Earthquake victims: Kurdish and Alevi discriminated by state

2023-02-21 15:07:08


	 

	MARAŞ - The people of Hasanali, whose roads were closed for five days and who spent the first 5 days of the earthquake in a barn, think that they are discriminated against because they are Kurds and Alevis. Citizens who did not receive support left the neighborhood.

	 

	The wounds of the rural neighborhoods of Elbistan, the epicenter of the second earthquake in Mereş, still could not be healed. Dozens of barns and houses were burned in Hasanali Neighborhood of the district. Days later, communication was possible with the neighborhood, whose roads were closed from snow for five days and where GSM operators were not working. 100 citizens who spent the first 5 days of the earthquake in a barn stayed with the animals. No tents have been given to the citizens, who are experiencing great difficulties due to their food, shelter, heating and water needs. Although days have passed since the earthquake, the citizens whose animals were still left in a ruined barn migrated because they could not find shelter. The citizens stated that while there are only 3 people left in the neighborhood where 100 people live, if this continues, they will migrate as well.

	 

	'THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT HELP US '

	 

	Expressing that the neighborhood road was closed on the night of the earthquake and the phones were not picking up, Aksu said: “Me and my 4 children were about to freeze. We stayed in a barn in the village with a hundred people and animals. On the fifth day, a team came and cleared our roads. Our elders are devastated. Our animals died under the rubble. We could not reach anyone. The state did not reach out to us, they did not open the roads. They were insensitive in every respect and we were victims in every field. Our suffering continues, at least they could have given us a place to shelter our animals. Or they could have given us a tent.”

	 

	'KURDS AND ALEVIS ARE DISCRIMINATED BY STATE'

	 

	Stating that Kurds and Alevis are discriminated against by the state, Aksu said: “This should not have happened. The state should help the public. I think there is discrimination. Of course, that's what I think if I haven't been given a hand or helped. If the state is not with me in this difficult time, of course, I will think about discrimination between Kurds/Alevis and Turks”.

	(ss)