Disasters are caused by certain natural forces (earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons, rainfall, snowfall, strong winds, etc.), but only those that cause damage to human social life are disasters. Therefore, it will be evaluated by the event that occurred. Even if an earthquake occurs, if it does not affect human society, it is not called a disaster. The earthquakes in Syria and Turkey are very large disasters due to the scale and nature of the damage.
2 How can we help with these countries?
First, eliminate life-threatening situations for those affected. Provide adequate food, clothing, shelter and medical care.
Second, we will enable people to return to the state of social life before the disaster.
Finally, in the event of an earthquake of similar magnitude in the future, human life will not be lost.
Specifically, (1) improve the seismic strength of buildings such as residences. (2) Develop a notification system that notifies the occurrence of a large-scale earthquake at an early stage. These are the two points.
3 Conclusion
It is impossible to predict the time, place, and scale of disasters. It is of utmost importance that people can evacuate to a safe place before a disaster strikes. I think it is most necessary to provide science and technology for this purpose.
I agree that you point out the fragility of human society to disasters as a major cause of earthquake disasters.
Disasters occur when the balance between natural power and human society's fragility to disasters is disrupted. Regardless of the fragility of human society, there are no disasters caused solely by natural powers. Fragility to disasters cannot be eliminated because the scale of natural power that will occur in the future cannot be estimated. So, although it is possible to reduce the scale of disasters, it is not possible to completely prevent them.
Therefore, it is important to make the highest priority objective of eliminating the loss of life. For this purpose, it is important to evacuate to a safe area before a disaster occurs.
The reconstruction phase after an earthquake is a painful process, and also the baseline for future vulnerabilities… Urban planning will be dictate the future resilience of that society, starting with building codes, accused to be the culprit this time
Following the devastating earthquakes that struck Syria and Turkey, the scientific community can offer valuable support and assistance in various ways to aid in disaster response, recovery, and long-term resilience building. Here are some ways in which the scientific community can contribute:
Seismological Research and Monitoring:Collaborate with local seismologists and earthquake experts to study the earthquake's characteristics and aftershocks, which can help in assessing future seismic risks.
Early Warning Systems:Work on improving early warning systems to provide advance notice of impending earthquakes, allowing people to take protective measures.
Damage Assessment and Risk Mapping:Conduct post-disaster damage assessments using remote sensing, satellite imagery, and geographic information systems (GIS) to create detailed damage maps. These maps help prioritize response efforts.
Structural Engineering Expertise:Engage structural engineers to assess the safety of buildings and infrastructure, including retrofitting and strengthening recommendations.
Geological and Geophysical Surveys:Conduct geological and geophysical surveys to better understand the region's geology and identify fault lines, helping to assess seismic hazards.
Landslide and Ground Subsidence Studies:Evaluate the risk of landslides and ground subsidence in the affected areas, which can be exacerbated by seismic activity.
Disaster Risk Reduction Planning:Assist in developing and implementing disaster risk reduction (DRR) plans and strategies to mitigate the impact of future earthquakes.
Community Resilience Programs:Collaborate with local communities and authorities to design and implement resilience-building programs, including earthquake preparedness and response training.
Public Awareness Campaigns:Help develop and promote public awareness campaigns on earthquake preparedness, safety measures, and evacuation plans.
Psychological Support Services:Psychologists and mental health professionals can offer psychological support services to affected individuals and communities dealing with trauma and emotional distress.
Humanitarian Aid Coordination:Support coordination efforts among humanitarian organizations, government agencies, and local communities to ensure efficient and effective aid delivery.
Education and Training:Provide training and capacity-building programs for local researchers, emergency responders, and policymakers to enhance their disaster management capabilities.
Technology and Innovation:Explore innovative technologies and solutions for disaster response, including the use of drones for damage assessment and the development of earthquake-resistant building materials.
International Collaboration:Collaborate with international organizations, neighboring countries, and global research institutions to share knowledge, resources, and best practices in earthquake preparedness and response.
Long-Term Resilience Building:Work on long-term projects aimed at increasing resilience in earthquake-prone areas, such as infrastructure improvement, land-use planning, and community-based disaster risk reduction initiatives.
Collaboration between the scientific community, local authorities, and humanitarian organizations is crucial in addressing the immediate needs and ensuring the long-term resilience of affected regions. This multidisciplinary approach can significantly contribute to the recovery and reconstruction efforts in Syria and Turkey following earthquakes.