as One Heart’’ Communication Campaign The donation campaign organised jointly on television and radio chan- nels was expanded with the “Türkiye United as One Heart” campaign, which was launched to emphasise the solidarity of the state and the na- tion in the natural disasters experienced by Türkiye and to show that our country can overcome this disaster with a collective kindness cam- paign with the aim of drawing more attention to unity, fraternity and solidarity. Within the scope of this campaign, which appealed to the national pub- lic, media, policy makers, NGOs, public and private sectors, academia, TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 525 culture-art and sports communities with the slogan “Türkiye United as One Heart,” the “Get Well Soon, Türkiye” event was organised by the As- sociation of Anatolian Publishers, with support from the Presidency’s Directorate of Communications, as part of a visit by local journalists to the region. The programme also included a meeting of national and local media representatives in the aftermath of the earthquakes. National and local media members visited the earthquake zone and highlighted the impor- tance of solidarity through news reports and columns. Again, as part of the communication campaign, the Presidency’s Direc- torate of Communications coordinated the national press regarding the activities of Turkish non-governmental organisations in the disaster area, and efforts were made to ensure that search and rescue and relief activities carried out by non-governmental organisations in the disaster area were featured in national media outlets and gained visibility. The visit programme, organised by the Directorate of Communications between February 12 and March 4, 2023, was coordinated and attended by 94 personalities, 50 of whom were from the arts and sports communi- ty. In addition, a public service announcement, a promotional film, out- door advertisements and Twitter hashtag activities were carried out for the campaign. 526 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS “We Stand with Türkiye” Communication Campaign Films and contents were produced, including messages of support from internationally recognised figures, emphasising the spirit of solidarity on a global scale for the “We Stand with Türkiye” campaign launched by TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 527 the Directorate of Communications. After the “disaster of the century,” campaigns of “solidarity of the century” and “mobilisation of the cen- tury” were carried out to stress the global solidarity of the international community following the disaster with the main theme “We Stand with Türkiye.” Five commercials, two of which were feature-length, were produced and shared on social media accounts to effectively convey the messages de- signed within the campaign. The commercials revealed the depth of the damage to the international public, while images of solidarity conveyed the steps taken to heal the wounds and the importance of aid from all countries. In addition to these videos, a collage of support videos from famous figures such as António Guterres, Aamir Khan, Mark Eliyahu, and Yasmin Levy was made. At the end of the videos, the celebrities shared the message, “We Stand with Türkiye.” In addition to these videos shared on social media, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and YouTube pages were created in Turkish and English, with the campaign’s social media accounts available in approximately 20 countries. At the same time, the hashtags “Seninleyiz Türkiye” in Turkish and “We Stand with Türkiye” in English were disseminated. To increase social media engagement with the “We Stand with Türki- ye” campaign, outdoor advertisements were placed in New York’s Times Square, one of the most well-known and visited spots in the US, and the slogan “We Stand with Türkiye” and visuals were displayed on the streets of the US with the help of LED display trucks. The target groups were divided into the Americas, Europe, the Far East, and Muslim geog- raphy, with visual advertisements appearing on digital media outlets in over 50 nations. Contacts were made with our diaspora’s strong civil society platforms to place advertisements in international media, incorporate campaign concepts in newspaper headlines, and ensure that the campaign was covered not only on social media but also in conventional media. “We Stand with Türkiye” campaign images were published in newspapers in the United States, Belgium, Germany, Azerbaijan, China, Malaysia, the Netherlands, and a number of other countries. As part of the campaign, Turkish and English web pages (www.senin- leyizturkiye.com and www.westandwithturkiye.com) were created with 528 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS information that revealed the magnitude of the disaster and the nation- al and worldwide mobilisation in its aftermath. On the other hand, dif- ferent types of content and images were created specifically for digital media publication. Bilingual social media accounts with the slogan “We Stand with Türkiye” were created, and the prepared content was shared. As part of the “We Stand with Türkiye” communication campaign, the “Türkiye United as One Heart Joint Broadcast” was made, a digital me- dia engagement campaign was carried out, and global media coordina- tion was facilitated. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 529 530 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Closing Report on the “We Stand with Türkiye” Campaign The Directorate of Communications prepared a closing report on May 8, 2023, on the “We Stand with Türkiye” project. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 531 Exhibitions Disaster of the Century Photo Exhibition As part of a series of panels and meetings organised by the Presidency’s Directorate of Communications in the United States between April 16 and 21, 2023, regarding the earthquakes epicentred in Kahramanmaraş, the Directorate organised a Disaster of the Century Photo Exhibition at the Congressional Rayburn House Office Building in the United States. In addition to the Turkish delegation, Joe Wilson, Co-Chair of the Con- gressional Caucus on U.S.-Türkiye Relations and Turkish Americans and Representative of South Carolina, and Pete Sessions, Representative of Texas, attended the exhibition’s opening. 532 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Photography Support for Domestic and International Exhibitions Anadolu Agency (AA) offered photography support to exhibitions in Türkiye and abroad to help people grasp the scope of the disaster. These included an exhibition of paintings of children who were victims of the earthquake and an exhibition hosted by the Council of Europe. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 533 534 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Projects RE-DIS JOURNALISM-Recovery Disaster Journalism Project The project’s goal is to create communication strategies that empha- sise the role of journalism in disaster recovery efforts. The recent earth- quakes in Türkiye have served as a timely reminder of the importance of having effective strategies in place to reduce damage from disasters and ensure a well-coordinated recovery process. The Re-Dis project, in partnership with the Gaziantep Regional Directorate of the Directorate of Communications, is anticipated to offer guidance for post-disaster recovery efforts in the region, which has been severely affected by the recent earthquakes. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 535 Activity Trucks for the Earthquake Zone Project The Directorate of Communications organised a variety of activities at shelter centres and other shelter areas as part of the Activity Trucks for the Earthquake Zone Project to assist earthquake-affected children in adapting to social life and, to some extent, erase the traces of the disas- ter. During activities organised in Kahramanmaraş, Şanlıurfa, Elbistan, Diyarbakır, İskenderun, Malatya, Hatay, Adıyaman, Osmaniye and Ga- ziantep under the theme “A truckload of happiness is on its way to your city,” children had a great time with clowns. 