Yezidi Kurds who fled the attacks of ISIS gangs in Sinjar and took refuge in North Kurdistan, are endeavouring to adjust to their new lives in the communes in which they have been accommodated in Şırnak, Batman, Diyarbakır, Mardin - Midyat, Derik, Nusaybin, Kızıltepe, Urfa-Viranşehir and Siirt.

The commune set up on the Van road in Şırnak, called the Aktarım Campus, is perhaps the most lively place in the region. 1,500 people who crossed at the Roboski border arrived at the campus on Sunday morning. During this period DBP municipalities have an important task. On Saturday night the Amed (Diyarbakır) municipality sent 300 Yezidis by bus to communes in Bismil district. 800 people have also been accommodated in Siirt.

Silvan municipality is also setting up a commune.

What have Turkish authorities done?

The Turkish authgorities have virtually ignored the plight of the Yezidi refugees. Apart from handing out 1,200 ready meals and helmets, the Turkish Disaster Emergency Aid Institution (AFAD) has done nothing for the refuges. UNHCR aid has reached the refugees in the form of a week’s supply of food. Donations of shoes and clothes have been made by local people, and planning is under way to provide winter clothing. Consideration has been made of the fact that Yezidis do not wear blue due to their beliefs.

"Thousands of Yezidis have lung problems”

Around 30 thousand Yezidis have come to North Kurdistan and their greatest needs are in health. The hospital at the campus in Şırnak is always full. Volunteer doctors and nurses are being kept busy. Many of the Yezidis have lung problems on account of the long distances they covered on foot in the heat and have lost excessive weight. Health officials add that the refugees need a healthy diet with yogurt, eggs and cheese in order to overcome the risk of falling ill due to the physical and psychological trauma they have suffered.