Geology Engineers Chamber calls for scientific disaster planning in Turkey

On International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, representatives from the TMMOB Chamber of Geological Engineers issued warnings regarding disaster preparedness and the necessity of scientific planning in Turkey.

Coşkun Çatalkaya, the Muğla provincial representative, and Dr. Mehmet Tatar, the Adana branch president, emphasized that natural events such as earthquakes, floods, and landslides only become disasters due to improper site selection, unregulated construction, and planning decisions that ignore scientific data. They argued that the right to safe living is a public responsibility rather than an unavoidable fate.

In alignment with the 2026 theme, “Resilience Starts at Home,” officials stressed that disaster preparedness must begin with secure housing. They called on local municipalities, government institutions, and civil society to implement permanent policies focused on risk reduction rather than just post-disaster response. Specific calls were made for the implementation of a Disaster Risk Reduction Law, a Fault Law, and the establishment of a dedicated Ministry of Disaster Management.