Mayor Mehmet Özdil: “Resilient Small Businesses, Resilient Neighborhoods, and Strong Solidarity in the Face of Disasters”

Mehmet Özdil, Founding President of the International Union of Small Business Owners and President of the Ümraniye Chamber of Tradespeople and Artisans, met with a delegation from DAYMED to discuss disaster preparedness, ways to enhance the resilience of small business owners, and joint projects aimed at strengthening social solidarity.

The President and Board Members of the Association for Education on Natural Disasters and the Fight Against Poverty (DAYMED) paid a visit to Mehmet Özdil, Founding President of the International Tradesmen’s Union (UEB) and President of the Ümraniye Tradesmen and Artisans Chamber.

During the meeting, potential joint projects were discussed aimed at pre-disaster preparedness, rapid response during disasters, and strengthening social solidarity in the aftermath of disasters.

At the meeting, participants exchanged views on establishing a food banking infrastructure, ensuring access to basic necessities, enhancing cybersecurity for small business owners and enterprises, and making workplaces more resilient to disasters.

In addition, important projects such as the “Mobile Small Business Fleet”—designed to rapidly deliver needed services to disaster zones—neighborhood-based search and rescue training, and the formation of volunteer teams were evaluated.

Noting that small business owners are not only a key component of the economic life but also one of the strongest elements of social solidarity during disasters and crises, President Mehmet Özdil stated that by pooling the knowledge, resources, and experience of various institutions, cities can be made better prepared and more resilient against disasters.

Mayor Özdil thanked the DAYMED President and Board members for their kind visit and valuable insights.