The One Rent One Home campaign, launched by Izmir Metropolitan Municipality for families in need of shelter after the earthquake, reached the whole world last night through a special broadcast on Halk TV. During the night, 33 million liras of aid was collected for 98 thousand 330 families in the campaign, which was supported by the participation of important figures from Turkey and abroad. Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Tunç SoyerStating that the campaign will continue until not a single earthquake victim is left in the open, he said that as of today, the total amount of support has exceeded 350 million liras.
The “One Rent One Home” campaign launched by the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality with the Needs Map in order to find a solution to the housing problem after the earthquake disasters that caused great destruction in 11 provinces grew with solidarity. Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor in the program "One Rent One Home Special" organized by Halk TV in the studio prepared at the Ahmed Adnan Saygun Art Center (AASSM). Tunç Soyer and his wife, İzmir Village Cooperative Union President Neptün Soyer, also answered the phone calls.
With the campaign that brings together those who want to make rent aid or open their empty house to earthquake victims and those who need a house to stay, on the "birkirabiryuva.org" website, a call was made to Turkey and the world from the beginning of the screen. President of the aid campaign Tunç Soyerhosted by artists, journalists, politicians, mayors and volunteers from different countries of the world.
The target set to solve the housing problem of 28 families waiting for a house was exceeded in the program, which was opened with the song "Ne Cry", sung by the artist Cem Adrian. Beyond the set target, support was provided to 466 earthquake survivor families. Thus, a solidarity amount of 4 million TL was reached for 632 thousand 33 families in total.
Kılıçdaroğlu: “We will overcome these days in solidarity”
Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who participated in the program, which received support from all over Turkey and the world, transferred a salary to the campaign. Kılıçdaroğlu said, “First of all, I would like to thank İzmir Metropolitan Municipality for their One Rent One Home campaign, and also to Halk TV for opening their screens to this campaign. Most of our citizens in the region are homeless, buildings and residences have been destroyed, we have all seen this. I personally witnessed this by going to the region three times. Houses that are not demolished are not entered due to anxiety, which is the truth. There is a need for tents and containers in the region. There is also a need for financial support for our people who have temporarily left the provinces. This comes out as a second fact. The more people we can touch, the more people we can reach out, the better. I believe that our nation will overcome these days in solidarity.”
Soyer: “We will continue”
Stating that 28 families applied for housing within the scope of the campaign, the President stated that they fixed this number before the special broadcast. Tunç SoyerStating that they reduced this figure to zero with the night of solidarity and exceeded the target, “I am proud. Donations went up. However, our campaign is not limited to tonight, it will continue. Because the earthquake really had consequences that affected the lives of 13-14 million people. There are tens of thousands out there who have to make a living. The target is too big, too long. We thank our volunteers. We are proud of each of them. It was an extraordinary marathon. We will continue until not a single earthquake survivor is left in the open, until there is not a single earthquake survivor in a tent or container, and until we build a nest where they can all lay their heads. The campaign has 4 titles corresponding to the slot. Tent, container, a rented house or an empty house of a citizen who wants to use his house. Our campaign will continue on these topics," he said.
Political leaders also joined the campaign
IYI Party Deputy Chairman Bahadır Erdem also shared the message of IYI Party Chairman Meral Akşener. Bahadır Erdem stated that Meral Akşener stated that she would cover the rent of three families and said, “Our President conveys his love and respect to our nation. The help of this nation to our nation is a real help. This is not a show. Our nation is providing the most valuable aid tonight,” he said.
Drawing attention to the importance of the campaign, DEVA Party Chairman Ali Babacan said, “I want to contribute with my 1 salary. Thank you again. May God not show us such painful days again," he said. Future Party Chairman Ahmet Davutoğlu said, “We want to make a modest contribution by covering the rent of a family for one year with my wife, Ms. Sare. I congratulate everyone who wants to provide a home for earthquake victims," he said. Democrat Party Chairman Gültekin Uysal, who stated that there was great pain, said, “This pain shakes our hearts. Of course we will heal our wounds. I would like to participate in this campaign with a rental fee of 10," he said.
“We all felt this pain”
Making a donation on behalf of his family, Halk TV Chairman of the Board Cafer Mahiroğlu said, “I wish we had not experienced such a night. "Unfortunately, we have experienced this pain and we have all felt the pain," he said.
International support
The President attended the solidarity night organized to expand the One Rent One Home Campaign. Tunç SoyerMayors from all over the world and representatives of many international associations and organizations expressed their support.
Florence Mayor and Eurocities President Dario Nardella, President of the World Union of Municipalities (UCLG) and Mayor of Montevideo Caroline Cosse and UCLG Secretary General Emilia Saiz, Mayor of Sarajevo Benjamina Karic, Mayor of Hannover Belit Onay, Mayor of Skopje, Danela Arsovska, Mayor of Finnish Turku and Vice-President of the World Association of Sustainable Cities (ICLEI) Minna Arve, and Former Member of the US House of Representatives Patrick Hays expressed that they share Turkey's pain and will give all necessary support for the region to stand up again.