INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY IN TIMES OF CRISIS
HOYT REFLECTS ON HIS VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE IN TÜRKIYE
SEPTEMBER 14, 2023
Hoyt Jeter is a Professional Engineer who recently joined us as an earthquake relief volunteer in Türkiye. Below, Hoyt reflects on his time applying his engineering experience in a disaster-impacted area as well as how he developed his volunteer skills.
THE EARTHQUAKE
Türkiye and the surrounding regions are precariously situated upon and between four highly active tectonic plates – the African, the Anatolian, the Arabian and the Eurasian – leaving these areas more prone to seismic activity. Fault lines, or fracture zones, develop between tectonic plates, allowing them to move, which is what causes earthquakes to form. On February 6, 2023, an initial 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the region, followed by a second, registering 7.5 magnitude and a third registering 6.0 magnitude. The one-two punch of these major earthquakes proved catastrophic, with tens of thousands of lives lost and even more injured.
PUTTING MY PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE TO GOOD USE
After hearing about the devastation in Kahramanmaraş, I felt compelled to join the efforts in assisting impacted communities. As the Principal Engineer for the city of Tacoma in Washington, U.S.A., I was confident my knowledge and experience could be put to good use.
As a member of Washington Safety Assessment and Facilities Evaluators (WAsafe), the Structural Engineers Association of Washington (SEAW) requested that engineers with this training be ready to go if Turkish authorities confirmed they needed our support. However, the local government in Kahramanmaraș indicated they didn’t require outside help at that time.
While searching for alternative ways I could be of service, I learned about All Hands and Hearts (AHAH), who were already established on the ground and seeking volunteers to support their efforts. AHAH run volunteer-powered disaster relief programs around the world in response to various types of disasters, in addition to earthquakes, such as catastrophic flooding, hurricanes and wildfires. It should be noted that while I could offer my expertise as an engineer, they don’t require volunteers to hold specific skills or experience.
“Together with the other amazing volunteers and staff members at All Hands and Hearts, we exemplified the spirit of international cooperation and solidarity in times of crisis.“
MY TIME IN TÜRKIYE
I spent a month in Kahramanmaraş with an incredible team of international volunteers and staff members, focusing our efforts on providing vital emergency aid to displaced individuals. I was also grateful to lend my engineering expertise to help inspect damaged buildings and join a team constructing a portable learning space..
THE IMPORTANCE OF EARTHQUAKE-RESILIENT DESIGN
While conducting assessments of buildings throughout Kahramanmaraş, I noticed various design issues that undoubtedly contributed to the scale of the damage. Given the February 6 earthquake was one of the strongest on record, I couldn’t help but think how employing verified seismic design codes and standards could have improved structural integrity and saved more lives. As a Professional Engineer and code specialist, I have a duty to raise awareness of these issues and advocate for improved construction practices that prioritize safety and resilience. I’ve written about my observations in an article published by the International Code Council (ICC). I hope to contribute to ongoing efforts to promote more earthquake-resilient building practices in Kahramanmaraş and beyond.
RESTORING ACCESS TO EDUCATION
I didn’t have my engineering hat on the entire month I spent on the ground, and felt just as useful in my purple All Hands and Hearts volunteer shirt.
One of my proudest achievements while volunteering was being part of a team building a portable learning space where internally displaced children could continue their studies. The original school attended by local students had sustained excessive damage, so replacing it quickly became a primary task. We secured a solid frame during my time supporting this critical project, and it was heartening to witness education continuing while we worked despite the destruction and chaos of living in a disaster-impacted region. Friends I volunteered with have since shared the completed project with me, and I am overjoyed to know we helped restore a safe learning environment and a sense of normalcy for students.
MEETING THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY
The earthquakes caused significant damage to homes across the region. Many community members forced to leave their homes had turned to constructing improvised tents in tight spaces alongside their family members and neighbors. After observing this, I jumped at the opportunity to help teams of volunteers, staff members and other local partner organizations prepare temporary living spaces for residents whose homes had been destroyed or rendered unsafe for occupancy.
Another critical project I supported was packaging food and clothing donations to be distributed to local displaced people. We carefully sorted and organized crucial supplies and ensured those most impacted received these essential items to fulfill their basic needs. Thanks to the volunteer-assembled storage tents, we could quickly and efficiently access and manage many goods to be sorted, packaged and distributed.
EVERYONE HAS THE POWER TO CREATE POSITIVE CHANGE
Overall, my experience in Kahramanmaraş, as a Professional Engineer, as an international volunteer and as an American was as sobering and enlightening as it was enriching and gratifying. As we worked towards restoring hope and stability in the region, together with the other amazing volunteers and staff members at All Hands and Hearts, we exemplified the spirit of international cooperation and solidarity in times of crisis.
Since returning home, I’ve conducted presentations to fellow engineers and members of my local ICC chapter in my home state of Washington, encouraging them to volunteer. I’ve also kept in contact with friends from program and appreciate the opportunity AHAH to do so via their Alumni Network platform designed exclusively for people who have volunteered on any of their programs over the years.
While I’ve shared this experience to compel other certified engineers to get involved with this inspiring organization, All Hands and Hearts opens its doors to anyone who can show up and work hard, regardless of their humanitarian skill level or professional background. They’ve also recently launched a National Volunteer Sponsorship Fund to support people who require additional resources to volunteer in their own country, provided they have a program there.
If you want to have a transformational experience like I did – and believe me, you do – then check out their volunteer opportunities!
