The leading figures of the sector emphasized the need for preparedness for disaster logistics ahead of a possible Marmara earthquake.

Dr. Hakan Çınar said, “We have a Marmara earthquake ahead of us. Preparation should be made as soon as possible without waiting for a disaster and a disaster coordination unit should be established.”

The Logistics Forum, which was organized for the 13th time this year by the Yeditepe University Logistics Club, brought students together with expert names in the sector. The forum, which lasted for three days, was attended by Yeditepe University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Aydın, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences Prof. Dr. Elif Erişen, Head of the Department of Logistics Management Prof. Dr. Erkut Akkartal, CEO of Mentor Customs Consultancy Dr. Hakan Çınar, as well as representatives of 20 companies, 22 speakers and students.

“If It Wasn’t for Logistics, Aid Would Be Meaningless”

Speaking at the opening of the forum, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Aydın stated that even if valuable products were produced, if there was no proper logistics activity and the product was not delivered, the production would be meaningless. He said, “We witnessed this in the recent earthquake disaster. Thanks to our valuable students, we carried out an incredible aid campaign. The pride of this is different. If we couldn’t deliver these materials, they would be meaningless.”

Akkartal: The Aim Is to Bring Students Together with the Sector

Head of the Department of Logistics Management at Yeditepe University, Prof. Dr. Erkut Akkartal, said that the Logistics Forum has an international feature and stated, “The aim of the Logistics Forum is to bring Logistics Management Department students together with the sector. First of all, to hear about the developments in the sector firsthand from sector employees, to listen to their expectations from students, and to create a synergy among these in order to provide an advantage in finding internship places in the future and starting working life.”

“A New Master Plan Should Be Made”

During the earthquakes that occurred on February 6th, Akkartal emphasized the importance of logistics, stating, “I wish we didn’t have to experience a disaster to understand the significance of logistics and supply chain. However, especially after the pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the earthquake disaster that left us with deep pain, it was once again understood that if certain goods and services, especially those vital to life, cannot be delivered to the required location, people’s lives are at great risk. Some difficulties were experienced in transportation, particularly during the earthquake. Due to some shortcomings in the planning stage, intervention could not be carried out quickly and timely enough. Some deficiencies were revealed in material and service planning. Therefore, a new master planning in this regard is necessary.”

Also speaking at the panel on disaster logistics, CEO of Mentor Customs Consultancy, Dr. Hakan Çınar, said, “Unfortunately, we realized the importance of being prepared for disaster logistics after this earthquake. We need to be prepared for disasters as much as possible. We were not prepared enough for the earthquake disaster, and as a result, we faced many negatives. Logistics and transportation companies made a lot of effort, but I cannot say that we had a very good period. We had a difficult time because it was an earthquake in a challenging geography. Therefore, we saw that despite the efforts of logistics companies, there was no planning or coordination. As a result, aid materials could not be delivered sufficiently to the desired locations. There should be a coordination unit for disaster logistics. We have an impending earthquake in Marmara. Preparation should be made as soon as possible without waiting for a disaster.”

Ilayda Iskenderoglu, the President of the Logistics Club, also stated, “As the Yeditepe Logistics Club, we are holding our traditional Logistics Forum event for the 13th time this year. At Logistics FORUM’23, we will be together with 20 companies and 22 speakers. It will be a forum where we will gain useful insights about current developments in the sector.”

Source: (BYZHA) Beyaz Haber Ajansı.