536 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 537 TRT Travelling Cinema Truck In an effort to heal the wounds, Türkiye’s public broadcaster TRT launched the TRT Travelling Cinema Truck project in the region. As part of the project’s scope, movie displays took place in all of the earth- quake-affected provinces. TRT executives met with children in Kahram- anmaraş, where the first display was held. 538 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Movie Premiers of “Lion Hürkuş 3: Phoenix Island” The TRT Kids Channel Coordination Office organised the premieres of the movie “Lion Hürkuş 3: Anka Island” in Kahramanmaraş and İskend- erun for earthquake victims. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 539 “Kare Takımı” (Square Team) Cartoon Project TRT is working on a special piece of content for the first anniversary of the earthquake, featuring the cartoon heroes of “Kare Takımı.” Documentaries/TV Shows ‘’A Base of Solidarity: Gaziantep Airport’’ Documentary Following the earthquakes that struck our country on February 6, Ga- ziantep Airport was designated as the central base in order to provide a logistically safe location. Only a few hours after the earthquake, a re- markable effort was made to initiate passenger evacuation and coordi- nate the arrival of relief flights. TRT’s documentary “A Base of Solidar- ity: Gaziantep Airport” depicts what is happening at the airport, which has been a symbol of universal unity, and those who continue to operate there despite the risks. The documentary, which was edited between March 27 and April 13, 2023 (13 days), was filmed on February 11, February 25–March 2, 2023 (6 days), and it shows how the operation went smoothly with the tow- er, apron, and station personnel working together despite the chaos and busy air traffic, and how Gaziantep Airport is etched in people’s minds as the base of solidarity. 540 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 541 ‘’United as One Heart’’ Documentary The stories of heroism in the aftermath of the earthquake, which also circulated on TV and social media, were told through 13 episodes featur- ing 26 heroes. The documentary was produced and broadcast between April 1, 2023 and July 8, 2023. 542 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 543 ‘’Kırılma’’ (Turning Point) TV Show The TV show “Kırılma,” depicting the February 6 earthquakes, was broadcast between March 2, 2023 and October 15, 2023. 544 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS “İki Seher Arasında’’ (Between Two Dawns) and ‘’Kırık Köyler’’ (Broken Villages) Documentaries News and documentaries featuring Ministry of Agriculture and Forest- ry personnel and citizens affected by the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes were produced by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The docu- mentary “İki Seher Arasında” is dedicated to the employees of the Min- istry of Agriculture and Forestry who lost their lives. Prepared by the De- partment of Training and Publication of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the documentary “Kırık Köyler” recounts the stories of those who lived in the villages where the fault line crossed and were severely impacted by the disaster of the century. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 545 International Media Reflections of the Efforts Following the Earthquakes The International Media Monitoring Unit of the Directorate of Commu- nications scanned major international news agencies and media outlets in 29 languages on the State Information System (DES) between Febru- ary 6, 2023, and December 31, 2023, inquiring about the activities that had been carried out in the earthquake zone during the previous year. This work includes 12 news articles translated from 11 languages about post-earthquake activities from 12 different countries. TURKISH BANKS DEDICATE FOREIGN BORROWINGS TO EARTHQUAKE CAUSE Media Outlet : Bloomberg Publication Date : March 31, 2023 Country : USA Author : Cagan Koc, Jacqueline Poh Location of Translation : Ankara Translation Type : Summary Türkiye’s major banks are raising foreign currency funds to help with rebuilding the country after it was hit by earthquakes earlier in the year. Akbank T.A.S. is replacing a roughly $700 million annual term loan that was tied to sustainability targets with a social loan, the proceeds of which are to be used for disaster relief, according to people familiar with the matter who aren’t authorised to speak publicly and asked not to be identified. TC Ziraat Bankası is also back for its annual refinancing with terms linked to sustainability goals but focused on supporting earthquake recovery efforts, the people said. Türkiye’s central bank says it could revise tools that support liquidity conditions in response to the devastating earthquakes. Both lenders are offering the same interest rates at 375 basis points over Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR), and 350 basis points over Euribor. 546 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS 8 HOW DOES TÜRKİYE TAKE CARE OF ITS PEOPLE AFTER DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKES? Media Outlet : Dnevni Avaz Publication Date : February 22, 2023 Country : Bosnia and Herzegovina Location of Translation : Sarajevo Translation Type : Full Text Türkiye today launched a temporary Economic Support Programme and banned layoffs in ten of the regions affected by the devastating earthquakes that struck on February 6. The programme was introduced to shield employees and businesses from the financial effects of the devastating earthquakes that occurred earlier this month in the country's southern region. Employers whose workplaces are "severely or moderately damaged" could benefit from this aid, according to the Official Gazette. Thus, the salaries of employees whose working hours are reduced will be partially covered. A ban on layoffs was also imposed in 10 earthquake-affected provinces. The Grand National Assembly of Türkiye declared a three-month state of emergency at the instruction of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Türkiye. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 547 8 ERDOĞAN: WE WILL BUILD 270 THOUSAND HOUSES IN ONE YEAR Media Outlet : Azatutyun Publication Date : February 22, 2023 Country : Armenia Location of Translation : Ankara Translation Type : Broad Summary --The Armenian Church in Vakıflı is Seriously Damaged— The beginning of February 22 brought alarming news: at 8 a.m. local time, four complete magni- tude 3 earthquakes were detected in southern Lebanon, causing tremors to be felt in Israel and Palestine. Fortunately, no one was killed, but it's evident that the region, which withstood the devastating earthquake on February 6, continues to experience seismic activity. The total number of deaths in Türkiye and Syria surpassed 48,000. Furthermore, further earth- quakes earlier this week caused even more destruction in Türkiye, leaving at least six people dead and over 5,000 injured. The Virgin Mary Church in Vakıflı, the only Armenian village that sustained significant damage, was one of the numerous partially damaged buildings that the earthquake on February 6 destroyed. A villager named Levrek Kartun claims that it is no longer fit for church services. --Building Houses for All Disaster Victims: His Top Pre-Election Promise— Tens of millions of people in Türkiye were affected; in fact, a region big enough to contain many small European states was destroyed. This is the most difficult challenge for any government, but in Türkiye there's an extra factor: elections are coming up. The old, tried-and-tested mechanism comes into play: President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan promises to punish criminals and rehabilitate a gravely devastated homeland. Erdoğan mentioned these during his visits to the disaster zone. He declared yesterday that in less than a year, up to 270,000 houses would be built. Addressing disaster victims in the Nurdağı district of Gaziantep, President Erdoğan promised that restoration work would begin in a few days, in early March. Up to 200,000 buildings will be constructed in 11 regions of the country, and another 70,000 buildings will be built in the villages of the affected regions. According to Erdoğan, in the upcom- ing months, experts will examine the situation in the disaster zone and ascertain the precise number of buildings that need to be built. President Erdoğan called on people not to despair. Erdoğan said 87,000 residents of Gaziantep were evacuated to other parts of the country. Presi- dent Erdoğan ensured that the historical and ethnic characteristics of the region would be considered when reconstructing Gaziantep. 