Shelters were set up to protect citizens after the earthquake thanks to the cooperation of Şêxmeqsûd and Eşrefiye neighbourhoods General Assembly, YPG and communes.

People said they were afraid to return to their houses damaged in the earthquake, and found refuge in the shelters set up by Şêxmeqsûd and Eşrefiye neighbourhoods General Assembly, YPG and communes.

Dijwar Nûman stayed in tents in Afrin Park in the Eşrefiye District. He told ANHA: “I was sleeping at home when the first earthquake struck. I awoke to the sounds of women and children crying. Everyone was out in the street. We left our homes in the early hours of the morning and we haven't been able to return yet.”

We are afraid of going into our houses

A citizen named Nesrîn Mistefa, who lives in an Aleppo neighbourhood controlled by the Damascus government and took shelter in Afrin Park after the earthquake, said: “I live on the second floor of a building. The house shook violently in the early hours of the morning. I immediately ran out with my kids. We don't know where we're going now."

Nesrîn Mistefa said that many buildings close to her home were destroyed and added: “We are afraid to return to our homes. We don't know what will happen to us. We will stay in Afrin Park until the situation is clear.”

According to the Şêxmeqsûd and Eşrefiye neighbourhood Health Council, 6 people have lost their lives and 50 citizens have been injured due to the earthquake so far.