🔍Pre-assessment report on February 6, 2023 Kahramanmaras Pazarcik and Elbistan earthquakes
by the Turkish Chamber of Civil Engineers
WCCE would like to expresses its most profound condolences and sympathy to the Turkish Chamber Of Civil Engineers (TCCE) and the people of Turkey for this tragedy. Our heart goes out to all those affected by this tremendous disaster.
Two major earthquakes occurred on Monday, February 6, 2023, in Turkey. The first one, with a magnitude of 7.7, struck at 04.17 h, at Pazarcık district of Kahramanmaraş; the second earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 struck Elbistan district of Kahramanmaraş at 13.24 h. Both earthquakes caused widespread collapsed and severely damaged residential and commercial buildings, public facilities, and infrastructure. The death toll is over 41.000 people already and rising, more than 80.000 were injured and the wounds and trauma caused is immeasurable.
📯 WCCE President's take on our last General Assembly
The GA was a great success. Portuguese Ordem dos Engenheiros was able to organize the meetings very well and we were able to gather, in person, the Presidents of ASCE, ECCE, WCCE, WFEO, and, of course, their “bastonario”. Even the new FAEO president attended virtually to the GA. I would give top marks to this Assembly !!’Not only we had good discussions about our profession, but also we were able to set the basis for different inititatives, and some guidelines for the future. I hope you all will be able to see them through soon enough. I am very grateful to all who participated, especially to our magnificent hosts. Our next must be to focus on the work of our Standing Committees and Working Groups, finetune our bylaws, and proceed with some special projects for which I expect the contributions of all of you.
📰 Statement by WFEO President, Prof. José Vieira, following the earthquake in Syria and Turkiye
The World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) expresses its deep sympathy and solidarity with the victims of the deadly earthquake that struck Syria and Turkiye. Our thoughts are with the thousands who lost their lives and loved ones.
The international community of engineers shall stand by the people whose cities, villages, roads, companies and public services have been devastated. This is still the time for the emergency response, and we share our gratitude with the rescue teams and all NGOs which are active in the field of humanitarian assistance.
In such a context, WFEO supports the call from the United Nations Human Rights High Commissioner (UNHRHC) to lift the financial sanctions that prevent effective funding of emergency missions and NGOs interventions.
📰 Echoes of WCCE's 2nd Extraordinary General Assembly
WCCE’s 2nd Extraordinary General Assembly of the World Council of Civil Engineers was held virtually on 29th September 2022. The celebration of such Extraordinary Assembly was required by WCCE by-laws as the procedure to propose any changes in the bylaws. The meeting was attended exclusively by WCCE member representatives regarding the matters addressed. All member organizations entitled to vote attended this milestone meeting. The General Assembly also launched several initiatives which will be finalized during WCCE's 17th General Assembly.
🧾 Global consultation on disaster risk management, resilience and sustainability in the built environment.
The International Coalition for Sustainable Infrastructure (ICSI), a partnering organization with WFEO, is launching a global consultation to collect views from members of the engineering community on topics related to the implementation of disaster risk management, resilience and sustainable development in the built environment.
As part of this consultation, ICSI is seeking input and feedback from engineering institutions, practitioners and academics through this survey, expert interviews and convenings.
📯 WCCE's Infrastructure Report Review Team
WFEO appointed WCCE as one of the two task groups to review WFEO's infrastructure report card deliverables. The report Infrastructure Report for Africa South of the Sahara was directed by FAEO and chaired by Eng. Dr. Martin van Veelen.
The report’s objectives are twofold:
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- to increase awareness of the importance of economic and social infrastructure and the associated role of engineering and built environment professionals, and
- to promote the professions and built environment as a career destination.
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In that sense, the report includes evaluations of the infrastructure related to the different economic and social sectors, like energy, sanitation, roads, water supply, airports, ports, etc. WFEO accepted the nomination of a team of four official reviewers, Andreas Brandner (Austria) as the team leader, Joan Nweke (Nigeria), Eng. Justus Otwani (Kenya), and Gerardo Castillo (Costa Rica). Additionally, Victor Smith (Liberia) and Jorge E. Abramian (Argentina) will integrate the team as collaborators.
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