Struggle of Local Administrations with the Epidemic (2): Municipalism of Crisis At İzmir

Today, we are discussing the applications implemented by the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality during the epidemic process. We’ve talked to İzmir Metropolitan Municipality’s Communication Coordinator Özgür Gürbüz about the approach of İzmir Municipality towards combatting the pandemic and the steps taken to promote solidarity. Gürbüz says that considering the economic and social consequences of the crisis will be severe, solidarity has been brought to the fore especially in İzmir.

In order to find quick solutions to the problems caused by the epidemic, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality launched a new management model called “municipalism of crisis” (kriz belediyeciliği) on the 30rd of March and prepared a directive regulating the new working principles. The Directive imposed new responsibilities on municipal units. In addition, three new boards were formed, consisting of the Crisis Management Supreme Board, the Crisis Management Executive Board, and the Science Board supporting these 2 main boards, including civil society representatives.

Unlike metropolitan municipalities such as Istanbul and Ankara, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality did not call for financial donations. Instead, they chose to take the role of facilitating the access of the aids to those in need by calling for those who want to support their fellow citizens through in-kind aids.

Another original application implemented by the metropolitan municipality in İzmir is “Halkın Bakkalı”. Citizens can contribute to solidarity by purchasing food packages from here to support producers and those in need. Another application is Maskematik, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality which produces 60 thousand masks per day with very low cost thanks to two machines, has started to place medical mask vending machines in subway stations to facilitate free access to the medical masks. 

Applications In Which Solidarity Is At The Forefront

Has İzmir Municipality prepared a strategy and an action plan within the scope of combating COVID-19? Which unit coordinates the activities you carry out in the fight against Corona?

Izmir Metropolitan Municipality has taken a series of measures and started to implement them since it was announced that the Coronavirus epidemic has also affected Turkey. Disinfection of public spaces as well as the public buildings were made, whether they belong to the municipality or not. In all areas, from municipal police inspections to green seats in public transport, works were carried out in accordance with the crisis conditions. Mask production started at the Occupation Factory. A “Scientific Committee” was established and a series of new rules which concern employees were introduced both in İzmir and in the Metropolitan Municipality. 

Then, municipalism of crisis began. In this context, a directive has been prepared and a municipal legislation was implemented for the first time in Turkey. The action plan was determined with the model supported by the Crisis Management Supreme Board and the Crisis Executive Board supported by the Science Board. Solidarity was especially emphasized because the economic and social consequences of the crisis were predicted to be severe.

How does the central government support local governments in the fight against Corona? As Metropolitan Municipality, what activities do you carry out in coordination with district municipalities? Do you follow the practices of other city municipalities?

Izmir Metropolitan Municipality is in contact with the central administration, especially with the Pandemic Board. Our suggestions are shared with other public institutions. Regular meetings are held with the officials of our district municipalities. We think that this is an indispensable condition for the spread of the rules throughout the city and for the spread of solidarity. We try to respond to requests from district municipalities as much as we can. Communication with other municipalities outside the city continues.

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

All the facilities of our municipality were mobilized to overcome the crisis caused by this epidemic. Savings measures were taken, non-urgent investments were stopped. Flexible working conditions were provided for employees. We think that this solidarity will be even more critical if the process is prolonged. Izmir Metropolitan Mayor Tunç Soyer suggested a two-week curfew implementation in Izmir during his meeting with the Pandemic Board to prevent the outbreak from spreading and stated that such a decision would be helpful in combating the Coronavirus epidemic.

In-Kind Aid Option Instead Of Financial Donations

How do you bring those who want to donate together with those who need help? Do you have contacts or collaborations with non-governmental organizations and voluntary organizations? Do you have a call to NGOs?

A large aid campaign has been launched for solidarity. Our municipality did not make a call for financial donations. For those who want to support their fellow citizens through in-kind aids, call centers as well as units dealing with social benefits were mobilized. The donations of those who call and reach us are delivered to those in need. We started to work with non-governmental organizations such as Izmir Solidarity Volunteers.

From which unit can citizens reach you both to help and get help?

Verbal applications are received from our call center 444 40 35 and via the website of our municipality. Written applications can be made for any kind of assistance from the Bizİzmir application. They can reach Izmir Metropolitan Municipality through these channels for both support and assistance requests.

Do you have a message to Izmir and to other city dwellers?

Apart from donations, there is a need for volunteers who want to be a part of this solidarity. As President Tunç Soyer said, “these hard days will pass and solidarity will remain”.