MEDİNE MAMEDOĞLU

 Semsûr (Adıyaman)- In the cities affected by the February 6 earthquakes that struck Turkey, Kurdistan and Syria, quake survivors still have no access to health services, education and shelters. The Human Rights Association (IHD) established the Earthquake Commission to determine rights violations faced by quake survivors on the ground.  The members of the commission keep working in a container.

NuJINHA spoke to Dilan Güler, Co-chair of the Human Rights Association (IHD) Semsûr Branch, about the activities of the commission.

‘People were left alone’

Dilan Güler talked about rights violations that started on the first day of the earthquakes. “The search and rescue efforts started very late. Due to the late search and rescue efforts, the death toll rose,” she said, adding:

“Excavators keep removing debris. The dust released from demolished buildings is a problem faced by survivors. Another problem in the city is the presence of asbestos. Researchers say that asbestos can lead to chronic diseases in the future. Companies do not spray water to stop the spread of the dust while breaking up rubble and separating materials.”

‘The right to life is ignored in the container cities’

Speaking about rights violations faced by quake survivors in accessing shelters, health services and hygiene, Dilan Güler said, “The quake survivors have been subjected to rights violations since the first day of the earthquakes. They face serious problems in accessing shelters, health services and hygiene supplies. People face many problems in container cities. The containers are close to each other and quake survivors live under difficult conditions. Their right to life is ignored in the container cities.”

Violence against women increases

Dilan Güler talked about the lack of security in the container cities. “Women and children experience serious difficulties due to the lack of security. We observe an increase in violence against women and child abuse in container cities.”

‘The Earthquake Commission will keep working on the ground’

Dilan Güler criticized the lack of awareness-raising activities for quake survivors. “Quake survivors do not know what they should do and what will happen in the future. The Earthquake Commission of the IHD will keep working on the ground to support quake survivors and determine rights violations faced by them.”