Exploring the Link between Broken Political Systems in Syria and Varied Earthquake Response: Lessons from Turkey’s Response to Strained Situations

The most recent earthquake that hit both Syria and Turkey in 2023, highlighted the marked difference between the two countries’ emergency and humanitarian response. In the aftermath of the earthquake, Turkey’s response was quick, organized, and able to save many lives. On the other hand, Syria’s response was slow, disorganized, and unable to respond effectively to the needs of its people. The key reason for the slow response is due to a broken political system that has failed to provide basic services to its citizens and hindered any effective emergency response.

Turkey’s response to the earthquake was quick and efficient. Within hours of the earthquake striking, emergency services were deployed to affected areas. The government of Turkey mobilized the Turkish Red Crescent, the country’s primary humanitarian organization, to provide immediate aid and support to the affected communities. The Red Crescent was able to quickly set up mobile hospitals and shelters across the affected areas to aid victims.

Conversely, Syria’s response to the earthquake was slow and disorganized. The Syrian government lacks the resources to provide adequate emergency services to its citizens. Due to years of war and economic sanctions, the government is unable to provide basic services such as electricity, sanitation, and clean drinking water, which would have helped in mitigating the impact of the earthquake. Furthermore, the government’s failure to invest in its infrastructure has limited its ability to respond effectively to emergencies such as earthquakes.

The broken political system in Syria is the primary reason for the government’s inability to save the lives of its citizens. The government has systematically diverted resources away from public services for its own benefit and has failed to invest in critical infrastructure that could have enabled a more effective emergency response. Additionally, the ongoing conflict has made the situation worse by disrupting the delivery of aid and hindering coordination between different emergency agencies.

The consequences of the broken political system in Syria are profound. The lack of investment in infrastructure and the diversion of resources have resulted in the inability of the government to provide basic services, including emergency aid when natural disasters strike. This has resulted in the loss of lives and displacement of communities, worsening the humanitarian crisis in the country. Moreover, the conflict has created further instability and has made the delivery of aid difficult, effectively trapping communities in a cycle of poverty and suffering.

The difference in emergency and humanitarian response between Turkey and Syria to the earthquake is stark. The response of Turkey highlights the benefits of a functioning government and adequate funding for emergency services, as well as a focus on infrastructure development to mitigate the impact of natural disasters. The broken political system in Syria has led to a failure in providing basic public services, including emergency relief, resulting in dire consequences for its citizens. It is high time for the leaders in Syria to invest in its infrastructure, prioritize the welfare of its citizens, and work towards a functional government that can protect its people during such emergencies.

312 thoughts on “Exploring the Link between Broken Political Systems in Syria and Varied Earthquake Response: Lessons from Turkey’s Response to Strained Situations”

  1. I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article.

  2. Hi there! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!

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