Ankara: The Turkish Communications Directorate has initiated a digital communications campaign under the "National Solidarity" hashtag, showcasing the staggering $2.3 trillion economic cost incurred by Trkiye due to terrorism over the past four decades. The campaign features a video and a series of infographics shared via the Directorate's official social media platforms.
According to Anadolu Agency, the campaign emphasizes how the financial resources spent on counterterrorism efforts could have been redirected to bolster Trkiye's development and investment capabilities in crucial sectors. The initiative has rapidly gained traction on social media, with support pouring in from Cabinet ministers, parliament members, and various political figures. Posts underlined the "National Solidarity" hashtag and the significance of a "Terror-Free Trkiye" for economic prosperity, public welfare, and social cohesion.
The campaign provides a detailed analysis of investment potential across key sectors. It suggests that the $2.3 trillion could have financed solar power plants to meet Trkiye's electricity needs for 23 years or wind power plants for 17 years. Additionally, it could have funded the construction of numerous infrastructure projects, including 1,888 Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridges and 1,504 Eurasia Tunnels. In industry, the funds might have supported 15,000 organized industrial zones and 7,500 defense industry facilities.
In the realm of healthcare, the campaign estimates the budget could have built 5,150 city hospitals and over 3.6 million family health centers. For housing, it suggests financing for 36.3 million social housing units or 31.1 million earthquake-resistant homes. In education, the funding could have constructed 460,000 schools, totaling approximately 11 million classrooms. Furthermore, the resources could have enabled the construction of 1,150 dams and the procurement of thousands of firefighting helicopters and aircraft.
The campaign's messages, such as "A Strong Trkiye Is Possible Through National Solidarity," highlight the strategic importance of the "Terror-Free Trkiye" initiative for both national security and economic growth. The directorate's statement accompanying the campaign underscores that terrorism not only targeted Trkiye's security but also its economic development and social welfare. It emphasizes that achieving a Terror-Free Trkiye would be a victory for all citizens and the nation as a whole.