Speaking following the Presidential Cabinet Meeting, Erdoğan, as regards the ongoing relief efforts in the earthquake zone, said: “Just as we erased the destruction’s traces and delivered new residences to their owners in a short span of time following past disasters, we will do the same this time around as well. We will provide both material and emotional support for each and every one of our citizens, and will make sure that aid and housing efforts continue in an orderly manner.”

“Our goal is to complete the construction of high-quality and safe buildings within a year in quantities enough to meet the housing needs in the entire earthquake zone. In the meantime, we are planning to meet the temporary housing needs of earthquake victims by making use of our country’s all means and resources including tents, containers, prefabricated structures, dormitories, hotel rooms and public guesthouses assigned for this purpose, and rented houses in other provinces. I want our citizens in the earthquake zone to be patient for a year,” the President said.

“We will fully compensate for the destruction caused by the earthquake”

Erdoğan pointed out: “We will inshallah fully compensate for the destruction caused by the earthquake, with the houses we will either reconstruct in their current locations or build in other suitable areas, depending on the analyses to be made. Just as we erased the destruction’s traces and delivered new residences to their owners in a short span of time following past disasters such as the Van, Elazığ, Malatya, İzmir and Bingöl earthquakes, the Kastamonu, Bartın, Sinop and Giresun floods, and the Antalya and Muğla fires, we will do the same this time around as well. We will provide both material and emotional support for each and every one of our citizens, and will make sure that aid and housing efforts continue in an orderly manner.”

“I want my citizens in the earthquake zone to cling to every aspect of their lives including their provinces, districts, neighborhoods, homes and businesses. We will alleviate the sufferings, heal the wounds, and compensate for the losses resulting from this disaster without giving into fatigue and desperation,” Erdoğan stated. 

Erdoğan continued his remarks as follows: “In this regard, we have already announced that we will offer TL15,000 for moving expenses and between TL2,000 and TL5,000 in rent aid for every house that has become non-inhabitable, as well as TL10,000 support for every household in the initial phase. We also cover the fuel expenses of those who transfer their families to the provinces outside the earthquake zone by their own vehicles. In addition, we provide TL100,000 in-cash aid to the relatives of citizens who have lost their lives in the earthquake for their urgent needs. We will provide additional support to our citizens in accordance with the needs that might arise in the upcoming days. Joining forces as the state and the nation, we will leave no victim behind.”

“100 countries have responded to our international emergency call”

Erdoğan said: “Amid the dark picture in front of us, we find the biggest consolation in the fact that search and rescue teams are still able to rescue citizens alive from under the rubble despite such long hours after the earthquake. 320 mobile soup kitchens belonging to our various institutions offer hot meals in the region every day. The Turkish Red Crescent (Kızılay) alone has served 20 million hot meals, 22 million loaves of bread, and 15.5 million bottles of water.”

“100 countries have responded to our international emergency call following the earthquake. 84 of them have actively participated in the operations on the ground with their 10,943 search and rescue personnel. Teams from four countries have returned home after completing their works. Five countries have notified our foreign missions that they would dispatch teams. I would like to underline that this figure corresponds to a very significant portion of the overall search and rescue capacity in the world. What is more, I have spoken over the phone with heads of state and government of 43 countries from across the world who have called to offer support and condolences. My treasured brother Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim as well as ministers from various countries have come to our country to offer their condolences in person,” the President stated.

Erdoğan pointed out: “Aid has been sent to our country with 444 flights from 61 countries. Our friends and brothers all across the world, from Africa to the Turkic Republics, the Gulf region to Europe, Asia to America, have mobilized for our country. On behalf of myself and my nation, I extend my gratitude to each and every one of our friends who stand by us in this difficult hour of Türkiye with their relief teams and aid as well as their commitments, emotional support, and prayers.” (ILKHA)