UNESCO recognizes Büyükçekmece as first “Tsunami Ready” community of Türkiye

This milestone reflects a collaborative endeavor under the CoastWAVE Project, funded by The Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO), which brought together partners including the Boğaziçi University Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute (KOERI), Middle East Technical University, Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM), and Büyükçekmece Municipality. The Project supported the municipality in meeting twelve standard indicators identified by IOC/UNESCO as crucial for mitigating tsunami risks.

A notable milestone in Büyükçekmece's preparation was an inaugural tsunami evacuation drill on November 5, 2023, orchestrated by CoastWAVE Project partners. The exercise demonstrated the city's readiness and adherence to international standards.

At the award ceremony held on 15 March 2024 at City Hall, Büyükçekmece Mayor Dr. Hasan Akgün accepted the recognition certificate from Bernardo Aliaga Rossel, Head of the Tsunami Resilience Section at IOC/UNESCO. Mr Aliaga commended the dedication of all stakeholders and community leaders involved, emphasizing that "a perfect warning is perfectly useless to save their lives if people do not know what to do and when and where to evacuate."

Mayor Akgün underscored the significance of earthquake-resistant urban planning and the need for simultaneous measures to prepare the city against potential tsunamis. He stated, "In our earthquake-prone region, it’s imperative to not only focus on earthquake resilience but also to be prepared for associated risks like tsunamis. Büyükçekmece’s commitment to continuous improvement and collaboration with scientific experts has been pivotal in achieving this recognition." He also emphasized the ongoing efforts required for sustainability and additional enhancements in disaster preparedness.

Dr. Denis Chang Seng, IOC/UNESCO Programme Specialist and Responsible Project Officer of the CoastWAVE project, highlighted that despite the challenges posed by the 6 February 2023 earthquake, project partners were able to rebound forward to successfully implement Tsunami Ready, thanks to strong partnerships, commitment, and leadership. Collaborative efforts with scientific communities will continue to play a crucial role in Büyükçekmece’s journey towards resilient and safer urban environments.

The UNESCO/IOC recognition underscores Büyükçekmece’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its residents in the face of potential coastal disasters, under the motto that preparedness saves lives.