Babile Koşmaz, who survived the 6 February earthquake in Antep, said: “We did not receive any aid from the state. We could not even find bread. Now the state is selling houses to people who lost everything they had.”
Babile Koşmaz, who survived the Maraş-centered earthquake on 6 February in her house in Antep, spoke to ANF about her experiences during and after the devastating disaster.
Koşmaz and her family took shelter in a container. She said they were lucky, compared to most people, as thousands were left out in the cold.
“We could not leave the house during the quake. When we went out after the quake finally ended, we saw everyone out on the streets. For two days, we stayed in a building under construction. Then we took shelter in a container of an acquaintance. It was very crowded. We slept on chairs, and we warmed ourselves with heaters. I am originally from Maraş and many of my relatives lost their lives. Our house did not collapse, and it was classified as ‘slightly damaged’, although there are cracks on all the walls, including a very deep one in my daughter’s room. We will return to our house, but we do not know how we will get in,” she said.
The woman highlighted the fact that they did not receive any aid from the state. “We could not even find bread. Later, a bakery in a village began to distribute four breads for each family. There was no food either. Many did not even find a place for shelter. It was very cold. It rained, snowed and a storm broke out. It was very cold on the first day of the earthquake. There was no fuel for those who wanted to stay in their cars. Natural gas was cut off, and there was no water. People were left without water and out in the cold. We went through very hard times.”
Koşmaz pointed out that women were affected more than everyone else, adding: “The lack of toilets was our biggest problem. There was also a major problem with access to hygiene materials. We had to enter damaged houses to be able to change our clothes or go to the toilet. My elder sister is staying in a tent now. Many have been left out in the cold. The state provided no help.”
Commenting on the state’s plan to sell houses to survivors without homes with a 20-year payment plan, Koşmaz said: “People can hardly buy a house after years of work and labor. Those who lost their houses will be sold new houses now. People have lost everything they had. How are they supposed to pay for new houses now?"
