Standing with Turkey: How EnerSys employees sprang into action
On February 6, 2023, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck southern and central Turkey and northern and western Syria – the strongest earthquake to occur in the area since 1939. Over 14 million people have been affected, with over 50,000 lives lost and over 1.5 million people left homeless.
Across the world, countries, companies and organizations are answering Turkey’s call for help, sending volunteers, health workers, and aid.
EnerSys®, with operations in Turkey, sent a local team of engineers and technicians to one of the effected cities, Hatay, the very next day to offer humanitarian aid in the aftermath of this horrific natural disaster. The EnerSys team supported other global teams in repairing necessary infrastructure – specifically temporary shelters, and water and sewage systems.
In addition to the engineering team, the local EnerSys sales team in Turkey collaborated with other partners in the area to help repair communication networks in the region, so those affected can call for help and get in touch with loved ones. The EnerSys Turkey team also participated in building a support center in Hatay, which has been providing search and rescue equipment, cooked food, hygiene products and other goods to the earthquake victims.
“We are doing everything we can,” says Cihan Palta, General Manager of EnerSys Sales in Turkey. “But right now, mobile energy is one of the most important resources within the region.”
To help with this issue, the EnerSys Turkey team arranged for 470 EnerSys batteries to be delivered to the region to be used in conjunction with donated solar panels from local solar firms. With all this equipment, the EnerSys team is able to help bring power to people that need it most. EnerSys employees across the globe are also stepping up by donating funds to keep aid efforts on the ground moving along.
“We are in close contact with the National Emergency Management Center and the Chamber of Engineers to understand how we can better provide aid and technical support,” says Cihan. “Every day there is more to do, but we are taking it one step at a time.”
