President Tekin: “We will work together for a resilient Seyhan against disasters”

Seyhan Mayor Oya Tekin emphasized the importance of acting together in the fight against disasters during the Seyhan Municipality 2025-2029 Strategic Plan and Disaster Management Workshop, stating, “We will work together to create a resilient Seyhan against disasters. We will prioritize risk management, not crisis management, together.”

In Adana, one of the cities deeply affected by the earthquakes on February 6, Seyhan Municipality’s disaster response efforts are ongoing. In this context, the “Seyhan Municipality 2025-2029 Strategic Plan and Disaster Management Workshop” was held. In the workshop attended by the presidents and representatives of several non-governmental organizations and chambers affiliated with TMMOB, Mayor Tekin, in her opening speech, emphasized that disasters are a reality of social life but that minimizing their impact on human life and creating a safe living environment depends on working together.

Our priority is ‘risk management’

Mayor Tekin explained that the efforts to be made before a disaster would prevent the pain experienced after a disaster, saying, “We will work together to create a resilient Seyhan against disasters. We will prioritize risk management, not crisis management. We must continue the fight against careless and ruthless approaches that disrupt the balance of nature and put human life at risk and take the necessary precautions. The important thing is to prioritize the topic of ‘Risk Management’. Because when we do this, we can minimize damage and losses.”

A holistic approach to disaster is important

Pointing out that there are many laws and plans in Turkey regarding disaster response, Tekin stated, “There are various regulations such as the Turkey Disaster Management Strategy Document and Action Plan, Turkey Disaster Risk Reduction Plan, post-disaster recovery plans, zoning law numbered 3194, building inspection law numbered 4708, transformation of disaster-risk areas law numbered 6306, and the municipal law numbered 5393. We believe that all of these should be addressed with a holistic approach for risk reduction and prevention. Being able to achieve this strengthens us against disasters. It should not be forgotten that disaster management is the responsibility of not just one institution, but of the entire society. As Seyhan Municipality, we see taking all necessary precautions for the safety of our people, reducing risks, and being prepared for disasters as a priority.”

Call for social cooperation and solidarity

Emphasizing that the workshop was particularly a call for unity and solidarity, Mayor Tekin said, “I believe that the roadmap we will create together will secure not only today but also the future. If we act together, we can build a stronger Seyhan against disasters. In this process, we know how important it is to reach out to the public and inform them. Therefore, we will visit neighborhoods and meet with our citizens one-on-one to inform them about disasters. Creating disaster awareness is a shared responsibility for all of us, not just our municipality. Success in disaster management is possible not only through technical solutions but also through social cooperation and solidarity.”