Earthquakes, as devastating natural disasters, threaten our lives and living spaces, causing material and moral losses. The state has important responsibilities to minimize these losses and protect citizens affected by the earthquake. In this blog post, we will examine in detail the state responsibility arising from damages caused by earthquakes, the scope of this responsibility and the legal rights offered to earthquake victims.
Preventive Responsibility of the State:
The primary responsibility of the state is to take preventive measures to minimize the destructive effects of earthquakes. These measures include:
Urban transformation: Demolishing buildings at risk of earthquake and building strong and safe buildings instead,
Emergency planning: Preparing comprehensive plans for post-earthquake search and rescue, evacuation and aid distribution, and conducting regular drills,
Strengthening public buildings: Making vital structures such as hospitals, schools and public security buildings earthquake resistant,
Disaster awareness training: Organizing training programs to raise public awareness about earthquake risk and emergency procedures,
Earthquake research and monitoring: Supporting research and monitoring activities to contribute to the development of earthquake science and better understand earthquakes.
Responsibility of State Intervention:
When an earthquake occurs, the state must mobilize emergency response teams and work quickly and effectively on issues such as search and rescue, treatment of the injured, meeting basic needs and repairing the infrastructure. In this context:
Search and rescue efforts: Search and rescue teams should be mobilized to rescue citizens trapped under the rubble in the earthquake as quickly and safely as possible.
Emergency health services: Necessary medical intervention and emergency health services should be provided to citizens injured by the earthquake.
Meeting basic needs: Necessary steps should be taken to urgently meet the basic needs of earthquake victims such as shelter, food, water and hygiene.
Repair of infrastructure: Efforts should be made to repair and reactivate infrastructure elements such as electricity, water, telecommunication and transportation affected by the earthquake as soon as possible.