548 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS 8 Erdoğan appealed to the people with a call for unity, urging them not to despair, not to panic, and not to pay attention to the provocateurs, assuring them that the consequences of this trage- dy would be overcome by the people and the state together. --Only Buildings with Three or Four Floors Will Be Built in Disaster Zones In the Future— President Erdoğan said, "865,000 people live in tents, and 23,500 people live in container houses. Within a year, we will give new housing to everyone; we will restore not only cities but also villages." According to Erdoğan, only three- or four-story buildings will be constructed in the area affected by the disaster, in line with the concept of "horizontal construction." --The Disaster Zone Currently Requires Doctors— A disaster zone is an area where all necessities are present simultaneously. People need shelter, heat, clothing, food, and water. Regular medical care is also essential. The destruction of medical facilities and housing caused a significant surge in the number of patients, which multiplied by several within hours. --The Quality of the Building is the Key to Safety— According to experts, the number of casualties could have been significantly reduced had struc- tures been constructed to strict technical standards for earthquake resistance and with superior construction quality. In relation to the destroyed buildings, 160 people have been arrested, and over 560 have been detained thus far; arrest warrants have been issued for 71 more suspects, and 61 more people have been arrested. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 549 8 THE DESIRE FOR STABILITY IS THE REASON BEHIND THE VOTE FOR PRESIDENT ERDOĞAN Media Outlet : Le Monde Publication Date : May 23, 2023 Country : France Author : Nicolos Bourcier Location of Translation : Paris Translation Type : Broad Summary 72 percent of the residents of Kahramanmaraş, who were severely affected by the earthquake that occurred on February 6, voted for the current President. Some residents believe that "no one can do better" than the Islamic-conservative leader in assisting them, notwithstanding the delayed arrival of rescue teams. On Demirci Street, the narrow street that leads to the bazaar of Kahramanmaraş, time is no more than a series of evasive exchanges between the dead and the death, between exhaustion and the dream for a better life. More than two-thirds of the houses were destroyed or damaged during the February 6 earthquake. Both during the day and at night, one can hear the noise of dump trucks and shovels. Even four months after the disaster, much remains to be done. Faces are tense, gazes fixed. Nearly 10,000 people died here. More than 50,000 people died in the entire affected area. This figure is much higher than the number of survivors. There are three people sitting side by side in small throne-like chairs. Three men: Ahmet, Fahri and Paşa... A generation between the ages of 30 and 70 sits on what's left of the sidewalk. Today, the street belongs to them. And resembles them. A mirror of Türkiye from below. The oldest, Paşa, a veteran of the Cyprus operation, speaks in a seemingly unrestrained tone about the country's current problems: inflation that is destroying people's purchasing power, a judicial system that no one trusts, and politicians who 'think only of themselves'. "However, this is the reality for all countries," he says. Along with his two friends, Fahri and Ahmet, Paşa voted for President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who has been in power for 20 years, in the elections held on May 14. "Without any hesitation," the three men add. Here we are. Voters cast a blank cheque on the government in the city devastated by the earth- quake, where aid was delayed as elsewhere, and the mayor of the city who is from the Justice and Development Party (AKP), which was founded by Mr Erdoğan, was booed from the very first day of the disaster. Thus, 72 percent of the population voted for Erdoğan, almost as high as in the 2018 presidential elections and even higher in some districts. The party lost about 10 percent of the vote compared to the last parliamentary elections, slightly more than elsewhere in the country. -- "A Display of Power"- This is the paradox that the Turkish opposition has been trying to answer since the first round of the elections. Despite the evident challenges confronting the country, the broad coalition spear- headed by Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and his promises of stability and a return to the rule of law failed to secure a majority. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is once again the favourite to win the elections, twenty years after assuming power and enduring twenty years of disputes, criticism, and back- lash. 550 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS 8 Paşa, who refrained from providing his complete name, intends for this to be perceived as a logical progression for "the sole worthy politician in this country who has actually done something since assuming office." Roads, housing, airports, hospitals (he constructed one in Hatay in six weeks), the military industry's capability, drones and helicopters—in no specific order—Paşa lists these accomplishments that, in his opinion, make the President the alpha and omega of power. "Yes, honourable and strong, he is the only one who can meet the needs in these times of crisis." He himself lost his house in the earthquake. Fahri and Ahmet lost their jobs. "However, Erdoğan cannot be held responsible," they say. "The extent of the disaster was so massive that no one could have done better." "Of course, there have been mistakes," Paşa admits, "Nevertheless, Kılıçdaroğlu fails to instil confidence. How can one proceed when six political parties are so different to one another? It seems fragile, and Erdoğan knows how to do it." - "Emotional Bonds"- A comparison of the figures indicates that the opposition candidate won in Istanbul, Izmir, and Ankara, the three major cities of the country. As expected, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu came first in the western coastal regions, which are among the traditional strongholds of his Republican People's Party (CHP), and in the southeast, where the Kurds are in majority. Elsewhere, Erdoğan has mobilised his Islamic-conservative voters, who largely dominate the centre of the country and the Black Sea coast. His emphasis throughout the campaign on conservative family values and his reputation as a strong statesman succeeded in reassuring his voters. Above all, the Head of State has established himself as an element of stability in this Central Anatolian region and in traditional, hard-work- ing, medium-sized cities such as Kahramanmaraş, Erzincan, Bingöl or Konya. Even in Hatay province, which was heavily affected by the earthquake, the President received almost 48 percent of the votes, almost reaching the same vote rate as in the previous elections. "Erdoğan is part of the tradition of Adnan Menderes (1899-1961) and Süleyman Demirel (1924-2015), conservative and populist leaders who represent the people and manage to estab- lish emotional and sentimental bonds with their voters," adds author and analyst Halil Karaveli from the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute. The current President has