The Great Gediz Earthquake in Technical Reports, Press and Parliamentary Sessions

The geography where Turkey is located has been the scene of earthquakes throughout history. It will be in the future. One of the biggest and most painful earthquakes experienced after the establishment of the Turkish Republic is the Gediz Earthquake that took place on March 28, 1970. The financial and moral losses caused by the earthquake, which hit most people while they were asleep, were very high. The earthquake, in which the Gediz district of Kutahya was the center, affected a very large area, almost all of Western Anatolia. The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) immediately intervened in the region. Rescue efforts have started but progressed very difficult due to cold, rain and closed roads. Red Crescent tents were delivered to the region as soon as possible, and Turkey started to receive news from the region, especially with the news of the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT). The Prime Minister and the relevant ministers went to the district and gave moral support to the disaster victims and started the work on the organization of the institutions. At the National Assembly meeting held three days after the earthquake, first of all, the regional deputies gave information and conveyed the deficiencies and expectations. The issue was also brought to the agenda at the meeting of the Senate of the Republic, which was held later. In our study, the results and effects of the Gediz Earthquake were examined from a technical and social point of view. The process of the earthquake, the losses, the difficulties encountered in the relief efforts, the deficiencies in the implementation and the situation of the disaster victims were examined in the axis of the National Assembly-Republican Senate meetings. Thus, the political field was added to the study. The promises of the government and the criticisms of the representatives of the political parties were included, and their reflections in the national press and international public opinion were also conveyed. The government has given priority to resolving the issue of temporary resettlement. Then, an area that is more resistant to earthquakes and suitable for expansion was selected for permanent settlement. The government aimed to finish the construction work, which was followed by the national and international press, as soon as possible. Opposition parties, on the other hand, did not consider the delivery of the houses sufficient. The representatives explained the social and economic needs and demanded that they be active on these issues as well. However, no effective activity has been carried out by the government on these issues.