Struggle of Local Administrations with the Epidemic (3) The City That Acts With Common Sense: Gaziantep

We today address Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality in the file titled “The Struggle of Local Administrations with the Epidemic”. Unlike Istanbul and Izmir, the local administrator of the city is a woman and a former minister: Fatma Şahin. The most striking point in the practices carried out within the scope of combating coronavirus in Gaziantep locality is the establishment of a close cooperation mechanism between the local government and the governorship. This approach, described by Mayor Şahin as "Acting with Common Sense", ensures the governorship and metropolitan municipality to conduct coordinated donations as well as all other aid activities with the measures taken in the fight against the epidemic.

Speaking as the TBB President at the Experience Sharing Meeting on COVID-19 Applications (COVID-19 Uygulamaları Hakkında Deneyim Paylaşımı Toplantısı’nda) held between TBB and the United Cities and Local Governments Organization (UCLG) a few days ago, Fatma Şahin said that the biggest task in combating the coronavirus epidemic falls to the local administrations and that all municipalities in Turkey, and stated that they have been working “very intensely and extraordinarily”. Şahin stating that humanitarian and environmental development becoming more important than economic development in the process of dealing with the epidemic was important in terms of demonstrating her approach as a local administrator in the fight against COVID-19.

The following statement is included on the website (web sitesinde) which started its activities within the scope of combating coronavirus: “As a city acting with common sense, Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality tries to take all kinds of precautions by acting together with voluntary organizations, NGOs and all public institutions under the coordination of its governorship.”

After the discussions that arose with the donation campaigns conducted by the Istanbul and Ankara Metropolitan Municipalities, Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality made a statement (bir açıklama) and ended the campaign that was launched in the city 15 days before the start of the National Unity and Solidarity campaign and announced that they had deposited the cash donations collected during the period into the account of Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policies.

We talked with Hüseyin Akay, the Press and Publication Manager of the Municipality, about the applications of Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality and how Mayor Fatma Şahin made a difference as a woman local administrator in the fight against coronavirus. Akay said, “Philanthropy runs in the blood of Gaziantep.” and emphasized the difference of President Şahin as a woman local administrator and her acting with “mother’s affection” towards problems.

“The Local Administration Which Shines Out With Breaking New Grounds in Combating COVID-19”

Could you summarize the activities carried out by Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality in the scope of combating COVID-19? Have you prepared a strategy and action plan as part of this struggle?

Our municipality has been the local government that shone out with breaking new grounds in the fight against COVID-19. In line with the circulars published in the 2-legged struggle, we both tightened the disinfection and cleaning works and continue to provide services to the citizens with social supports. In GASMEK (Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Arts and Vocational Training Courses) within our municipality, which is called as the apple of the eye of the city, 15 thousand masks are produced daily in accordance with the Ministry of Health standards. The produced masks are distributed to the public free of charge. With this work, we became the first local government that manufactures masks in Turkey.

In addition, our Municipality started a model application as setting up “Social Distance Strips” as well as regular disinfection works for all public transportation vehicles, especially on trams and buses we have within our body.

In addition, while undertaking the cleaning of all taxi stops and taxis in the city for the first time, we carry out the disinfection of the interiors of the workers’ services with with 6 hours of hard work every day.by Ministry of Health licensed and World Health Organization (WHO) approved products that do not harm human health 

We distributed green soap and bleaches specific to Gaziantep especially in the suburbs and villages throughout the city. On the other hand, as per the circular issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, we have become one of the first municipalities who announced that the municipality and the companies operating under the municipality which are decided to be shut down will not be paying rents temporarily.

Upon the call of the Ministry of Health to stay at home, we first designed new studies to recreate the leisure time of the children whose schools were shut down. We started the distribution of 200 thousand of hundred primary works approved by the Ministry of National Education to primary, secondary and high school students. We’ve provided coloring books and puzzles for preschool children. We aimed families to play sports together by distributing chess sets to every house within the framework of “Sports City Gaziantep” by not forgetting the adults.

Following the circular of the curfew imposed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs for aged 65 and over and those with chronic conditions, we started distributing hot food and bread to the elderly who could not go shopping due to the ban. We also provided dry food aid for 1 month to the needy elderly.

By re-organizing our technological infrastructure, we have implemented the Online Access and Distance Education Action Plan which will prevent the risk of infection by facilitating the lives of both our citizens and municipal staff.

Does the fact that Gaziantep Mayor is a woman makes a difference in the city in terms of combating Coronavirus?

Our mayor Fatma Şahin, approaches all the work she does with a mother’s affection. We can see this both in the fight against Coronavirus and in all other municipal activities. Former Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım’s words “It was noticed that the city’s aesthetics and cleanliness have been touched by a woman’s hand.” have been remembered since then.

Which unit coordinates the activities you carry out in the fight against Coronavirus? Have you set up a new unit?

Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality acts with common sense and all work has been carried out under the coordination of the governorship. As in all crises, common sense prevails in the fight against Coronavirus. All our help and support is carried out under the coordination of the Governorship of Gaziantep.

“All Studies and Aid Activities are Under the Governorship Coordination”

How does the central government support local governments in combating Coronavirus? Are there any activities you carry out in cooperation with other municipalities?

In line with the published circulars, we have mobilized all our teams in the fight against the epidemic. Under the coordination of the governorship, we continue our work in coordination with all institutions in the city.

Do you continue your donation campaign in the fight against COVID-19? Do you have an application to meet those who want to donate and those who want to get help?

All aid activities are carried out through the Governorship.

As Metropolitan Municipality, what activities do you carry out in coordination with district municipalities?

We carry out all our work in unity and solidarity within the scope of the measures taken within the scope of COVID-19. We act in coordination with our district municipalities.

If I ask you to consider critically, how would you interpret local governments in Gaziantep and Turkey in the fight against Coronavirus?

We are among a national struggle with a global problem. We’ve taken this issue seriously in Turkey since this epidemic emerged in other countries and started to take our precautions. In line with the instructions of our President Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, we have taken all necessary precautions in our city without panicking.

What do you plan to do in the coming months if the process is prolonged?

We will continue our works at the same speed within the scope of the measures to be taken by our ministries. I wish our healthy days will come as soon as possible, hoping that the process will not be prolonged.

Do you follow the practices of other city municipalities? Are there any good practices of local governments in Turkey and at the global level that you take inspiration from?

Of course, we follow the measures taken all over the world. We also follow our municipalities in other provinces. As a municipality that breaks new grounds among the process, we continue to serve with full force and to take measures.

“Philantrophy Runs in The Blood of Gaziantep”

What conditions specific to Gaziantep make it difficult or easier for you to fight Coronavirus?

As our region, our city is such a beautiful area; it has such a fertile soil that you can find all the products that support the immune system. This gives us a great advantage.

Do you have any contact or cooperation with non-governmental organizations and voluntary organizations? Do you have a call to NGOs?

Philanthropy runs in the blood of Gaziantep. All our organizations and tradesmen are working heartily without a need of a call.

Do you have plans to cooperate with social enterprises or with other voluntary organizations?

As Gaziantep, a city with common sense, we try to take all kinds of precautions by acting together with voluntary organizations, NGOs and all public institutions under the coordination of our governorship.

How can citizens reach you? Which unit can they reach directly to help or to get help from you? What can they do?

All requests for food, cleaning etc. are recorded by the teams on the WhatsApp line number 0342 153 00 00 and the needs are met at the relevant addresses.

Do you have a message for Gaziantep and for people living in the city?

We are fighting with a global problem nationally. We say, “No need to panic, there are measures to be taken.”