Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar visited the tent city established in Harbiye for earthquake victims and Mehmetçik School. Speaking after the visit, Minister Akar said that Turkey was experiencing a great disaster and that the state and nation were standing from the very first moment of the earthquake.
Stating that a great struggle was given to heal the wounds in the earthquake area, Minister Akar stated that they are with the citizens day and night.
Minister Akar stated that great progress has been made since the 6th of February, when the earthquake occurred, and noted that all ministries, especially our President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the relevant personnel, governors, district governors and municipalities put a great effort to solve the problems and heal the wounds.
Emphasizing that they are fighting shoulder to shoulder with the citizens, with one heart and one fist, Minister Akar underlined that they will continue to work for the solution of the problems and heal the wounds.
Stating that as the Turkish Armed Forces, Mehmetçi rushed to the side of the citizens from the first moment of the earthquake, Minister Akar stated that firstly the removal of the wreckage and search and rescue efforts, and then the work on housing, food, drink and health were carried out with great sacrifice and determination.
Emphasizing that they stand by the citizens, Minister Akar said, “From the first moment, Mehmetçik continued and continues to work with great devotion and determination, day and night, in order to heal the wounds.” said.
Stating that after the earthquake, an air bridge was established for the planes arriving in the region, and the village was not left by helicopters, Minister Akar said that they did everything to be done in terms of food, drink, humanitarian aid and health, especially tents, to all villages.
WE ATTENTION TO THE EDUCATION OF OUR YOUTH
Minister Akar stated that the issue of food is important and that they are trying to meet the needs of the citizens with the mobile kitchens and ovens they opened, and said, “We have opened a kitchen and an oven where 10 thousand people can eat morning, lunch and evening meals a day. They also continue to work intensively.” said.
Reminding that after the earthquakes, first the food packages were distributed and then mobile kitchens were established, Minister Akar said:
“We have reached the capacity to serve hot meals to 158-160 thousand people per day in the earthquake zone. In addition, we produce 385 breads every day in the earthquake zone. We have tried our best to ensure that these works will continue to increase, and we are showing. We have continued our efforts to meet the needs of our citizens in our kitchen for 10 thousand people, and we continue to do so. While we continue to work to minimize the effects of the earthquake, to overcome the burden and difficulties, and to heal the wounds, on the other hand, we pay attention to the education of our youth. We strive to meet the need here by establishing Mehmetçik Schools in the form of kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools and high schools, within the framework of our work with the Ministry of National Education, so that our young people do not fall behind from their schools and education is not interrupted.”
Minister Akar stated that they provided books and documents to meet the needs of young people in preparation for university and said, “Our teachers are ready. Here, we will help our students and young people prepare for university.” he said.
WE MOVED ALL OUR OPPORTUNITIES
Giving information about the works carried out in earthquake zones, Minister Akar said:
“From February 6 until today, we have covered very important distances, very important steps have been taken. We are aware that we have more work to do besides these. Our state and our nation are standing on this issue. We carry on our work in coordination, shoulder to shoulder, in coordination, as one fist and one heart. Hopefully we will heal all these wounds. Thankfully, we, as the state, the nation, and the Armed Forces, have the power, the means, and the power in this regard. We mobilized all of these to heal these wounds from the very first moment. Similar disasters have happened to our nation before. We are confident that we will overcome this, just as we have struggled with them, and how we have overcome them. The Turkish Armed Forces, which emerged from the heart of this nation, mobilized from the very first moment to solve their problems, together with our ministry, our citizens and our nation. We mobilized all our resources. We have continued our work without interruption, and we continue to do so. Wounds will be healed. No one should have any doubt that these wounds will be healed and that we will do whatever we have to do in this regard.”
Minister Akar underlined that the TAF, which emerged from the heart of this nation, is at the command of the nation and at its duty.
WE WILL DO OUR BEST FOR NORMALIZATION
Stating that many citizens lost their lives in the earthquake and that they are in deep sorrow, Minister Akar wished God's mercy to those who lost their lives and healing to the injured.
Emphasizing that they will do everything in their power to normalize the lives of those left behind, Minister Akar expressed his gratitude to everyone who contributed to the works from within the country and abroad after the earthquake.
Minister Akar also thanked chef Mehmet Yalçınkaya, who cooks in the kitchen established by the Ministry of National Defense in Hatay.
IT WILL BE BETTER AFTER THAT
On the other hand, Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar visited the tent city, which was built by Mehmetçik in the Narlıca District of the Antakya district, and met with the earthquake victims.
Minister Akar, who is closely interested in children, said, “A great disaster, difficult days. Our pain and wounds are great. There is a great effort and effort to heal our wounds. The state and the people are here hand in hand. Together, we are trying to heal these wounds together, shoulder to shoulder. A lot of progress has been made in the works, a certain point has been reached, I hope the future will be better.” used the phrases. Citizens also expressed their satisfaction with the visit.
Minister Akar also examined the tents set up for children by the Ministry of Family and Social Services and the Ministry of National Education in the tent city and got information about the works.
Minister Akar, who later became the 2nd Border Command, inspected the headquarters building, which was damaged in the earthquake. Minister Akar, who received information on the search and rescue as well as life support activities carried out by the Union, congratulated Mehmetçi who immediately rushed to the aid of the citizens despite being damaged in the earthquake.