Minister Kurum visits earthquake victim Yusuf and his grandfather at their home in Adıyaman

Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum continues to stand in solidarity with the victims following the devastating earthquakes, with the epicenter in Kahramanmaraş, that occurred on 6 February. In this context, Minister Kurum visited Adıyaman and was a guest at an important home to observe on-site the difficulties faced by families who suffered heavy losses and whose lives were turned upside down by the earthquake disaster. The focus of the visit was to see the condition of citizens who lost their relatives in the earthquake and experienced great psychological devastation, and to make them feel that the state was by their side.

The owner of the visited house was 65-year-old Abdullah Çelik, who was trying to hold on to life after the chaotic and painful days of Adıyaman. Abdullah Çelik faced a shattering loss in the 6 February earthquakes, losing nine close relatives in the disaster and thus losing a large part of his family. However, the most important ray of hope that enabled the Çelik family to hold on to life despite this great pain was his 40-day-old grandson Yusuf Berk, whom he was trying to raise in his arms. Abdullah Çelik is doing his best to raise the baby, who is the legacy of his lost relatives, alone, clinging tightly to the life remaining from the rubble.

Minister Murat Kurum showed close interest in Abdullah Çelik, whom he hosted at his home during this crowded and devastating period in Adıyaman. During the visit, Minister Kurum received detailed information about the condition of the grandfather and the baby, not only as a state official but also as a father and a human being. Kurum listened to the elderly grandfather's hardships while caring for the baby and their concerns for the future, holding consultations with Çelik regarding the adequacy of social aid provided by the state and any additional support needed.

This visit served as a concrete indicator of the ongoing humanitarian drama in the earthquake zones, beyond a simple routine inspection. Abdullah Çelik's attempt to raise a 40-day-old baby in conditions as difficult as the life remaining from the rubble revealed the long-term effects of the earthquake across the country. Minister Kurum's visit was considered a valuable step to hear the voices of those striving to return life to normal in the region and those feeling lonely during this process, despite the time passed since the earthquake.

This meeting was of great importance as it brought to the agenda not only financial aid packages but also the spiritual well-being and psychological conditions of the victims. Minister Kurum promised that whatever is necessary would be done to support grandfather Abdullah Çelik and his grandson Yusuf Berk, once again recalling the state's mission to embrace its citizens. Such visits aim to refresh earthquake victims' trust in state institutions and contribute to the healing of wounds, even if slightly.