MEDİNE MAMEDOĞLU

Hatay- In Hatay, one of the cities affected by the devastating earthquakes on February 6, 2023, aftershocks continue. While most people have already left the city, those still living in the city struggle to survive with the support of volunteers. The earthquake survivors criticize the change of the agenda in the country while even their needs have not been met although a month has passed since the earthquakes.  

‘Solidarity has kept us alive’

Sevilay Elmas, an earthquake survivor and Spokesperson of the Education and Science Workers' Union (Eğitim-Sen) Hatay branch, is a volunteer supporting the earthquake survivors since the first day of the earthquakes. She told us talking about the problems faced by the people in the city was very difficult for her, as a person who experienced the earthquakes. “Solidarity has kept us alive. People face serious problems and these problems have not been solved yet. But we support each other by being in solidarity with each other.”

‘We were left alone for a long time’

Sevilay Elmas pointed out that they were left alone for a long time after the earthquakes, “We received no aid for days. When people left their houses, they did not know they would not see their loved ones again. During the earthquake, it rained a lot. People tried to keep themselves warm by lighting fires outside. Many buildings collapsed and there were many people under the rubble; however, no search and rescue teams to help them. People were left alone here for three days.”

‘People do not have even a tent’

Although volunteers have sent humanitarian aid to the city, some earthquake survivors still do not have even a tent. Sevilay Elmas called on the authorities to meet the needs of the earthquake survivors, “The KESK (The Confederation of Public Employees' Trade Unions in Turkey) has sent basic hygiene products to us. We delivered these products to the people. But people still need aid. The earthquake survivors have not received tents yet. The voluntary organizations have limited opportunities to meet all needs of the people so state organizations should meet the needs of the people. We need containers and tents here.”

‘The agenda should not be changed’

Sevilay Elmas also reacted to the change of the agenda in the country. “The main agenda should be the earthquake zone, not the elections. People do not have a normal life here. They are still mourning and suffering. However, the agenda in the country has already changed. Now, everyone focuses on the elections, not the problems faced by the earthquake survivors.”