Dursun Özbek speaks: Let us not withdraw our support from the earthquake zone

Galatasaray President Dursun Özbek made statements at the Ordinary Board of Trustees meeting. Emphasizing that they must remain in contact with the earthquake zone, Özbek said, "I believe it is very important that we do not physically withdraw our presence from the region."
At the meeting, Galatasaray Board of Directors General Secretary Eray Yazgan provided information to the board members regarding the work carried out by the club following the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023, which affected 11 provinces. AKUT Foundation 2nd President Saydun Gökşin also made statements regarding the GS Search and Rescue Team and the scope of their work.

"I BELIEVE WE SHOULD NOT PHYSICALLY WITHDRAW OUR PRESENCE FROM THE REGION"

In his statement at the meeting, Galatasaray President Dursun Özbek stated that he was in Kahramanmaraş in the earthquake zone on the anniversary of the disaster, saying, "A year has passed since the earthquake. We were in the region yesterday; we went to Maraş. What are the expectations of the people in the region who suffered this great disaster? From the very first day, there may be needs for emergency relief supplies, accommodation spaces, or permanent housing to prevent the migration of the workforce, but all of these have already been done. In my opinion, one of the most prominent expectations of the people in the region is that we remain in constant contact with them, embrace them, shake their hands, and ask how they are doing; this comes even before material aid. During our visits, people come up and say, 'Welcome, Mr. President.' The expressions they use, what they tell us, and the things they express while crying as they speak, gave me the feeling that this human touch is very important. We went to the cemetery to recite a Fatiha for those who lost their lives. An elderly gentleman came and said, 'Mr. President, I lost two of my sons in this earthquake. Two lion-hearted young men. They were Galatasaray fans. Would you recite a Fatiha as their president?' I did, and I talked with him for a while. We will do everything we can there, but I believe it is very important that we do not physically withdraw our presence from the region. At the same time, disasters are times to demonstrate virtues. We, too, have mobilized our strength and resources with the awareness that we are the most organized non-governmental organization in our country. We have also taken permanent and sustainable steps for the future. I send my thanks to the AKUT instructors. I would like to conclude my remarks by commemorating my brother Şevket Keresteci, whom we lost at a young age in 2017. I wish mercy upon you and all our brothers and sisters who lost their lives in the February 6 earthquakes, and I wish patience for their dear families," he said.
Later, the instructor candidates of the first response team established by the yellow-reds in cooperation with the AKUT Foundation also received their certificates.