Cihan Koçer, the Chairman of Gaziantep Young Businessmen’s Association (GAGIAD), made a statement regarding the earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 centered in the Pazarcık district of Kahramanmaraş, which caused significant destruction and many casualties in 10 provinces, including Gaziantep. Chairman Koçer said, “We are deeply saddened and in indescribable pain due to the earthquake disasters that we have suffered and felt severely in Gaziantep and the region. Our feelings, our pain, and our losses are all the same. I extend my condolences and wishes for a speedy recovery to all of our citizens and our country, especially those living in our region and city.”

Since the first day of the disaster, we have opened our association center for our employees, their families, and our fellow citizens affected by the earthquake. We continue to provide support for shelter and all other needs to not only our city but also neighboring cities affected by the earthquake. In the upcoming period, as GAGIAD, we will continue our relief efforts with our long-term plans both in our city and in our region with a sense of responsibility. We will work in cooperation with relevant organizations to implement our projects in the coming days. I invite everyone who has the ability and power to support us in minimizing the effects of this great disaster. We believe that with our spirit of solidarity, we will heal our wounds together.

Koçer said, “Unfortunately, earthquakes are a reality of our country and we should start building all our structures in this way as soon as possible and begin the process of transforming risky buildings. Gaziantep is an industrial and economic city. Hopefully, our industry will recover soon and continue to support our country and regional economy. Due to the earthquake we experienced, all of Turkey is united. We can only reduce the pain of the disaster and stand up again through unity and togetherness.”

In this context, I hope that such a disaster will not happen again in our country, and I would like to declare that we will work together with all our strength, unity and common sense to heal the wounds of this disaster. Within this scope, I offer my condolences to all the citizens who lost their lives in the disaster, and wish patience and quick recovery to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives, as well as to those who were injured.