Kandilli Observatory initiates a project to inform people about earthquakes with a mascot called Sismail, while there are no serious measures to strengthen or renew weak buildings in Istanbul, which awaits a big disaster in the near future.
Living under the perpetual shadow of an anticipated earthquake that will lay waste to Europe's biggest metropolis Istanbul, a new project to raise awareness in society on earthquakes will launch in October – eight years after the great Marmara earthquake that killed more than 17,00 people.
Sensitivity to Earthquake Project, organized by Boğaziçi University Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute aims to lessen possible loss of life and property by “making people realize the danger and take necessary measures,” said project coordinator Professor Niyazi Türkelli, at a media presentation introducing the project. The project will try to contribute to “creating a culture of being protected from earthquakes,” as well.
Supported by the metropolitan municipality and the governor's office, the project will be the first to directly address people and inform them, in a country where 40 percent of its provinces face a very high earthquake risk. Earthquake training trucks that have been prepared for the project will first cover Istanbul as the pilot region and then move to other regions. A Web site with comprehensive information about earthquakes will be launched, while activities like short film competitions and theater plays will be held in cooperation with schools. The mascot of the project, Sismail – whose name is the combination of the word seismology and a male Turkish name İsmail, will also help in attracting the interest of children.
Will the project save lives?
Although a project to raise awareness has vital significance in saving lives, the first and foremost measure to prevent massive losses during a possible earthquake is to strengthen and renew the buildings. A master plan to deal with the aftermath of an earthquake was completed in 2003 in cooperation with four universities, but the municipalities are waiting for the draft law on urban transformation to pass.
The reality of weakened buildings exists, said Niyazi Türkelli, answering a question by the Turkish Daily News on whether the project would save lives while there is no serious work to strengthen buildings. Türkelli said that the institute is an educational initiative and has to fulfill its own responsibility, “It is not for us to answer this question.” However, there are some improvements in regard to construction regulations and controls, according to Türkelli. The project manager, Süheyla Sezan, who created the project as well, emphasized that serious works are being carried out to strengthen public buildings.
Professor Miktad Kadıoğlu from Istanbul Technical University Disaster Management Center emphasized as well that Turkey needs a change of mind about disasters. “Turkey does not have a mindset for disaster management,” he said, “We should get rid of the mentality of crisis management and establish risk management.”
There are works and improvements to get prepared for a possible earthquake but they are not sufficient, according to Kadıoğlu. “[The improvements] are like a speck of sand on the beach. We need total mobilization,” he said.
