Dear ISOCARP community,
It is with heavy hearts that we reach out to express our solidarity with the Turkish and Syrian communities impacted by the devastating earthquake that struck the two countries on Monday, February 6, 2023.
The 7.8-magnitude earthquake has affected millions of families, causing the loss of tens of thousands of lives, with many more injured across both countries. Emergency services are working to assist those affected by the disaster, while the governments and local organizations are mobilizing resources to provide aid and support to those in need despite significant damage to homes, roads, and infrastructure.
Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost loved ones, and we stand with those working tirelessly to assist those in need. As a society committed to promoting sustainable and resilient urban development, we must extend our support to those affected by this tragedy. The aftermath of this disaster serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of better urban policies and strategic planning for disaster risk reduction. It is a call to action for all of us to work together to ensure that our cities and communities are prepared for future emergencies.
We are proud to have Turkish and Syrian members in our society, and we stand with them in their time of need. We hope our collective efforts can help alleviate some of the pain and suffering caused by this devastating event.
As we continue to monitor the situation, we encourage our members to support local organizations and charities assisting those affected by the earthquake. Together, we can make a difference and help rebuild the communities this tragedy has impacted.
Sincerely,
The Board of The International Society of City and Regional Planners – ISOCARP.