Delivering remarks after inspecting the search and rescue efforts, President Erdoğan noted that the earthquakes measuring 7.7 and 7.6 on the Richter scale that occurred last Monday have caused fatal destruction and casualties in 10 provinces. Erdoğan reported that according to the latest data 21,848 citizens have lost their lives and 80,104 injured citizens have been rescued.

 Wishing God's mercy upon those who lost their lives, Erdoğan sent his condolences to their relatives, and wished a speedy recovery to the injured citizens.

 The president pointed out that the earthquake which was described as the disaster of the century, affected are area of 500 kilometers where a total of 13.5 million people live. Stating that the effect of devastation is so much greater than the 1939 Erzincan and 1999 Marmara earthquakes Erdoğan stressed that they have mobilized the state with all its institutions, personnel and equipment starting from the moment of the earthquake.

 Expressing that they have deployed all the units of the ministries and security forces, including the police, military and gendarmerie, as well as institutions in charge of dealing with disasters, Erdoğan stated that the ministers, governors, mayors, public institutions and nongovernmental organizations have been working selflessly since the very first day of the earthquake. Saying that they have been faced with many problems caused by the magnitude of the disaster and the severe winter conditions Erdoğan stressed that all these difficulties they have not allowed any setbacks to prevent them from rushing aid to the citizens.

 President stressed that as 85 million they will join forces and hopefully overcome these trying days. He went on to say: “With Allah’s permission, we will come through any crisis as long as we cast no shadow over our unity and solidarity”.

 Noting that they have completed the search and rescue efforts in Şanlıurfa as of Thursday, Erdoğan stated that they will start the reconstruction and improvement works after the debris removal and damage assessment is done.

 Stating that the wounds of Şanlıurfa and 9 other provinces will be healed in a short time, President noted that they have allocated places in hotels, dormitories, and public guesthouses all over the country to meet the shelter needs of citizens either in their own cities or in other provinces. Erdoğan reported that 460 thousand citizens stay in schools, dormitories, practice hotels and teacher's guest houses affiliated to the Ministry of National Education whereas 1 million 100 thousand people stay in temporary accommodation centers. Erdoğan noted that they have created a rent support program ranging from 2 thousand to 5 thousand for homeowners and renters.

 Erdoğan said that they will pay 15,000 Turkish Liras per household in relocation aid to citizens whose homes have collapsed or moderately or severely damaged to help the earthquake victims quickly solve their housing problems. Underlying that they are doing and will do whatever is necessary in order not to leave citizens hungry, exposed, helpless and unattended in their most difficult days. The President noted that they will rebuild some of the cities and try to change their locations.

 “We Have Formed the Mechanisms That Will Meet Our Citizens’ Needs”

 Further stressing that the construction of new buildings in the quake-hit areas would be completed within one year, President Erdoğan continued as follows: “We will achieve this by acting in unity and solidarity once again, as has been the case during every period of our history. By declaring a state of emergency, areas of disaster and by implementing force majeure, we have formed the mechanisms that will meet all the needs of our citizens and the region. Within this framework, we have extended the suspension of education at all the schools affiliated to the Ministry of National Education until February 20.”

 Reminding that students in all classes and levels of schools in 10 provinces affected by the earthquake will not be required to attend the second semester, Erdoğan said that all kinds of facilities will be provided to families who want to transfer their children to schools in other provinces.

 Noting that they will implement similar measures for every segment from employees to tradesmen, Erdoğan also stated that they are sensitively carrying out the treatment and protection of rescued children who lost their families.

 Stating that the injured earthquake victims have been transported to hospitals in cities outside the earthquake zone Erdoğan underlined that they have instructed security forces to prevent looters to haunt homes and workplaces, and the Ministry of Commerce to prevent opportunists who increase prices of basic goods. Erdoğan stressed that they will not tolerate traders provoking the nation by spreading false allegations especially on social media. He concluded his speech by saying they will get through these difficult days as a nation.