President Erdoğan speaks on 6.2 magnitude earthquake following Cabinet meeting

AKP Chairman and President Erdoğan made statements following the Cabinet meeting. Erdoğan spoke about the earthquake.

Here are the highlights from Erdoğan's statement:

-We have concluded another meeting where we addressed many issues. 

-We have spent another two weeks full of services and works. We launched the excavation of the Silvan Irrigation Canal Tunnel. It is a magnificent work that will be brought to life with an investment of 12 billion liras. It will be the largest irrigation tunnel in our country. 

-On Friday, April 18, we came together with parliaments that support Palestine. The criticisms directed at us by those who, until just yesterday, claimed that supporting Palestine was supporting terrorism, have no value. Just like East Jerusalem and the West Bank, Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people. They will continue to live in the lands where they were born forever. The Palestinian people have shown many times that they will not bow to the oppressor. It must now be seen that there is nowhere to be reached by shedding more blood and leaving people hungry and thirsty. We will continue to work for peace and stability from now on as well. 

-KADEM's 5th ordinary general assembly served to underline the importance given to women's rights and the family institution. We embraced our fellow citizens in Bağcılar with the opening of the hospital built in Bağcılar.

-We aim to bring 23 hospitals with a capacity of 16,000 beds, which are in the planning stage, to our Istanbul. The construction of our 11 city hospitals continues. 

POPULATION PROBLEM IS TURNING INTO A SURVIVAL ISSUE

 -Turkey has reached a critical junction in terms of population growth rate. The population issue is increasingly turning into a matter of national survival. Our birth rate, which is heading toward 1.57, has clearly revealed the danger. If we do not take the necessary precautions now, we may face greater difficulties tomorrow.

-One of the factors that has made Turkey a country that is pointed to as an example is satellite technology. Turkey has entered the ranks of the 11 countries capable of producing their own communication satellites. 

-On April 22, we held a productive meeting with the Governor-General of Australia, who visited our country on the occasion of the anniversary of the Gallipoli land battles. The visit of Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif to our country coincided with a sensitive time in the context of regional developments. We announce at every opportunity that we do not want new conflicts in our region and beyond.

-On April 23, we hosted hundreds of children at our presidential complex on the occasion of the TRT Children's Festival.

-On April 24, we were at the opening of the UEFA Istanbul representative office. 

-I offer my condolences for our brothers and sisters who lost their lives in the explosion that occurred in Iran.

 -Tomorrow, we will go to Italy for the 4th Turkey-Italy Intergovernmental Summit. 

-The 6.2 magnitude earthquake that occurred in Istanbul on April 23 and was also felt in surrounding provinces deeply affected us all. We had no loss of life and no citizens were injured due to the earthquake. 

-The earthquake, which occurred approximately 7 km below the surface, lasted 13 seconds. There were 487 aftershocks. Elazığ was also shaken by a 4.9 magnitude earthquake.

-I wish mercy upon those who lost their lives in the landslide that occurred in the Canik district of Samsun.

-As soon as we received the news of the earthquake, we sent our ministers to Istanbul. We activated our disaster response program. A total of 11,481 search and rescue personnel and 903 vehicles were made ready. The Turkish Red Crescent (Kızılay) mobilized 2,925 volunteers with 319 vehicles and 1,568 personnel. A total of 6 aircraft took off for observation purposes. 136 additional base stations were activated. 

MINOR DAMAGE DETECTED IN 1,903 BUILDINGS

-Our municipalities in surrounding provinces rushed to Istanbul immediately to support our brothers and sisters affected by the earthquake. Despite all attempts at obstruction, we reached 1.2 million of our people. Nation's Gardens (Millet Bahçeleri) served citizens who were hesitant to enter their homes. We provided shelter for over 200,000 citizens. Damage assessments were carried out on 22,126 buildings and 243,301 independent units. Minor damage was detected in 1,903 buildings and 28,254 independent units. The Ministry of Family and Social Services provided services with 629 personnel. 

-Since Wednesday, we have been subjected to such slanders that it was impossible to remain silent. We have experienced this many times in natural disasters in the past. The leader of the main opposition, who has been harping on about our earthquake efforts, could only remember the way to Istanbul 5 days later. This means being completely disconnected from the nation's agenda; no lessons were learned from the mistakes that offended our nation during the February 6 earthquakes. We also followed the process from Ankara at first, receiving the most up-to-date information from AFAD and issuing instructions. We have put up a great struggle regarding earthquakes for the last 5 years. 

-If we had surrendered to the pressures of the opposition and marginal circles on this issue, we could have faced much more painful things. I am addressing those here who want to darken the housing dreams of our low-income citizens: Istanbul is not a city to be sacrificed for your political ambition goals. 

-It is now time to produce solutions, not excuses. Whatever position we are in, our duty is to make our city earthquake-resistant as soon as possible. Let us keep earthquake-related issues out of daily politics. With these thoughts, before I conclude my words, I hope we will carry out the appointment of 1,381 disabled teachers on Saturday. 

News Source: 12punto