perfected these bonds even better than his predecessors. " TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 551 8 TÜRKİYE BANS LAYOFFS, OFFERS SALARY SUPPORT IN EARTHQUAKE ZONE Türkiye launched a temporary wage support scheme and banned layoffs in 10 cities on Wednes- day to protect workers and businesses from the financial impact of the massive earthquakes that hit the south of the country earlier this month. The moves are part of the Turkish government's steps to minimise the economic impact of Türki- ye’s worst earthquake in modern history that left tens of thousands dead. Employers whose workplaces were "heavily or moderately damaged" would benefit from support to partially cover wages of workers whose hours had been cut, the country's Official Gazette said on Wednesday. A ban on layoffs was also introduced in 10 earthquake-hit provinces covered by a state of emer- gency. Turkish Parliament imposed the state of emergency for three months on Feb. 7, after a request by President Tayyip Erdogan. The government also offered salary support and imposed a layoff ban in 2020 in an attempt to mitigate the economic blow from COVID-19. Business groups and economists have said the earthquake could cost Ankara up to $100 billion to rebuild housing and infrastructure, and shave one to two percentage points off economic growth this year. Media Outlet : REUTERS Publication Date : February 22, 2023 Country : England Location of Translation : Ankara Translation Type : Full Text 552 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS 8 ERDOĞAN: WE WILL REBUILD THE CITIES AFFECTED BY THE EARTHQUAKE IN A SHORT TIME Media Outlet : Fars News Agency Publication Date : April 04, 2023 Country : Iran Location of Translation : Ankara Translation Type : Summary On the eve of the country's general elections, the Turkish President has pledged to fully rebuild the earthquake-affected areas. In his meeting with MPs and some citizens in Ankara on Monday, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that he would rebuild the south of Türkiye, which was ruined by severe earthquakes and where thousands of people lost their lives. Erdoğan said: "We will rebuild our cities in a short time and ensure that our people look to the future with hope. Türkiye plans to build enough buildings within a year to meet the needs of earthquake victims." Erdogan also stated that 319 thousand houses will be built. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 553 8 TÜRKİYE... HATAY, WHICH HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY THE EARTHQUAKE, IS AT THE CENTRE OF TURKISH CUISINE IN THE WORLD Media Outlet : Agenzia Nova Publication Date : May 24, 2023 Country : Italy Location of Translation : Ankara Translation Type : Broad Summary This year, Türkiye celebrates Turkish Cuisine Week in the world by highlighting Antakya, the crossroads of civilizations and the intersection of cultures, peoples and religions, which was devastated by two major earthquakes with magnitudes 7.7 and 7.6 in February 2023. The world- wide celebration of Turkish gastronomy between May 21–27 puts the local cuisine of Hatay, the "26th city of gastronomy in the world," as designated by the Unesco Creative Cities Network, at the centre and emphasises zero-waste and sustainable production practices in Turkish food culture. Turkish diplomatic missions around the world, including the Italian Embassy, will organ- ise various events and social media campaigns to promote the unique tastes of Hatay cuisine. Participants in the Turkish Cuisine Week events, held for the second time this year, will prepare dishes unique to Hatay with local ingredients and traditional cooking techniques and will be provided with insights into ancient and sustainable Turkish cuisine. At the same time, they will have the opportunity to learn about the rich biodiversity of Turkish cuisine, its readiness to respond to various eating and drinking trends, and its potential. Participants will be able to touch with their own hands the cooking method based on the sustainable and zero-waste approach of Turkish cuisine. Timeless and healthy recipes will unite participants around Turkish eating and drinking rituals structured around feelings of unity and cultural sustainability. Turkish coffee, Turkish tea, and Turkish delight will be served at the events, and participants will have the opportunity to taste many varieties of Turkish cuisine. Hatay cuisine combines quality olive oil grown in fertile lands influenced by the Mediterranean climate with grains, legumes, vegetables, fruits, local herbs and spices. The culinary heritage of the city, which has hosted many civilizations and important figures, including Alexander the Great, throughout history, draws attention with its unique breakfast and hundreds of food varie- ties. 554 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS 8 MORE THAN 35 MILLION YEN WAS DONATED AS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AFFECTED BY THE EARTHQUAKES IN TÜRKİYE Media Outlet : NHK TV Publication Date : August 17, 2023 Country : Japan Location of Translation : Ankara Translation Type : Full Text More than 35 million yen in donations collected by the governorships to support the reconstruc- tion of Türkiye, which was severely damaged in the earthquake that occurred in February this year, will be used as scholarships for university students who lost their parents in the earth- quake. More than 50 thousand people lost their lives and many people had to evacuate their homes in the Türkiye-Syria earthquake that occurred in February this year. A committee consisting of the governor's office and the provincial social assistance board appealed for donations until the end of May to support earthquake victims. The committee's audit revealed that donations in excess of 35 million yen have been collected. The donations will be allocated as scholarships for university students through the Turkish-Japa- nese Foundation, an organisation that promotes interaction between Japan and Türkiye. Scholarship recipients will consist of students enrolled in public universities in Türkiye who have suffered family losses or are facing financial hardships due to unemployment resulting from the earthquake. It was also determined that these students should major in disciplines including architecture, disaster prevention, and reconstruction. On the 21st of this month (August) in the capital of Türkiye, Ankara, officials from the governor's office will sign an agreement with the "Turkish-Japanese Foundation" on the aforementioned issues and hand over the donations. The Disaster Prevention Support Unit of the Governor's Office, the committee's secretariat, issued a call for donations and stated, "We express our heartfelt gratitude for the substantial amount of donations collected from our citizens. We would like to contribute to the further development of Türkiye by utilising donations in a meaningful manner." TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 555 8 NOW IS THE TIME FOR THE WORLD TO SUPPORT THE PEOPLE OF TÜRKİYE On February 6, in the blink of an eye, powerful earthquakes turned cities into rubble in a vast swath of southern Türkiye. The affected area - three times the size of Belgium - is home to some 15.7 million people. This is arguably the worst natural disaster to have ever hit the country, and the fifth deadliest earthquake in the world in the past 30 years. The human losses and the damage and destruction of civilian buildings are staggering; some 49,000 people died and 272,860 buildings collapsed, were severely damaged or are facing demolition. In particularly hard-hit places like the ancient city of Antakya, the landscape is apocalyptic, with only one in five buildings set to remain stand- ing. In the early days after the earthquakes, the world reacted with an outpouring of sympathy and assistance. Search and rescue teams and medical crews from 88 countries raced to help and emergency supplies were dispatched from around the world. But for Türkiye to stand a fair chance to recover and rebuild, far bigger resources are needed. