The Central Committee of the Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) undertook its first face-to-face meeting after the February 6th earthquakes.
Central Committee members, some of whom had been involved in search-rescue and solidarity efforts in the region from the first day of the earthquake, came together in Ankara after the event “We are standing up, not to suffocate under the rubble again” which took place on February 18th.
The growing need for solidarity in the western provinces due to the migration from the earthquake region towards these provinces was discussed in the meeting, along with the actual circumstances in the earthquake region and the continuing needs.
The establishment of living quarters for citizens who continue to live in the earthquake region, including fundamental services and social-cultural activities, was determined.
As a result of the preliminary studies on service and counseling areas which will be needed most by the citizens affected by the earthquake after the massive destruction, it was settled upon to establish the Earthquake Tracking Center. This center is beginning its wide range of activities on Monday, February 20th, extending from consultancy on and follow-up of legal actions initiated by earthquake survivors regarding damages, to post-traumatic psychological support, from the discovery of construction zones during the reconstruction of our wracked cities, to the revitalization of historical and cultural buildings and sites, from public health issues, to societal challenges caused by the cease of economic activity, from the gaps in access to education, to adaptation and support problems faced by citizens migrating towards the west.
In addition, during the meeting, different ways of communicating the petition started by TKP with the slogan “The Citizen Pledge” to a wider public audience were discussed. The steps that will be taken to strengthen our claim for an enlightened, independent and sovereign republic, which will be built upon the principles of equality, statism, and secularism, will be shared with the public in the coming days.
In such circumstances where the societal and political equilibrium has been shifted, along with the massive destruction brought on by the earthquake, as TKP calls for letting go of all petty grievances and coming together to found a new country, it was decided to enhance the channels for contribution of TKP’s friends in the coming period.