UN Resident Coordinator Babatunde Ahonsi in Gaziantep for his first official visit

The newly appointed United Nations Resident Coordinator Dr. Babatunde Ahonsi made his first official visit to Gaziantep, one of the 11 provinces affected from the February 6 earthquakes in the South-east region of Türkiye.

UN Resident Coordinator Ahonsi first met with the Area-Based Coordination Team (ABC Team) in Gaziantep which is a complementary and advisory body to the UN Country Team to help coordinate the UN and partner activities that support the Government’s response to the recovery efforts following earthquakes in South-east Türkiye.   

Dr. Ahonsi congratulated the ABC team for the collective efforts and achievements in response to the effects of the earthquakes adding that the ABC is a good model as a coordination mechanism which deploys a humanitarian-development nexus approach.

The new Resident Coordinator also expressed that he is glad that the ABC mechanism which is originally planned until the end of 2023 is now extended for the 6-months and he is looking forward to seeing the continued achievements of the ABC.

During his meeting with the ABC team Dr. Ahonsi emphasized the importance of localization agenda through strong and meaningful engagements with NGOs, local authorities and other stakeholders.

UN Resident Coordinator Ahonsi later met with the Gaziantep Governor Kemal Çeber and extended condolences to the citizens of Gaziantep who lost their loved ones in the devastating earthquakes.

“I want to wish Gaziantep a fast recovery through the process of building back better. The United Nations will be a co-traveller with you, we are here to be your partners” said Dr. Ahonsi.

The UN Resident Coordinator commended Türkiye’s exemplary leadership in coordinating the comprehensive search and rescue operations, humanitarian assistance, and recovery efforts.

Governor Çeber congratulated Dr. Ahonsi for his new appointment. He expressed that the region experienced the disaster of the century. 50 thousand lives lost, 13 million poeple were affected. “But we have expressed to our citizens and the whole world that we will overcome this as a country. We are moving forward at maximum speed in every affected region. We are pleased to see the UN and its member states with us in the recovery process” said Governor Çeber.

Dr. Ahonsi also visited Fatma Şahin, Mayor of Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality. “My first mission should be to the region affected from the February 6 earthquakes because UN’s mission is really about human well being and dignity” said the new Resident Coordinator. Dr. Ahonsi congratulated Mayor Şahin for her leadership in recovery and building back better following the earthquakes.

“Gaziantep is hosting 500 thousand refugees and on top of that we were also heavily affected from the earthquakes. We appreciate the UN’s support. We had several joint projects” said Mayor Şahin.

The Resident Coordinator and the Mayor exchanged information on recovery efforts and reconstruction plans and expressed willingness for extended and strengthened collaboration in the future.