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) helped the Turkish government in calculat- ing the financial impact of the disaster and to set priorities for recovery and reconstruction. The result of this joint work, the Türkiye Earthquakes Recovery and Reconstruction Assessment (TERRA), is shocking: the damages and losses caused by the disaster amount to $iO3.6bn, or nine percent of Türkiye’s GDP. The replacement of 650,000 destroyed housing units alone is estimated to cost $66bn. But even numbers this big cannot convey the loss that the people of Türkiye have experienced. At least 3.3 million people have seen their homes and possessions lost under rubble. Many have lost family and friends, and almost two million are currently housed in tents or containers. Construction of better facilities, both temporary and permanent, is under way at a furious pace, but still, the majority of the earthquake survivors are leading precarious lives in primitive condi- tions. The disaster and its aftermath have left millions traumatised. The worries are not restricted to the 11 provinces that directly experienced destruction caused by the earthquakes. Many had expected the next “big one” to hit the bustling megalopolis of Istanbul, and its population of well over 15 million, which also sits on top of dangerous fault lines. The vistas of destruction in the south have sparked fears of far worse in the north, where thousands of high-risk structures need earthquake-proofing. The trade-off is clear to all: find funds to retrofit now or regret the losses later. Media Outlet : Al Jazeera Publication Date : April 2, 2023 Country : Qatar Author : Louisa Vinton Location of Translation : Ankara Translation Type : Broad Summary 556 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS 8 Even before the earthquakes, the area was one of the less prosperous regions of Türkiye. It was also home to half of the 3.7 million Syrians who have been offered a haven in Türkiye over the past decade. Now it is confronted with an exodus of people estimated to have reached three million. For many, this outward migration will probably be temporary. But employers everywhere worry that the workers will not return, that the trauma of losing everything will drown out local loyalties. Factories and farmers alike report a debilitating shortage of workers. The challenges are daunting, indeed, and at UNDP we see the importance of applying the tools of development in devising solutions. Huge investments and a clear vision that builds on the region’s strengths and assets will be required to bring the affected areas back to life. There is no time to lose; from the very start, the emergency response needs to incorporate the idea of “early recovery” so that relief funding is used to hire local people and buy local products. The Turkish government has vowed not to abandon the region. However, as the TERRA has shown, the resources needed to restore normal life would overwhelm the budget of virtually any single state. To rally the world to the cause of recovery, the European Union has pledged support at a donor conference in Brussels. More is needed. In the face of a disaster so unprecedented in scope, the generosity of the international communi- ty needs to be just as unprecedented. Reconstruction is not just about bricks and mortar, but about lives and livelihoods, and requires a global effort. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 557 8 TÜRKİYE BEGINS REBUILDING NEIGHBORHOODS DESTROYED BY THE EARTHQUAKE Media Outlet : Aniq.uz Publication Date : March 2023 Country : Uzbekistan Location of Translation : Tashkent Translation Type : Full Text On March 23, 2023, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced that the construction of new houses in Türkiye began on March 23, 2023, to replace the houses destroyed by the earthquake that occurred on February 6, 2023. The district in the province of Kahramanmaraş suffered the most from the disaster. According to preliminary estimates, the damage caused to Türkiye during the earthquake exceeds 103 billion dollars. More than 50 thousand people died, and more than 100 thousand people were injured. 558 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS 8 ERDOĞAN: OUR TARGET IS TO TRANSFORM 1.5 MILLION RISKY BUILDINGS IN İSTANBUL Media Outlet : TASS Publication Date : December 23, 2023 Country : Russia Location of Translation : Ankara Translation Type : Summary Speaking at the launch of the roadmap for the urban transformation of the metropolis with a population of 16 million, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Türkiye stated that 1.5 million independent risky buildings in Istanbul will undergo renovations within the next five years. Erdoğan said, "Our goal is to transform a total of 1.5 million independent risky buildings, 600 thousand of them urgently, within 5 years." The Turkish government has embarked on a housing plan to build earthquake-resistant buildings, particularly after the devastating earthquakes in the southeast of the country in February. Seismologists issue a warning regarding the potential occurrence of an earthquake in İstanbul with a magnitude of seven or greater. In August 1999, Istanbul was hit by an earthquake of magnitude 7.6, which cost the lives of tens of thousands of people. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 559 8 FATMANUR ALTUN, CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD OF TÜRGEV: WE THANK GREECE FOR ITS INVALUABLE SUPPORT Media Outlet : ieidiseis.gr Publication Date : February 22, 2023 Country : Greece Author : Spiros Sideris Location of Translation : Athens Translation Type : Full Text --Together, We Will Build a New Life in Disaster Zones"-- Assoc. Prof. Fatmanur Altun, Chairperson of the Board of the non-governmental organisation, TÜRGEV, spoke exclusively to IEidiseis after the earthquake disaster that hit 11 provinces in Türkiye, causing more than 40 thousand deaths and rendering millions homeless. Among the over 20 million people affected by the devastating earthquake, TÜRGEV is particularly concerned about the over 600,000 young people who are either students or residents of the region. Every year since 1996, the Youth and Education Service Foundation of Türkiye (TÜRGEV) has contributed to the education of tens of thousands of young people and endeavoured to cultivate future success. TÜRGEV runs laboratories, seminars and academic courses to educate young people. Assoc. Prof. Fatmanur Altun discusses the initiatives undertaken by TÜRGEV to support the education and daily lives of youth, in addition to mitigating the psychological impacts of the earthquake on young people. SPIROS SIDERIS: Mrs. Altun, first of all, as a Greek, I would like to offer my sincere condolences to those who lost their lives and my everlasting solidarity. The devastating earthquake that hit Türkiye affected more than 20 million people, including many children and young people. Do you have any idea how many young people have been impacted by the earthquake, including those residing in the eleven provinces as well as those residing with their families in other areas affect- ed by the earthquake? What was the first message you received from young people? What were their needs? FATMANUR ALTUN: First and foremost, on behalf of myself and my nation, I would like to thank our neighbouring country, Greece, for its invaluable support during the period of this great disaster, which has been described as "the disaster of the century", as well as throughout these difficult days as it continues to heal its wounds. As our esteemed President stated, Türkiye and Greece, as two neighbouring countries with historical and cultural cooperation, are ready to support each other in times of need. We have once again experienced this today. The earthquake severely affected 11 provinces in the south of the country. There are 631,430 students studying or residing in these provinces. This is 17.5 per cent of the number of students - official, in cooperation and pre-undergraduate - in Türkiye. 