TeaA sixth “Operation Dost” flight landed in Turkey carrying emergency supplies, rescue personnel, sniffer dog squads, medicine and medical equipment, and other relief supplies. The devastating earthquake that has caused huge loss of life and property has thrown normal life out of gear in both Turkey and Syria. Within hours, India responded with disaster relief material which Turkey accepted Saying, “India was one of the first countries to respond when we asked for medical assistance”. Many other countries and international institutions have yet to respond to the disaster.
Meanwhile, all flags at NATO headquarters flew at half-mast on Tuesday in a show of solidarity with Turkey. Ironically, the tweet refers to Turkey as an ‘ally’ and not a member. Turkey became a member of NATO in 1952 at the height of the Cold War, choosing to take the side of its friends in the West rather than the then Soviet Union. Humanitarian aid from NATO has not yet reached Turkey and probably will not reach Syria.
India has sent emergency relief Remittance Emergency medicines and equipment, including portable ECG machines, patient monitors and other essential medical items, to Syria through the Deputy Minister of Local Administration and Environment. Ongoing conflict and geopolitical constraints make it difficult for relief supplies to reach those in need in Syria. It is even more important for New Delhi to establish links with Syrian and other international disaster relief agencies to help the needy even in remote areas.
India’s assistance to Turkey and Syria in the face of a natural disaster of such magnitude is part of the country’s tradition of providing humanitarian assistance without expecting a return or following a reciprocity policy. India too announced The UNGA states that “nations can and indeed should cooperate to find collective and cooperative solutions to the challenges the disaster represents”.
The disaster for Turkey comes at a time when the country’s economy is facing headwinds. Subscribing to Islamic banking ideas of not charging interest (Erdogan sees himself as the ‘enemy’ of interest rates), the government reduced interest rates from 19 percent to 9 percent, which the resulting The country’s currency will crash in 2021 and then fall by 30 percent last year. Inflation is up to 85 percent and prices of fuel, food and other daily necessities have skyrocketed. Erdogan’s foreign policy, over and above economic problems Involved Syria is home to a failed attempt to topple Assad’s government and hosts nearly three and a half million Syrian refugees, adding to social unrest and pressure on dwindling resources.
Read also: Romeo, Rambo, Honey and Julie – These 4 rescue dogs are helping NDRF teams in earthquake-hit Turkey
Electoral politics continues
Even as inflation and economic crisis are troubling the population, the political class in Turkey was busy with electoral calculations, permutations and combinations. Presidential and parliamentary elections were to be held in Turkey in June this year. But President Tayyip Erdogan took a sudden and surprising step announced that the elections would be held in May, a month ahead of schedule. This took the opposition by surprise, who were said to be building a massive alliance to reach out to the first-time voters, the biggest section of the electorate. The opposition appears to be having a hard time fortifying itself against a strongman leader who has been in power for the last two decades and whose Justice and Development Party (AK Party) is known for a strong leaning towards radical Islamist views. Allegedly moving away. The secular ethos of Kemal Ataturk.
While natural calamities are unpredictable and greatly affect the economic and social life of the country, the political dispensation has a great responsibility to show immediate response and handle the situation to the satisfaction of maximum people. If the political establishment fails or allows the perception of their failure, their political future is in jeopardy.
The massive earthquake that hit Nepal in 2015 killed over 8,000 people and destroyed over six lakh houses. Although humanitarian aid arrived almost immediately, the worst-hit people in rural areas were left without relief. Large earthquakes are usually followed by a series of aftershocks, forcing people to evacuate. These factors led to heavy criticism of the government’s handling of the disaster. In subsequent elections, the Communist Party of Nepal (UML) won Presidential and Vice Presidential elections.
Political shadow boxing completely eclipsed the plight of those affected by the disaster. There are many reports on social, political and economic aftershocks From the 2010 Chile earthquake.
Erdogan has managed to establish tight control over a large part of the media and has also bought some others through his “wealthy business friends”. He will enter the fray as President and this will again give him an edge over his opponents, who may face a huge financial crisis. He also has a strong party cadre to support his election programs while his opponents is yet to come With a common candidate and common economic program.
Whatever the election outcome, if and when elections are held, New Delhi will have to reach out to the vast Turkish population on its own and establish a vibrant and healthy people-to-people contact. Soft power approach is the ability to reach people and countries abroad without using coercion. Humanitarian aid is yet another tool of soft power.
Seshadri Chari is the former editor of ‘Organiser’. He tweeted @sesadrichari. Thoughts are personal.
(Edited by Prashant)