Prime Minister Ünal Üstel said that it was necessary to prepare the country for unexpected natural disasters.

He added that the public’s support, input and contributions were extremely important.

Üstel was speaking at a ceremony where certificates of appreciation were presented to personnel who took part in rescue, recovery and relief efforts in Türkiye’s earthquake stricken areas.

Thank you certificates were presented on Tuesday to staff from the health, education and agriculture ministries who took part in rescue, recovery and relief efforts in Türkiye’s earthquake stricken areas.

Prime Minister Ünal Üstel who spoke at the ceremony drew attention to the difficult period Türkiye was going through.

He said that the Turkish Cypriot people will never forget the tragedy in Türkiye and the Gazimağusa Türk Maarif College’s volleyball team which perished in the earthquake.

Üstel touched upon the relief efforts being provided by the TRNC to earthquake survivors who were left homeless after the devastating quakes.

A total of 156 search and rescue personnel, 61 health personnel, 142 vehicles and machinery and 124 heavy machinery operators were sent to Adıyaman and surrounding areas.

The prime minister said that the earthquake disaster once again demonstrated the importance of search and rescue efforts.

“We need to be prepared for possible disasters,” he said.

Üstel pointed out that the overall standard and quality of the buildings in the TRNC was strong enough to withstand a major earthquake but that there were older buildings which needed to be reinforced or rebuilt.

The prime minister said that an assessment of public buildings such as schools which were deemed risky had begun on Sunday.

“There is no need to panic but we need to act swiftly. This is where the public’s support comes in. The public’s support, input and contributions are important in preparing for a possible earthquake,” he said.

Üstel also said that the TRNC ranked number one in country’s assisting Türkiye according to its population ratio.

“We shall continue to prepare for natural disasters and the TRNC will continue to be a safe country for its citizens, for students who come to study here and for tourists.