European Council's Event on the Catastrophe of the Century

PARLIAMENTARIANS VISIT EARTHQUAKE ZONE IN VIRTUAL REALITY AT THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL

At the European Council, an event titled "After the Catastrophe of the Century: Facts, Impacts, and the Role of Solidarity in Recovery" was held, focusing on the earthquake disaster in Turkey. The event, held in Strasbourg, France, addressed the earthquakes dubbed as the catastrophe of the century from all angles, providing international public opinion with insights into scientific facts, ongoing efforts, and the needs of the region. European parliamentarians experienced a virtual reality visit to the earthquake zone during the event, leaving some foreign parliamentarians deeply moved by the impactful experience.

DISCUSSION ON THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATION TOOLS IN NATURAL DISASTERS

At the event, emphasis was placed on the importance of technology and communication tools in preparedness for and response to natural disasters. Ayşenur Sarıer Bulut, the digital team leader at RealWorks Global, delivered a speech highlighting the ability of the internet, social media, and mobile technologies to disseminate information rapidly and efficiently, connecting individuals to the resources and services they need. However, Bulut also stressed the potential for misuse and exploitation of digital solutions, particularly following a disaster of such magnitude, emphasizing the need for appropriate digital communication to avoid misinformation.

CALL FROM A TECHNOLOGY COMPANY TO SOCIAL MEDIA GIANTS

Following the event, Emre Yücel, the Founder of RealWorks Global, called upon social media giants such as Meta and Twitter to implement a special algorithm on their platforms during emergencies. Yücel emphasized the critical importance of such measures and urged these companies to take action, as their initiatives could significantly impact the effectiveness of disaster response efforts and the prevention of misinformation.

EXPERTS EVALUATE THE EARTHQUAKE FROM A SCIENTIFIC PERSPECTIVE

The event featured a scientific evaluation of seismic activity in Turkey by Haluk Özener, the Director of the Kandilli Earthquake Research Institute. Additionally, Prof. Dr. Emine Nur Günay, a member of the European Council Parliamentary Assembly, provided insights into the efforts and current situation in Turkey since the onset of the disaster.

SHARING INSIGHTS FROM A FIELD VISIT BY THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL RAPPORTEUR

Simon Moutquin, the rapporteur of the European Council Parliamentary Assembly's report on "Policy Strategies for Preventing Natural Disasters, Preparedness, and Response," shared his impressions from a recent visit to the earthquake zone in Turkey. Moutquin engaged in discussions with officials and local residents during his visit and expressed his intention to return to Turkey in September for further engagement.