The Co-Presidency of the KCK Executive Council issued a statement in commemoration of the victims of the devastating earthquake three years ago.
The statement said: “Three years have now passed since the earthquake of February 6, which caused devastating damage, claimed tens of thousands of lives, and caused great suffering. Once again, we offer our condolences to those who lost loved ones in the earthquake, wish the best to all those still healing, and express our solidarity in sharing the immense pain experienced.
Unfortunately, despite three years having passed, the wounds of the earthquake remain unhealed, and the pain is still fresh. Those primarily responsible for alleviating the suffering and eliminating the destruction are not acting in accordance with this responsibility. They are neither developing the necessary plans and projects for reconstruction nor are they working on better prevention of a recurrence of such a scenario. The plans and projects developed so far have been inadequate and have been aimed at profit rather than anything else. This both deepens the suffering and increases the victimization of the people.”
The statement added: “This colonialist, rent-seeking mentality is the real cause of the destruction and suffering. If development had been based on the characteristics of the geography rather than exploitation, rent-seeking, and profit, there would not have been so much suffering and destruction. This is, of course, the responsibility of those who govern the country. The failure to fulfill this responsibility and the failure of those who govern the country to act in the interests of society became apparent with the earthquake on February 6, 2023.
Natural disasters can be overcome without suffering by developing measures. It has been proven that this is possible. Unfortunately, however, because precautions were not taken, and because profit-seeking was prioritized over proper development, people have been forced to suffer greatly in every natural disaster. The earthquake of February 6, 2023, was the worst of these.”
The statement continued: “The solidarity that developed in society in the aftermath of the earthquake prevented the suffering from becoming even greater. This has been an important experience of democratic organization and self-governance for society. Continuing to develop this spirit of solidarity and making it permanent through democratic institutionalization is the most important social need.
Once again, we commemorate the February 6 earthquake, express our solidarity with the suffering of the people, and affirm our solidarity with society.”