The earthquake in Türkiye caused the loss of over 50 thousand lives. The destroyed cities are currently being restored.

Türkiye, in particular Istanbul, is considered one of the most vulnerable cities in the world from a seismic point of view. While searching for information on this topic, a scientific article written in 2009 caught our attention.

In an article titled “An exploratory study on perceptions of seismic risk and mitigation in two districts of Istanbul”, seismologists said: “The probability of a major earthquake in Türkiye in the next 30 years is about 40 percent. Unfortunately, 96 percent of the country is at risk from earthquakes, and 98 percent of the population lives in earthquake-prone districts”.

Fifteen years later, the Turkish Seismological Center transmitted the following message: “Monday, February 6, 2023. On a cold winter day, a terrible disaster occurred that disturbed the peace of many of our brothers. Strong earthquakes of magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 were recorded in the country”.

With the first information, the whole world realized the situation was very serious. The country’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority reported that the earthquake occurred in the Kahramanmaraş district at 04:17 local time at a depth of 7 kilometers. After this, aftershocks were observed in 11 regions for half an hour.

Significant destruction occurred in Kahramanmaraş, Malatya, Şanlıurfa, and Gaziantep. High-rise buildings collapsed. Unfortunately, thousands of people died, and millions lost their homes during the harsh winter. As a result, 11 cities and regions became utterly uninhabitable. Roads, factories, schools, hospitals, markets, and offices were destroyed.

No need to say that sports competitions were canceled and students stopped studying. 124 districts, about 7 thousand villages, and mahallas were destroyed, and 14 million citizens were directly affected by the natural disaster. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Türkiye to Uzbekistan Olgan BEKAR, in an interview with UzA, recalled those days with deep sadness.

– Indeed, a strong earthquake occurred in Türkiye twice in a row. This natural disaster caused the loss of over 50 thousand of our citizens. 110 thousand people got various injuries. We called this very destructive event, which happened in one day, the disaster of the century, – the Ambassador noted.

As a result of the studies, it was found that the natural disaster caused damage to Türkiye for $149 billion. This is a serious figure, more than 10 percent of GDP.

Mr. Olgan Bekar asked to pay attention to the fact that 580 thousands of houses, 170 thousands of various buildings, and 850 thousands of independent buildings were destroyed. This exceeds the total number of residential and commercial buildings in European countries.

The strong earthquakes in Türkiye in recent years have had devastating consequences, causing thousands of casualties and huge economic losses. One of the main reasons for this is believed to be poor construction practices. Research has shown that most city buildings are 4-6 stories high and have a reinforced concrete frame. The most common defects are shown to be an incorrect structural system and the use of low-quality building materials.

It’s not good to remember a bad event, but Tashkent residents know what an earthquake is like no one else. Patience and hard work were not enough to eliminate the consequences of the earthquake in Tashkent in April 1966, building more robust, durable, and beautiful houses. As they say, a friend in need is a friend indeed.

The people of the world could not simply watch the death of millions of people due to a strong earthquake that occurred in several regions of the Republic of Türkiye. Humanitarian aid and rescue teams from various countries were mobilized. The disaster that befell the fraternal Turkish people did not leave the government of Uzbekistan indifferent.

By order of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, humanitarian aid and search and rescue units of the Ministry of Emergency Situations were sent to Türkiye, and search and rescue work was carried out for 18 days in the epicenter of the earthquake, Hatay province. Our rescuers, demonstrating their skills, rescued 18 people from the rubble. Unfortunately, the bodies of about 200 people were found.

– On the morning of February 7, one hundred rescuers from the Ministry of Emergency Situations arrived with 3 units of special equipment and dogs from 4 canine services. In the open area on the territory where the AFAD administrative building is located in Ovakent, Hatay province, 6 tents were erected, – says Ismail Sharipov, Head of the Republican Special Purpose Rescue Center. – In the humanitarian event, our compatriots, under the flag of Uzbekistan, courageously carried out their work among representatives of more than 75 leading countries and managed to raise the authority of Uzbekistan on an international scale.

We will never forget one event. The general public’s attention was attracted by the fact that Uzbekistan rescuers, 102 hours after the earthquake, rescued 32-year-old Turkish citizen Naim Bayasli from the rubble. During the interview, the Commander of the Water Rescue Team of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, Davlat Ochilov, said that he was interested in Naim’s condition and would like to talk to him by phone, if possible.

