Turkish ministers enter earthquake simulation during meeting

ANKARA  

A number of cabinet ministers took part in an earthquake simulation program during a meeting hosted by Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) on Jan. 11.

Deputy Prime Ministers Recep Akdağ and Hakan Çavuşoğlu were among participants who attended the meeting. AFAD briefed the ministers and journalists about the measures that should be taken in the event of such natural disasters.

The ministers and diplomats sheltered near coffee tables and sofas on a stage that had been built for the earthquake simulation program. The participants received training by AFAD President Mehmet Güllüoğlu and by the personnel of the agency before the 7.5-magnitude quake shook their meeting.

Asked if Turkey’s institutions are properly prepared for major disasters such as earthquakes, Deputy Prime Minister Akdağ said the current situation is much better compared to the past.

Deputy Prime Minister Çavuşoğlu underlined that Turkey had been better prepared for the earthquake in the eastern province of Van thanks to better coordination among institutions, human resources and technology capacities.

Search and rescue work was launched in half an hour’s time after the 2011 earthquake in Van and there were no problems with infrastructure, he added.