MehmetHe holds scissors in his hand and tells the person next to him that it is difficult to go to the store. later earthquakeget your razors back, get the water running for the tap, get your previous clients back, make some money again, start from scratch.
“It’s really hard. When it rains there’s a lot of leakage and I always live in fear of that.” a wind buy the store and lose it again My work place. “But what can I do? I have to work for my children,” says this hairdresser in his 50s, as a small queue of young people waiting for their turn has formed at the entrance of his shop.
Exactly one year after the February 6 earthquake in southeastern Turkey, very few people remain in the city. Samandaginside Hatay provinceThose most affected by the earthquake that claimed lives overnight almost 60,000 people between Türkiye And Syria.
“They promised us helpbut nothing came, neither materials for the work nor anything that could be salvaged. They promised us but did nothing. And now the truth is that we don’t expect anything. Samandag, AntakyaThe whole of Hatay… has been abandoned to us. If they had acted like other provinces, we would not be in this situation now. But there’s such a feeling here we were abandoned“says the man, struggling to sleep every night tent It’s right behind the shop he used as a hairdresser.
Like him throughout the region tens of thousands in tents; almost 700,000 more are alive temporary container citiesAccording to Turkish emergency services. Now, Türkiye local elections in the corner – they are planned for March 31– time is short.
An unfulfilled promise
Just a year ago, a few months after the earthquake: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan – then in his presidential campaign – promised that the Turkish Government would hand over those affected by the earthquake. 300,000 new homes on the first anniversary of the event. The promise was not fulfilled.
Currently, according to the Administrator’s data, 200,000 houses under construction. Of these, 40,000 They are nearing completion for delivery. However, the majority of them are not in Hatay province, where local government is in the hands of the state. oppositionbut in other affected areas.
“To be honest, the Government moved very quickly. Here’s what they told us: They will start delivering flats in May.. We do not know the months of May and April. “They are building incredibly fast and we are really happy!” he explains. Fatmaneighbor of the town SekerobaIn Kahramanmaraş, where Erdoğan swept all the elections.
She and her husband Mehmet, 40, lost their home in the earthquake and now live in a compartment where Mehmet lived. lung disease, was built hastily after the earthquake. Mehmet, who has spent his whole life in this village, says, “We will definitely leave here, because we have no other alternative. We do not have a house, so if we are lucky enough to buy a flat, we will go.” conservative and traditional town.
Once the construction of new houses is completed, residents who lost their homes will enter a new area. lottery. The lucky ones will move to their new apartments. Those who do not will have to wait for more buildings to be completed.
“We can’t wait. It will be a much better place than where we are now. We will be able to achieve this.” live more comfortably“says the man. “That’s why we are so nervous and happy Now. Fatma excitedly interrupted him and said, “We want to be able to set off as soon as possible.”
left rear
However, in this rebuilding frenzy, Antioch was left behind. The city and its historical center, previously famous for its special beauty and similarity HalepThose living in the neighboring city on the other side of the border are almost emptied. Those who remain are just thinking of leaving.
“There are no houses left standing There is no one either. The situation is terrible. No job. we lost everything. “We no longer have faith in the future,” he said. SaintA fruit and vegetable vendor in the center of Antioquía. As he speaks, a small crowd of customers and curious onlookers forms around him.
“Everyone here has lost someone. I I lost my three children and two grandchildren“, continues Aziza. “He who has not lost his father has lost his son. The one who didn’t lose his son lost his grandfather. we all have dead in our families. And now we are forced to live in terrible conditions. Luckily my house is still standing, but most of the time I no longer know how to get home at night. I don’t know my own city. I don’t know how to find myself. I’m a stranger in the house“says one customer.
A year later, residents of Antioch have lost the ability to look at the view. future. “I don’t think about it anymore,” says Aziza. “Before, I thought that yes, my daughter would study, my son would get ahead. But now they are gone, they are gone.” I do not think anything. Not being able to. I get up, I work, I try to earn enough for all of us, I sleep. This is everything”.