No help for earthquake victims in Van

Many days have passed since the earthquake in the Turkish-Iranian border region. The affected villages in the northern Kurdistan province of Van still do not receive sufficient support.

ANF
VAN
Monday, 2 March 2020, 18:20

A 5.9 magnitude earthquake shook the border between Northern Kurdistan (Turkey) and Eastern Kurdistan (Iran) on 23 February. The greatest destruction occurred on Turkish side of the border in the rural neighborhood of Özpınar (Elbis) in Van’s Başkale district. Nine people died there, and a large part of the houses and stables collapsed.

According to HDP figures, 630 buildings have collapsed, and hundreds more are no longer habitable. Nevertheless, people are forced to stay in tents in sub-zero temperatures.

An aid delivery to the affected villages in Başkale provided by HDP local authorities has been stopped by security forces. Although the AKP government claims to be helping the earthquake victims, there is no sign of this on the ground. The villagers are demanding immediate aid and complaining that only summer tents have been distributed, which do not meet the needs. Food is distributed once a day, tells villager Fatih Acar. His wife and children have left the village and have found shelter in Van.

According to HDP member Muazzez Orhan, all aid deliveries have been halted.