ELAZIG GUNISIGI NEWSPAPER - August 2010
IS 11 YEARS ENOUGH TO EASE THE PAIN?
The 1999 Gölcük Earthquake, also known as the Izmit or Marmara Earthquake, struck on August 17, 1999, at 03:02 local time with a magnitude of 7.5. This devastating earthquake caused massive loss of life and property. People lost their lives, loved ones, homes, futures, and hopes. The ones who passed would not return, and nothing would ever be the same again. Exactly 11 years have passed since then. Is 11 years enough for the pain to subside and the wounds to heal? We must ask ourselves this question. How will the pain be eased? The mothers, fathers, siblings, spouses, and children who were lost would never come back. The days that passed, the opportunities lost, the health deteriorated, and the many wounds – will they ever truly heal over the years?
To understand the magnitude of the consequences of the earthquake, it is important to examine the heavy toll it took. The State Planning Organization took a significant step by preparing a report on the economic and social impacts of the earthquake on September 7, 1999. This report reflects the real magnitude of the earthquake risk.
The Gölcük Earthquake affected the most economically and socially active region of Turkey. It impacted the provinces of Kocaeli, Sakarya, Yalova, Istanbul, Bolu, Bursa, and Eskişehir, with Kocaeli, Sakarya, and Yalova suffering the most extensive loss of life and property. The earthquake struck a region that houses 23% of the country’s population, while the area with the heaviest casualties represented around 6% of the national population.
According to official reports, 17,480 people lost their lives, 23,781 were injured, and 505 were left disabled. More than 130,000 buildings collapsed, and around 600,000 people were left homeless. Approximately 16 million people were affected by the earthquake to varying degrees. Unofficial reports suggest the number of deaths was closer to 50,000, with 100,000 injured, both severely and lightly.
The earthquake caused significant losses in residential, commercial, and industrial structures, as well as in roads, highways, bridges, and infrastructure. These losses led to major shortages in machinery, equipment, and raw materials, causing substantial reductions in national income.
After the earthquake, the Ministry of Public Works and Settlement determined an urgent need for 120,000 housing units, estimating a required amount of $2.5 billion for this. Additionally, around $1 billion was needed for the repair and reinforcement of moderately damaged buildings. For the construction of 35,000 prefabricated homes to meet the temporary housing needs of the citizens, the cost was estimated at around $120 million. The government had an unexpected expenditure of approximately $3.6 billion just for housing needs.
Approximately $1 billion was spent on restoring damage to roads, highways, railways, ports, sewage systems, drinking water, and electricity production and transmission. The economic and social problems stemming from relocating the population and industrial facilities to new settlements are impossible to quantify mathematically.
The temporary suspension of production, along with losses in capital stock and workforce, led to a decrease in the production capacity of the region, resulting in weakened added value.
Hundreds of schools were damaged, and dozens were destroyed. The cost of disrupted education cannot be measured in monetary terms. Many teachers and educational personnel lost their lives in the earthquake. Similarly, health facilities were damaged, and many of the healthcare workers who were supposed to work there perished. Numerous orphanages, nursing homes, and health centers were destroyed.
In the aftermath of the earthquake, people faced both physical and psychological challenges. It is a fact that August 17 marks a critical point in Turkey's history. The recovery of both the state and the people was not easy. There were significant losses in skilled labor. The economic toll of the earthquake has been calculated at approximately $20 billion (as far as it can be calculated).
The earthquake caused the loss of one or more family members for many families or, in some cases, entire families. The loss of lives, particularly children who lost their parents, disabled individuals, and the elderly, highlighted the need for care and protection. The number of orphaned children reached into the hundreds. Furthermore, due to the deaths, injuries, and disabilities caused by the earthquake, many families lost their income sources. The challenge of ensuring these families had access to shelter and means of livelihood remained a major issue.
The earthquake was not just an economic problem caused by the destruction of buildings. Its economic and social costs were also devastating. Turkey is at significant risk from earthquakes, and this risk has been repeatedly demonstrated in places such as Erzincan, Bingöl, Gölcük, and many others. On this anniversary of August 17, we once again raise awareness of this critical issue. It is essential to take necessary precautions, engage in joint efforts, and ensure that our country is better prepared for future earthquakes.