Parliamentary question from NEW Party Deputy Sibel Suiçmez about the Adana and Osmaniye earthquakes

NEW Party Trabzon Deputy Sibel Suiçmez submitted separate questions to the Minister of Internal Affairs Mustafa Çiftçi and the Minister of Environment and Urbanization Murat Kurum regarding the three consecutive earthquakes that occurred in Adana and Osmaniye yesterday.

Suiçmez, who requested the results of the field surveys carried out by AFAD and relevant institutions after the earthquakes to be announced, said, "Based on what concrete data and measurable preparedness indicators are it evaluated that the response delays and grievances experienced on February 6, 2023 will not be repeated in the event of a possible severe earthquake in the region?" he asked.

Drawing attention to the earthquake risk in the region, Suiçmez requested information on communications, logistics and shelter areas, as well as electricity, road and bridge alternatives, and also asked for an explanation of the status of preparations regarding natural gas, water and other disaster stocks.

"HOW MANY REPORTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED SO FAR, HOW MANY BUILDINGS HAVE BEEN INCREASED?"

The questions in the written parliamentary question submitted by NEW Party member Suiçmez to the Minister of Internal Affairs Mustafa Çiftçi and the Minister of Environment and Urbanization Murat Kurum, with the request that they be answered separately, are as follows:

"What are the results of the field surveys carried out by AFAD and relevant institutions following the Adana Saimbeyli and Osmaniye Sumbas district earthquakes on October 4, 2026? How many reports have been received to date, how many structures have been examined, how many structures have been damaged? What is the current district-based information on whether there is loss of life and injury, and the damage status?

What is the official, scientific assessment of AFAD and your Ministry regarding the tension accumulation in the Eastern Anatolian Fault Zone segments where earthquakes occur and the possibility of a larger earthquake? On which scientific committee or institution is this evaluation based? What is the number and density of seismic, geodetic (GNSS) and geophysical observation stations for monitoring the tension accumulation on fault lines around Adana and Osmaniye? "Is there a planned investment and schedule for strengthening the monitoring network?"

"WILL THE REPORT BE SHARED WITH THE PUBLIC?"

"When were the Adana and Osmaniye Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Plans and Provincial Disaster Response Plans last updated? Have these plans been revised after the February 6, 2023 earthquakes? Is there an updated disaster response plan prepared at the district level, including Saimbeyli and Sumbas?

Is there an evaluation report prepared by your Ministry regarding the deficiencies identified in the fields of search and rescue, shelter, communication and logistics following the February 6, 2023 Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes? By what criteria are it monitored whether these deficiencies have been eliminated in Adana and Osmaniye? Will the report in question be shared with the public?

How many disaster drills were held in Adana and Osmaniye between 2023-2026? What are the scenario of the exercises, the participating institutions and the deficiencies identified? Has a real-time, inter-agency drill been conducted for a large-scale earthquake? "What is the number and capacity of emergency assembly areas and temporary shelter areas on a district basis in Adana and Osmaniye?"

"HAS A REGION-SPECIFIC CONTINUITY PLAN PREPARED?"

"Is the ratio of these areas to the total population sufficient? How many of these areas are actually suitable for use, how many of them are developed, subject to construction or used for other purposes? What is the current amount of tents, containers, beds, blankets, food, water and other disaster logistics stocks in AFAD's warehouses in Adana and Osmaniye? How many people and for how many days will these stocks last? How long is the shipping time from other provinces if the stocks are not directly available in the region?

What is the number of AFAD personnel, search and rescue teams, work machines and heavy rescue equipment working in Adana and Osmaniye? How is the additional search and rescue capacity that can reach the region in the first 24 hours of a severe earthquake planned and the time it takes to mobilize this capacity? "Has a region-specific continuity plan been prepared to ensure the uninterrupted operation of critical infrastructures such as communications, electricity, natural gas, drinking water, roads, bridges, airports and ports in the event of a severe earthquake?"

"WHAT STAGE IS THE RISKY BUILDING DETECTION AND URBAN TRANSFORMATION?"

What is the scope of joint work with communication operators and infrastructure organizations? Is there an earthquake early warning system in the region? Is a system actively used to send warning and guidance messages to citizens via mobile phones immediately after the earthquake? To what extent are information and training activities carried out regarding how the public will behave before, during and after the earthquake? At what stage are risky building detection and urban transformation in Adana and Osmaniye within the scope of joint studies carried out with the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change?

"IS THERE A CONTROL MECHANISM?"

How many public buildings, schools and hospitals are determined to be earthquake-proof in the region? Is there a scheduled reinforcement or renewal program for these? What is the number of staff appointed according to the standard staff and the number of vacant positions in the disaster units of Adana and Osmaniye AFAD provincial directorates and the relevant municipalities? What is the number of trained AFAD volunteers and neighborhood disaster volunteers in the region? Is there a mechanism for the inspection of municipalities' disaster response plans by your Ministry?

Based on what concrete data and measurable preparedness indicators does your Ministry evaluate that the intervention delays and grievances experienced on February 6, 2023 will not be repeated in the event of a possible severe earthquake in the region? Has there been an independent audit or assessment of the region's disaster preparedness level? If it has not been done, is it planned to be done?