President Erdoğan promises monetary compensation and rapid rebuilding efforts

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In the aftermath of the disastrous February 6 earthquakes, killing over 30 thousand people in Türkiye, President Erdoğan ensured that "our citizens who lost their relatives in the earthquake will receive 100 thousand lira (4.95 thousand euro) in cash for urgent needs."

In a speech held in front of the Headquarters of the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) on February 14, he further promised that within this year, they will resolve the housing issues in the earthquake-affected area with qualitative and safe buildings. Affirming that they are able to construct 30 thousand houses as of the beginning of March.

During the construction of buildings, the AKP chair declared that they will temporarily house people in tents, container and prefabricated houses, hotels, and guesthouses.

Every household whose home is uninhabitable will receive 15 thousand lira (742.27 euro) in relocation compensation and between 5 thousand to 2 thousand lira (247.43 - 98.96 euro) in rental assistance.

"We made progress in buildings standards and inspection"

The earthquake has displaced hundreds of thousands of people, with over 1 million people living in tents and more than 41 thousand buildings demolished or heavily damaged, officials stated previously. Some of these tent camps are in appalling conditions with a lack of hygiene, heating, and medicine.

According to President Erdoğan, 98 percent of the toppled buildings were constructed before 1999. "This shows that we made progress in buildings standards and inspection," he added.

After the 1999 disastrous earthquake in İzmit, stricter construction regulations were enacted. Nonetheless, numerous new buildings were completely destroyed in the earthquake, such as the 2019 built 16-story Güçlü Bahçe City (meaning "Strong Garden'') in Antakya and the 2013 constructed Rönesans Residence in Hatay. A search has begun to find these contractors.

In addition, many critical voices address the zoning amnesties given under the AKP rule. As of recent, structures not complying with relevant requirements and earthquake regulations could get "a pardon", as long as a fine was paid. For the upcoming elections, the AKP had similar plans.

Approximately 75 thousand amnestied buildings were in the affected area, Pelin Pinar Giritlioglu, chair of the İstanbul Union of Chambers of Engineers and Urban Planners, indicated in a recent interview with BBC.

Four journalists detained

President Erdoğan, in his speech, had again a stern message against critical voices and those who do politics during the crisis, stating they will take note of those who "display all kinds of ugliness" and who "spread disinformation and devaluate altruistic endeavors."

In the last week, four journalists covering disaster-relief efforts were detained, nine were prevented from doing their job, and eight were subject to attacks, according to the watchdog Media and Law Studies Association. (AEK/WM)