Let the
Türkiye government work on developing strategies and policies for a wide aspect
of recovery not only housing and infrastructures. Hopefully, it will not stop
only detaining building contractors for their alleged responsibility in the
construction of buildings that failed to withstand the earthquakes. The problem
has gone more than two decades. During the construction boom, the government
failed to enforce the building code.[ii]
It was a serious violation of the building’s safety. For instance, up to 75,000
buildings across the affected earthquake zone in southern Turkey have been
given construction amnesties.[iii]
The amnesty suspectedly was not based on engineering calculation and the
practice was vulnerable to corruption. Hence, the government should reform the
practice of construction work to ensure all regulations and building code are
enforced. Then people might expect the regulations will apply to anyone no
matter their socioeconomic status.
Then what
will be the contribution of aid organizations and social societies to the
rebuilding initiatives? Actually, there
is various assistance that can be contributed, but at least there are two that
can be offered to fill the gap. The gap is between the capacity of poor people
to self-recover and the ability of the government to provide assistance.
First, support
to balance supply and demand. At the peak of massive reconstruction, there will
be a huge demand for construction materials, skilled builders, engineers, and various
service providers. Inflation is inevitable, then at some point, only wealthy people
can continue to rebuild. This should be anticipated as earliest as possible. Technical
experts from aid organizations can suggest new approaches to construction from
seismic retrofitting to new construction with various building materials.
Depending on only a few methods and particular construction materials will create
inflation. Construction training for homeowners, and local builders and developing
the capacity of engineers are essential. Everyone related to rebuilding
including the homeowner needs to be aware of building code and construction
norms. Everyone must respect the law of how nature works.
Earthquakes can still be a hazard and not turn into disasters if the infrastructure
can absorb its forces.
Lastly, the
provision of top-up assistance to the most vulnerable. The government might
provide support to earthquake-affected people. But due to their socioeconomic condition, the poor and vulnerable people might find assistance does not be sufficient. Hence,
identifying those who are vulnerable should be carried out very soon. These
people should be prepared when the nationwide rebuilding starts. This specific
additional support should also be agreed upon and supported by their neighbors
and community leaders to reduce jealousy. The support might be the provision of
additional funding, provision of construction materials, and builders, and
oversight on the construction process.
These
initiatives basically are to bring the poor and the vulnerable people to the
same level as their neighbors. If the government enforces the code that must
everyone follow, then we can expect everyone to have sufficient capacity to
abide by the law. Then the build back safer can be achieved.
Arwin
Soelaksono
Photo: The
Journal[iv]
