The same team from the 1999 earthquake came together in Malatya.
Right after the 1999 earthquake, RC Alumni Association president Arif Akdağ helped coordinate foreign teams arriving at Atatürk Airport. The Malaysian team was one of the last to arrive, and they asked Akdağ to join them in Gölcük. They stayed in touch over the years, so when the earthquakes hit on February 6 and they returned to Turkey to help, they asked Akdağ to join them. The team spent 13 days in Nurdağ, Gaziantep. Akdağ shares the experience.
"Getting together with the same group of Malaysian rescuers after 24 years was incredible. Both the extent of the devastation and presence of volunteers from all over the country were astonishing. Everything had collapsed. In front of each building were 50-100 people waiting day and night for their families. They wouldn’t leave the site, even though it was -9 degrees, sleeping on cardboard, trying to reach loved ones alive or dead. Volunteers showed up with whatever support they could provide. For example, one person with a generator attached to his car showed up. One company who builds ships sent a container and was giving out soup.
"I believe everybody should go to the earthquake region to understand the needs of those affected. Each alumnus has the capacity to do something positive there. People will need to re-establish businesses, make money, re-build homes. Kids need to go to school. They will need all the help they can get from the unaffected populations.
"In addition, we all need to be more knowledgeable about earthquakes and how to prepare for disasters. The RC ecosystem (alumni, parents, administration, trustees) should prepare a plan on how to help our community and those affected in the event of another large earthquake."
Published April 2023
