This paper critically examines the Turkish Grand National Assembly’s refusal to extend search efforts for missing children following the 2023 earthquake, arguing that the decision reflects institutional racism against the Kurdish population and broader patterns of governmental neglect. It explores how racial and political motivations, historical marginalization, and systemic underfunding of Kurdish regions shaped the response. Drawing parallels with the experiences of Indigenous communities in North America, the paper highlights the role of storytelling as a form of resistance against state efforts to erase marginalized histories. Through this comparative analysis, the essay underscores how institutional racism continues to impact disaster responses and community survival.
