Quake spotlights room for Turkey to improve building practices – UN official

The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction Margareta Wahlström said there was still room for improvement in Turkey’s building practices, but praised its progress, saying: “Turkey’s seismic code provides the basis for safer structures and better urban planning.

“The country has made progress in Istanbul and elsewhere in retrofitting and rebuilding public buildings, schools and hospitals to the required standard. There has been vigorous prosecution of corrupt municipal officials for allowing unlicensed construction,” she said.

But she noted that new buildings that follow safety standards are not the only way to minimize disaster damages, pointing to the importance of preventive measures in areas with old and poor quality buildings.

“Despite any rebuilding or retrofitting and enforcement of standards for new construction, it is clear that in most earthquake zones there are large existing stocks of poor-quality buildings so preparedness measures are essential.”

Ms. Wahlström also commended the Turkish Government’s quick response to yesterday’s quake, saying it has been “fast and efficient with the dispatch of over 1,500 search, rescue and health personnel to the affected areas with impressive logistical support.”

At least 70 people reportedly died when athe7.2-magnitude quake shattered more than 1,000 buildings near the city of Van, while an unknown number remain trapped under rubble.

The President of the General Assembly, Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, expressed his sadness and sent his deep sympathies to the Government and people of Turkey for their loss. He commended the country’s authorities and the various rescue groups for their rapid response and diligent assistance.

He also stressed the need for all Member States to do more to improving disaster preparedness and response, saying the issue that is one of the key focus areas for the current 66th session of the Assembly.

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Turkish earthquake puts building practices in the spotlight says UNISDR

GENEVA, 24 October 2011

The tragic loss of life in yesterday’s earthquake in the Ercis region of Turkey and the reported collapse of almost 1,000 buildings underlines the importance of providing the right incentives and information to builders and owners in the world’s most dangerous earthquake zones, says UNISDR, the UN office for disaster reduction.

UNISDR CHIEF, Margareta Wahlström, said today: “Turkey’s seismic code provides the basis for safer structures and better urban planning. The country has made progress in Istanbul and elsewhere in retrofitting and rebuilding public buildings, schools and hospitals to the required standard. There has been vigorous prosecution of corrupt municipal officials for allowing unlicensed construction.

“However, recent studies show that much needs to be done not just to enforce building codes but to ensure that owners have both the incentives and information to build well. Building well is not always more expensive but it is important to ensure the quality of the building materials.

“Despite any rebuilding or retrofitting and enforcement of standards for new construction, it is clear that in most earthquake zones there are large existing stocks of poor quality buildings so preparedness measures are essential. The Turkish government response has been fast and efficient with the dispatch of over 1,500 search, rescue and health personnel to the affected areas with impressive logistical support.”

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> United Nations (UN).

The United Nations was established on 24 October 1945 by 51 countries committed to preserving peace through international cooperation and collective security. Today, nearly every nation in the world belongs to the UN: membership totals 192 countries.

When States become Members of the United Nations, they agree to accept the obligations of the UN Charter, an international treaty that sets out basic principles of international relations. According to the Charter, the UN has four purposes:

• to maintain international peace and security;
• to develop friendly relations among nations;
• to cooperate in solving international problems and in promoting respect for human rights;
• and to be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.

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* The above story is adapted from materials provided by United Nations (UN)
** More information at United Nations (UN)