Speaking at an iftar in Elazığ, Erdoğan said: “We are rapidly finalizing our debris removal and damage assessment efforts while also simultaneously starting the construction of our post-earthquake houses. So far, we have started the construction of over 67 thousand residences and village houses across the region.”

“Our 85 million citizens are shouldering the burdens of our quake victims”

“In these difficult days when we are struggling with the disaster of the century, our people are rewriting the book of solidarity. So much so that our philanthropists are more generous than ever this Ramadan, our foundations and associations are more active this year than ever, our municipalities are trying to lend a helping hand wherever there is a person in need and to meet their needs. The relevant institutions of our state are making extraordinary efforts to heal the wounds as soon as possible. All our 85 million citizens are shouldering the burden of our earthquake victims with a consciousness that no other nation in the world can match,” President Erdoğan said.

“As a nation, we woke up on the morning of February 6 to one of the biggest natural disasters not only in our history but also in the history of humanity. The 7.7 and 7.6 magnitude earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş caused destruction and loss of life across 11 provinces, including Elazığ,” President Erdoğan noted.

“I wish Allah’s mercy upon each and every one of the more than 50 thousand people who lost their lives in the earthquakes and I wish patience to their relatives. There are no words that can sufficiently describe both the magnitude of the disaster we have experienced and the sorrow that our lost lives have brought to our hearts. We are aware that no matter what we do, we cannot bring back those who have gone, but we also know very well that it is possible to compensate for all our losses except for the loss of life,” Erdoğan said.

“We will build 7,452 post-disaster houses in Elazığ”

“We are rapidly finalizing our debris removal and damage assessment efforts while also simultaneously starting the construction of our post-earthquake houses. So far, we have started the construction of over 67 thousand residences and village houses across the region. Every day, every hour, we are breaking ground for new houses. This number is constantly increasing. We aim to build a total of 650 thousand residences, 319 thousand of which will be built within the first year, and deliver them to earthquake victims. We will also build 7,452 post-disaster residences in Elazığ. Today, we laid the foundations of a total of 31,663 residences, 505 of which are in our city,” Erdoğan said. (ILKHA)