By Hazal Toprak – ISL Turkey
Two earthquakes have devastated southern Turkey and northern Syria this Monday, one measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale at 4:17 a.m. and another measuring 7.6 at 1:30 p.m. Over 6,000 lives have been lost and counting, 20,000 have been injured and tens of thousands are still missing. More than 6,000 buildings have collapsed in 10 affected cities.
The reaction of the Erdogan government in our country has been slow and insufficient. There are still areas where no aid has reached. People are left to fend for themselves, without electricity, water, natural gas or internet, with thousands still trapped under the rubble dying of hypothermia in the middle of a harsh winter.
Since the 1999 Istanbul earthquake, the state has collected earthquake taxes, but those funds have not gone to strengthening anti-seismic infrastructure. In addition to old buildings, hospitals and public housing built with these funds by the AKP government have collapsed.
Additionally, experts who have been warning for years of the probability of major earthquakes and of the need to improve the poor infrastructure of the area have been ignored.
Faced with the inaction of the State, the people are mobilizing. Rescue efforts are self-organized as best as possible in each area. Socialist organizations, unions and other voluntary associations are organizing collections and traveling to the affected areas to join the search and rescue efforts.
Only solidarity can save us.