560 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS 8 During the initial phase, youth in the region attempted to contact us via social media and submitted applications for assistance, support, and volunteering. We made an effort, along with every other NGO in our country, to work with the Disaster and Emergency Management Presiden- cy (AFAD) to overcome the task during the disaster. We planned our activities based on the needs and demands we received from official sources, as well as verified remarks from our students in the region. Numerous applications were made for voluntary work. We organised our new volunteers in a relatively short period of time. We supplied food, underwear and outerwear, electronic devices, power banks, tankers and many other tools for all ages and sexes to aid in the rescue of earth- quake victims. All of this aid was intended for the disaster zone. The aid arrived with specialised psychologists from our Psychological Counselling Centre. Since day one, our colleagues have been striving to offer psychological support to earthquake victims and lessen the pain in the initial stages. Nevertheless, we have opened all of our dormitories to anyone in need of a place to stay, espe- cially the dormitory in Gaziantep for earthquake victims, and we will keep hosting our fellow citizens. Our volunteer-driven effort in response to the earthquake is still ongoing and will likely continue for a long time to come. I believe our country will rise above this predicament and get back on its feet as quickly as possible. SIDERIS: It looks like life will start over in many of the earthquake-affected areas. Young people in any society are the vital backbone of the country; their knowledge, dynamism, and vision can help in the reconstruction of their destroyed homeland. What part do you play in this, and what do you seek to accomplish with the projects? ALTUN: We are an education and youth foundation that operates dormitories for girls and youth centres, which we call GIF. We listened to our young people, who are our source of inspiration and launched national and international projects to address their problems. We will maintain our efforts related to the disaster, which is the primary and shared concern of all young people in our country. As you said, we will rebuild new lives in the devastated areas and do so collectively for the youth whose homes have been rendered uninhabitable, who have lost their families, and whose education has been disrupted in the process. 1. We plan to continue developing programmes to provide psychological support (in cooperation with the Municipality and the Psychological Support Centre units of the Ministry of National Education), 2. supply supportive tutoring and stationery aid at all educational levels in order to restore equality of opportunity in education, 3. offer scholarships for earthquake victims, 4. grant money and scholarships so that master's research theses on the problems brought on by the disaster can be conducted in 11 provinces, TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 561 8 5. constitute one of the main pillars upon which the solution proposals that arise from these theses will be presented and implemented, 6. organise GIF efforts focused on the supplies that the region needs and ongoing support for the disaster zone, 7. and provide play workshops for the children who will stay in our dormitories and develop programmes to aid in their healing. SIDERIS: I believe that throughout this disaster, young people will require special care and psychological support. Many may have lost family, relatives and friends. Their trauma will undoubtedly be severe. How is their psychological support envisioned, and what activities are being undertaken in this regard? ALTUN: We deployed our psychologists to the region on the first day of the disaster. They keep working to offer the earthquake victims we host in our dormitories psychological support, but this is not sufficient. We seek to develop joint programmes with Municipalities and Ministries to disseminate and systematise these research projects. We carry on with our activities. SIDERIS: The material damage that the deadly earthquakes have caused to youth education and infrastructure is another significant concern. Of course, this is a matter for the relevant authori- ties of the Republic of Türkiye to address. But your part is equally vital. How are you going to ensure that education and self-development, possibly the most crucial aspects of young people's lives, are provided throughout this massive disaster? ALTUN: Regarding the education of our students who survived the earthquake, we intend to provide formal education and psychological support to the children and young people we host in our dormitories, utilising the facilities available in our dormitories, and we will do so at all levels of education in collaboration with our educational experts. SIDERIS: Finally, I would like to know if, in addition to the pain, grief, loss, and disaster that the young people have experienced, have there been any beneficial results from this tragic occur- rence, such as solidarity, cooperation, respect for human life, etc. ALTUN: The Turkish nation understands how to unite its forces very well under extremely tough situations and act with a sense of "we" in order to respond to the challenges it faces. In the face of this natural disaster, our fellow citizens from all political and cultural backgrounds, as well as various views and lifestyles, acted with unity and solidarity. Our pioneers in this were also the youth. We are proud of our youth, and we are confident that Türkiye will overcome this major disaster through our collective efforts. SİDERİS: Thank you very much. 562 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS 5.16. Scientific Studies, Projects and Publications TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 563 TÜBİTAK Support Programmes TÜBİTAK support programmes have been implemented for quick earth- quake solutions. The needs of academics, industry, scientists, science and society, and disaster zones were all considered when designing and implementing new support mechanisms. TÜBİTAK 1002-C Fieldwork Urgent Support Programme Focused on Natural Disasters Proactively, the “TÜBİTAK Fieldwork Urgent Support Programme Fo- cused on Natural Disasters” was introduced immediately after the earth- quake. Within a day of receiving applications for the programme, evalu- ation and decisions were reached, and the support process was started. In the aftermath of the earthquake disaster, 124 projects from 61 institu- tions covering topics such as the collection of scientific data, seismic, ge- ological, geodetic, tectonic, geotechnical, structural health and damage, transportation structures, sea level change, soil structure and liquefac- tion, surface fracture, landslides, radon gas output, agriculture, environ- ment, historical and cultural buildings, healthcare services, psychology, social sciences, food safety, disaster management, etc. have begun to be supported by TÜBİTAK. 577 scientists from throughout Türkiye collect- ed field data in fields ranging from geophysics to logistics. 564 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Birlikte Çalışıp Birlikte Başaracağız Programı (BİÇABA) ‘’We Work Together, We Succeed Together Programme’’ Birlikte Çalışıp Birlikte Başaracağız Programı (BİÇABA-We Work Togeth- er, We Succeed Together Programme) opened for applications in order to provide earthquake-affected undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students as well as postdoctoral researchers with the opportunity to participate in research projects led or funded by TÜBİTAK. 