Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum Pledges Continued Support for Earthquake-Stricken Kahramanmaraş
Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum stated that the sorrow from the earthquake that struck Kahramanmaraş on February 6 still lies heavy in his heart. “In those days, we revived the spirit of the National Struggle. Under the leadership of our President, we will continue our work day and night with our team. As we always say, the distress of the earthquake zone is our distress, and their joy is our joy. We don’t have a second to lose. As such, we will not stop or rest with our entire team,” he said.
Minister Kurum made these remarks during visits and inspections in Kahramanmaraş. After attending the Provincial Coordination Meeting, he inspected ongoing construction sites in central reserve areas. Visiting the model apartment and school in the symbolic Azerbaijani neighborhood, Minister Kurum said, “The sorrow from the earthquake that struck on February 6 still lies heavy in our hearts. In those days, we revived the spirit of the National Struggle. We see some of the housing built with the ‘one nation, two states’ consciousness by the Azerbaijani government. In this academic year, children affected by the earthquake will be schooled here. Seeing the smiling faces of Kahramanmaraş’s children is priceless.”
“WORKING WITH A SPIRIT OF MOBILIZATION DURING THE CATASTROPHE OF THE CENTURY”
Highlighting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s leadership during every disaster, Minister Kurum stated, “Just as we have stood by our nation during every earthquake, flood, and fire, we worked with a spirit of mobilization with our ministers, deputies, municipalities, and our nation during the catastrophe of the century.”
“WE WILL PUT OUR ENTIRE BEING INTO THE WORK”
Minister Kurum said that they have provided homes to 17,592 earthquake-affected families in Kahramanmaraş, and that the construction and planning of 71,568 residences and businesses are ongoing. “Our hand and heart will always be with the earthquake zone. Our doors will be open 24/7 to all our deputies, citizens, and mayors in the region. Our entire team will go directly to our citizens. We will put all our efforts into meeting their expectations and put our entire being into this work. We will reunite our citizens with their homes as quickly as possible,” he stated.
MINISTER KURUM ANNOUNCES FOR THE FIRST TIME
Minister Kurum shared a much-anticipated update for Kahramanmaraş residents for the first time. “There is a process related to landslide areas and fault lines here. Professors are working on areas unsuitable for settlement and fault protection zones where citizens cannot reside. They are conducting micro-zoning and ground surveys, taking samples and sending them to international laboratories. Necessary precautions and ground improvements have been taken for the landslide risk in the Boğaziçi area, and a preliminary report suggests that settlement is possible. Next week, we will share the final outcome for Boğaziçi. In October, we will inform citizens regarding the Vadi and Akçalı neighborhoods based on the reports from our professors. Additionally, our professors are examining the fault zone to determine whether the fault will produce another earthquake, with results expected in August.”
“WE DON’T HAVE A SECOND TO LOSE FOR OUR BROTHERS’ FUTURE”
Minister Kurum mentioned their visit to Malatya, “We inspected our projects on-site and conducted consultations with our governor, mayor, and NGOs. Seeing the trust and love our brothers there have for us truly made us happy. Under the leadership of our President, we will continue our work day and night to quickly lift all earthquake-damaged areas. As we have always said, the distress of the earthquake zone is our distress; their joy is our joy. We will continue our work day and night to reach those better days. We don’t have a second to lose. Therefore, we will not stop or rest with our entire team,” he concluded.