Türkiye, which began the New Year with sorrow, called on the world community and various international organizations to unite. The world’s people seemed to have witnessed the most terrible event observed in the 21st century... Anxiety in the regions did not subside, and confusion over the fact that another earthquake would occur intensified. Indeed, in those days, the strongest earthquake in the last 40 years was recorded in northwestern New York. Some areas of Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon also experienced earthquakes.

António Guterres called the disaster of the century “one of the biggest natural disasters in our times”. The UN Secretary-General called on the international community to show the people of Türkiye and Syria the same “support and generosity” it has shown to millions of displaced refugees. The heads of state supported Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

In particular, Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed condolences to the President of Türkiye in connection with the death of many people and heavy losses. The President of Uzbekistan also visited the Turkish Embassy in Tashkent and once again supported our brothers. After all, there is a wise saying: “A friend in need is a friend indeed”. In short, large-scale natural disasters and catastrophes are a test for us. Such challenges can be overcome by coming together and showing solidarity.

– The homeland of our ancestors, Uzbekistan, having received news of the earthquake, immediately took action and extended a helping hand”, the Ambassador noted. – On February 6, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev had a telephone conversation with Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Medical teams and search and rescue teams urgently left Uzbekistan. The Embassy launched a relief campaign in Tashkent. With the participation of various ministries throughout Uzbekistan, a fundraiser was launched.

The Turkish diplomat expressed satisfaction that large businesspeople also sent financial assistance. “The Embassy is aware of all these efforts. At the same time, some came from Tashkent and provided people without homes with hot meals. There was a need for this at that time”, commented Ambassador Olgan Bekar.

The Uzbek and Turkish peoples have always supported each other on good and difficult days. Friendship, brotherhood, and mutual support were especially evident during difficult times.

– A year has passed since then. Indeed, prompt measures were taken, and many of our brothers were resettled. What is their condition now?

– Until recently, 1.9 million people were housed in containers adapted for housing, some of which are still in use. Currently, 580 thousand citizens live in 186,000 containers installed in 345 cities. Housing construction continues at an accelerated pace. The reconstruction of 307 thousand houses has been activated. 210 thousand buildings are being reconstructed in their place, at the request of citizens, naturally, under the control of local authorities.

Over the past year, a colossal amount of work has been carried out in the country. The Republic of Türkiye, under Erdoğan’s leadership, has built new residential and sports complexes in the most affected regions. For example, take the province of Hatay. This region was the hardest hit in terms of casualties and destroyed buildings. Therefore, a draw for completed housing began in Hatay, with the keys being handed over to the winners.

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, under the slogan “From the disaster of the century to the unity of the centuries”, handed over the keys to houses to the neediest citizens who lost their homes due to the earthquake. In the first phase, families began moving into 7,275 apartments in the 46,000 houses built in the district. By the end of the year, 200 thousand houses will be handed over to Hatay residents.

– Currently, the government of Uzbekistan is building 306 4-story residential buildings in Hatay, – said the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. – After construction is completed, our citizens will move into beautiful houses. The apartments will be given to those in need free of charge. A ceremony to present the keys is planned, with the participation of journalists from Uzbekistan.

According to UNESCO, earthquakes rank first among natural disasters in terms of economic damage and human casualties.

Based on scientific information and articles, we can be sure that earthquakes are based on certain laws and have their own periodicity in places where seismic activity is observed. Scientists have determined that deadly earthquakes occur in the oasis once every 100 years. The terrible memories of the Tashkent earthquake have not yet left the minds of many. Let it be true that the most dangerous once-in-a-century natural disaster has passed.

The earthquake, which united the people of Türkiye and the Turkic peoples, taught how to overcome a challenging economic and social situation by relying on the state and the state, in turn, on the people.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that the entire world community has learned from Türkiye how to provide humanitarian assistance to its citizens, be close to the people in an emergency, and take quick measures to restore people’s lives and futures.

Such a tragedy can occur in any country, people, and nation. Events in Türkiye have once again confirmed that the wisest path is to always act united and shoulder to shoulder.

The trials of brotherly Türkiye did not leave any of us indifferent. The friendship between Uzbekistan and Türkiye is eternal. In any case, may the Almighty protect us from all kinds of disasters and misfortunes.

The friendship between the fraternal peoples of Uzbekistan and Türkiye, which has a centuries-old history, is based on the similarity and commonality of cultures, customs, and traditions. We have the same religion and similar languages. We are like children of the same father.

Bekhruz Khudoyberdiyev, UzA