1,317 undergraduate students, 648 master’s students, 419 PhD students, and 99 postdoctoral researchers were among those eligible for funding under the terms of the application call. Undergraduate students receive monthly support of 3,000 TL for a duration of six months; master’s students receive 10,000 TL for a period of twelve months; PhD students receive 14,000 TL for a period of twenty-four months; and postdoctoral researchers receive 19,000 TL for a period of twelve months. Special Call for Earthquake Region Universities (BİNBİRÇABA) On February 6, 2023, “Special Call for Earthquake Region Universi- ties-BİNBİRÇABA” was declared on March 1, 2023, within the scope of “1001-The Scientific and Technological Research Projects Funding Pro- gramme” in order to support the R&D activities of our researchers re- siding in Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Adıyaman, Adana, Diyarbakır, Elazığ, Gaziantep, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye and Şanlıurfa provinces affected by the earthquake and to mitigate the impact of the earthquake on the re- search ecosystem in the affected region. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 565 By directing their attention towards regional needs, researchers and stu- dents will remain engaged in research activities and contribute to the accumulation of knowledge in these provinces in response to this call. A total of 681 project applications were submitted in response to the “Special Call for Earthquake Region Universities-BİNBİRÇABA.” Out of these, 122 received financial support amounting to 70,623,873.10 TL. 1501 and 1507 Earthquake Region Private Sector Call (TEKNOÇA- BA) In order to assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in the earthquake-affected provinces with project-based research, tech- nology development, and innovation endeavours, “2023-EARTHQUAKE REGION Special Call-TEKNOÇABA” was opened within the scope of 1501-Industrial R&D Projects Grant Programme and 1507-SME R&D Start-up Support Programme carried out by the Technology and Innova- tion Support Programmes Directorate (TEYDEB). Within the scope of the call, 27 projects are currently being assessed, and it has been determined that 26 projects will be granted support. 566 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS 4007 Disaster Zone “Science is Everywhere” Special Support Call 4007 Disaster Zone “Science is Everywhere” Special Support Call was prepared for 11 provinces directly affected by the earthquakes in our country, as well as the Gürün district of Sivas province. Within the scope of the call, projects aiming to carry out workshop activities for all stu- dents from pre-school to high school were supported, contributing to the integration of children and young people living in the earthquake zone into their daily lives with scientific activities. 106 applications were made to the 4007 Disaster Zone “Science is Every- where” Special Support Call, and 52 projects were decided to be support- ed. Within the scope of the programme, all 52 projects carried out their activities, and more than 50,000 people participated in these activities. In the call, where the upper limit of support was set at 75,000 TL, the average project budget was 64,000 TL, and approximately 3,300,000 TL of support was allocated to the project coordinators. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 567 Virtual Conference on Earthquake Research In 2021, within the scope of the “Call for Earthquake Research” opened within the framework of the “1001-The Scientific and Technological Re- search Projects Funding Programme” and within the scope of the 1002- C Fieldwork Urgent Support Programme Focused on Natural Disasters, which was opened after the February 6 earthquakes, the event was held to evaluate the progress made so far in the projects supported, plan pro- jects for the future, increase the interaction between the projects, and share the findings, goals achieved and anticipated contributions of the supported projects. On March 30, 2023, the opening remarks of the event were delivered by the Vice President, the Minister of Industry and Technology, the Pres- ident of the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK) and the Head of the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD). The event, which was broadcast live on the TÜBİTAK YouTube channel, was organised in 17 sessions. 568 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS TÜBİTAK 1007-Türkiye Paleoseismology Research Project AFAD and the Directorate General of Mineral Research and Exploration (MTA) are the institutions requiring support for the Project for Deter- mining the Paleoseismological Characteristics of Türkiye’s Active Faults, which is supported by TÜBİTAK under the 1007-Public Institutions Re- search and Development Projects Support Programme. The Union of Municipalities of Türkiye will serve as the intermediary organisation to encourage local governments to implement the findings of the project. The project was put into effect on September 1, 2023. The presentation and signing ceremony of the “Research Platform for Determining the Paleoseismological Characteristics of Türkiye’s Active Faults” was held. More than 100 researchers and 90 fellows from 22 universities, includ- ing AFAD and MTA, 14 of whom are project managers, contribute to the project. Scientists will determine the geometries of the active faults, the recurrence periods of earthquakes in the relevant fault segments, the last surface rupture dates and slip rates, and the average slip amount in each earthquake through analyses to be carried out at the TÜBİTAK MAM AMS Laboratory, which is at international standards and sustained with the latest methods and own resources. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 569 The research to be carried out will reveal the earthquake scenarios that may affect residential areas in the regions where active faults are locat- ed. This study, which will contribute to the development of databases, will be an important data source that can be used to update the Türkiye Earthquake Hazard Map prepared by AFAD. The scientific outputs that will be acquired through the established platform will enable the most accurate prediction of earthquakes, a critical factor in constructing dis- aster-resilient cities and mitigating hazards and risks associated with earthquakes prior to their occurrence. These outputs will also provide data for minimising earthquake damages to residential areas against possible devastating earthquakes in densely populated areas. 570 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Projects And Activities Of The TÜBİTAK Research Centres And Institute Projects and Activities of the TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Centre (MAM) Immediately after the earthquakes in Pazarcık (Mw = 7.8) and Elbistan (Mw = 7.6) districts of Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023, two teams from the TÜBİTAK MAM Earth Sciences Research Group proceeded to the earthquake-stricken zone and established 8 aftershock monitoring stations within the scope of the Post-Earthquake Emergency Observa- tion Studies (DEPAR-II) Project being carried out at TÜBİTAK MAM. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 571 Aftershocks were monitored 24/7 at a total of 15 near-field earthquake monitoring stations, including 7 seismological monitoring stations operated within the scope of the “Gaziantep Province Seismic Hazard Assessment Project” initiated in 2020 in response to the earthquake hazards in the region. The recordings of the aftershocks that continue intensively in the region were transmitted to our centre, and data pro- cessing operations were carried out instantly. Within the framework of the efforts made, • Seismic hazard maps were prepared for the fault segments posing a threat to Gaziantep province; • Damage distribution was obtained for scenario earthquakes; • Building inventory representing the whole province was compiled, and site classification (Vs30) and ground vibration frequency maps identifying the local ground conditions were developed. Commencing in May, the NSF RAPID project was executed in collabora- tion with TÜBİTAK MAM, the University of Missouri, and Georgia Tech. 136 seismological stations were deployed throughout the provinces of Adıyaman, Kahramanmaraş, Kayseri, Osmaniye, Adana, and Hatay. Ob- servations continued in July, when 72 additional stations were installed perpendicular to the fault lineament in the earthquake zone for a special study. In September 2023, fieldwork was concluded. By utilising the data obtained from the cutting-edge measurement systems that were deployed in the area as part of the project, precise estimations of earthquake pa- rameters will be possible. Additionally, a comprehensive account of the seismic activity in the near-field fault systems will be furnished. 