Target: Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of Turkey
Goal: Support proper cleanup and recovery following earthquakes and other natural disasters.
When Turkey experienced a massive earthquake, this disaster only signaled the beginning of the area’s problems. The over 200 million tons of rubble generated from the quake are causing longstanding environmental and health concerns. Alleged mismanagement of this dangerous debris could be making the road to recovery infinitely worse.
Many of the destroyed buildings were made with asbestos and other carcinogenic substances, so cleaning up the rubble had to be handled in a very deliberate and careful manner. Yet proper precautions were apparently not taken. Worse yet, this unhealthy rubble has been piled up by crews in areas close to struggling communities. Some of the rubble even rests near a beach that is an integral breeding area for sea turtles as well as a bird migration site. And if the debris seeps into the sea, it could have even worse consequences.
Government leaders have seemingly abandoned this area. Sign the petition below to demand more responsibility for a growing ecological and public health crisis.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear President Erdoğan,
The earthquake that struck the Hatay province left massive devastation in its wake. Struggling communities need to feel support from their leaders, but instead they feel abandonment and betrayal. The cleanup efforts following this disaster were allegedly brimming with mismanagement. Dangerous debris still lingers, endangering both human lives and wildlife.
Please make the necessary investments in better emergency intervention and waste management protocols. Ensure the people of Hatay and the people of Turkey as a whole have the backing they desperately need to recover from catastrophic traumas.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Mahmut Bozarslan
222 Signatures