KARACHI:
During the last few weeks, devastating news of wild fires ravaging major parts of Turkey have made global headlines. A series of apocalyptic videos and pictures of blazing fires and turmoil have gone viral as the entire nation remains in despair. Bright red flashes illuminate parts of the blazing land accompanied by darkness which looms above due to the thick smog. What is left are charred remains — ashes, lifeless flora and fauna, and dead animals.
One photograph in particular that evoked many sentiments on social media was that of a little boy eagerly watching as fighter planes whizzed past the orange horizon to battle the ferocious flames over the Mediterranean coast. Ill-armed firefighters, volunteers and Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) are putting their lives at stake by utilising buckets of water to extinguish the blaze. Meanwhile, citizens evacuate their residences, tourists vacate the hotels, and wildlife runs for shelter. The prevailing situation has further been compounded due to the government’s inability to manage it. The Justice and Development Party of Erdogan has come under fire due to their alleged sluggish and apathetic response. Meanwhile, there a blame game has ensued among opposition parties. In the midst of it all, citizens are blaming the authorities for providing inadequate help and reinforcements which was compromised even further after the government refused to accept help from Greece and Israel. The ruling party even censured social movements and media campaigns that asked the international community for help.
In such a situation, it is incumbent upon all countries to draw lessons from the shortcomings exhibited by the Turkish administration and take precautionary measures to prevent such a mishap in their own backyard. All states must remain vigilant to any warning signs and be prepared in advance to fight any calamity head-on. For this purpose, stakeholders must ensure that they are well-equipped with enough resources such as upgraded telemetry and early warning systems, air and land conveyances, trained rescue-and-relief workers, and adequate medical supplies. Disaster management committees comprising of professionals must be set up to forge an efficient strategy and policy.
Soha Nisar
Islamabad
Published in The Express Tribune, August 11th, 2021.
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