572 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS A cartographic representation of the Gaziantep Seismological Observa- tion Network, which was implemented and operated in accordance with the DEPAR-2 initiative (represented by yellow triangles), international joint project observation stations (represented by red triangles), and pro- file stations (represented by green triangles) that intersected faults. Faults are denoted by slender black lines. Indicated by black stars are the three significant earthquakes. Seismological networks operated by the AFAD Earthquake Research De- partment and the Boğaziçi University Kandilli Observatory and Earth- quake Research Institute (BÜ-KRDAE) provided access to all gathered data. Efforts are underway to ascertain earthquake parameters with heightened sensitivity by including data from stations in close proximi- ty to the region. The dense seismological observation network employs artificial intelligence algorithms to analyse the seismic data obtained. In addition, expert evaluations are utilised to ascertain earthquake param- eters with exceptional accuracy. Critical data such as fault mechanism solutions, stress distributions, the distribution of seismic gaps and ener- gy transfers, and orientation zones are derived from these studies. • The Mobile Seismic Receiver Array (HSAD) measurement system was developed by the TÜBİTAK MAM Earth Sciences Research TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 573 Group to examine deformation and structural damage that takes place within the earthquake zone. The provinces of Diyarbakır and Hatay utilised this 48-channel measurement system, capable of cap- turing information across various frequency bands. The outcomes of this investigation were duly communicated to the relevant institu- tions and organisations. • Measurements are currently being conducted using three Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) owned by TÜBİTAK MAM for geodetic studies as part of the TÜBİTAK 1002-C Natural Disasters Focused Field Study Emergency Support Programme, which is led by Boğaziçi University. The project is called the “Mw 7.8 Pazarcık (Kah- ramanmaraş) Earthquake Series” and is a collaboration between the TÜBİTAK MAM Earth Sciences Research Group, Yıldız Technical University, and Istanbul Technical University. Mobile Seismic Receiver Array Measurement System developed by TÜBİTAK MAM Earth Sciences Research Group for rapid measurement in earthquake zones. 574 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Geodetic measurement in the “Mw 7.7 Pazarcık (Kahramanmaraş) Earth- quake Series” project. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 575 TÜBİTAK Informatics and Information Security Research Centre (BİLGEM) Projects and Activities Artificial Intelligence Based Matching Program (DeepSIGHT) The IDs of those rescued from the rubble and transported to hospitals were performed using the DeepSIGHT Face Recognition System, which safeguards our nation’s strategic facilities and was customised for earth- quake victims through diligent and expeditious effort. By means of biometric analysis, the images of the children are matched to those of children who have been reported missing or shared on social media plat- forms. Thus, the expeditious identification of missing children can be achieved, thereby guaranteeing their safety via identification processes. The Ministry of Family and Social Services has been actively using TÜBİTAK BİLGEM’s DeepSIGHT face recognition and matching soft- ware. For the benefit of the families of the children who emerged from the wreckage but whose relatives could not be located, this mechanism has been implemented as quickly as possible. To date, the DeepSIGHT system has successfully matched over 300 children. Furthermore, the official integration of the DeepSIGHT system into the E-Pulse system was successfully completed. 576 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS TÜBİTAK BİLGEM Disaster Management Programme TÜBİTAK BİLGEM established the Disaster Management Programme with the objective of developing technologies that can aid search and rescue teams and disaster victims in the before and after of catastrophes such as fires, floods, and earthquakes. The Disaster Management Programme was formally inaugurated at TÜBİTAK BİLGEM on May 1, 2023. R&D projects are in progress. TÜBİTAK National Academic Network and Information Centre (ULAKBIM) Projects and Activities • After the February 6 earthquake disaster, the ULAKBULUT group immediately allocated 236 vCPUs, 1 TB of RAM, and 40 TB of storage support to universities in the region. • Türk Telekom was engaged in efforts to restore the ULAKNET con- nections of universities that were impacted by the earthquake. In cases where it was required, the connections were expeditiously re- located to buildings that had not been damaged. • The incentive payment for International Scientific Publications In- centive (UBYT) applications submitted from earthquake provinces was prioritised over all other UBYT applications submitted in 2023, as part of the TÜBİTAK Türkiye UBYT Programme, with the inten- tion of encouraging scientific research in earthquake-affected cities. • Many scientists conducted field research in the afflicted region af- ter the earthquakes and shared their findings to the general pub- lic. Accordingly, a resolution was reached to include a special issue entitled “February 2023, Southern Türkiye Earthquake Sequence” in the Turkish Journal of Earth Sciences, which was published by TÜBİTAK, in December 2023. This special issue was devoted to the aforementioned earthquakes and the individuals who perished in them. A geoscientific analysis of seismic events was presented, and six articles covering diverse aspects were accepted for publication. The full texts of the articles in the special issue will be published at https://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/earth/. TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 577 • Technical infrastructure, hosting, and technical support services are provided to journals by DergiPark. Earthquake zone extension work- ers have been prioritised in these matters and their work has been facilitated. • The ULAKFKM (ULAKDisasterRecoveryCenter) initiative aims to fortify universities’ data redundancy and safeguard them against potential disaster hazards. Publications of Public Institutions on Earthquake Directorate of Communications February 6, 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes Disaster of the Century Book (in 3 Languages) February 6, 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes Solidarity of the Century Book (in 3 Languages) 578 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS Türkiye National Risk Shield Model Opinions and Suggestions Book Disaster Communication Forum Resilience, Response, and Recovery Book TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 579 Hakikat Mücadelesi (The Struggle for Truth) Newspaper 580 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS TRT “Disaster Management and Media” Issue of TRT Academy Journal Ministry of Health Medical Diary in the Disaster of the Century Book TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 581 Health Care in the Disaster of the Century Book Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry “February 6 Earthquake” Special Issue of Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry 582 | DISASTER OF THE CENTURY’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY: RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS The book on the aftermath of February 6 TÜRKİYE’S MOBILIZATION FOR REBUILDING AND RECOVERY | 583 Ministry of National Defense Social Media, News Studies, Press Releases Booklet