NEWS CENTER – As a result of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that occurred in Mereş Bazarcıx on February 6, Mereş and the surrounding provinces faced serious destruction. While the earthquake caused the destruction of the rotten buildings built before and after the AKP-MHP fascist government, it caused the death of tens of thousands of people. Although it is stated that it is 30 thousand-odd according to official data, some sources state that the loss of life exceeded 100 thousand.
With the allocation of natural disaster taxes collected by the fascist Turkish state from the people to the war budget, it was seen by the public how dysfunctional the basic needs of the right during the earthquake, even the AFAD institution, which should take action in such cases. While the people who had been waiting for days in the cold on the streets revolted, it was the people’s own organizations and other opposition institutions that rushed to help. Heyva Sor, who has been carrying out donation works for Kurdistan for 30 years, took action from the first day of the earthquake and tried to heal the wounds of the people affected by the earthquake.
As Nuçe Ciwan Agency, we interviewed Muhittin Dolaş about Heyva Sor activities.
Can you briefly introduce yourself?
First of all, I wish mercy to all those who lost their lives, I wish my condolences to the earthquake victims, I wish a speedy recovery to the patients. My name is Muhittin Dolaş, I carry out my activities in an already known institution.
Heyva Sor has been working with crisis areas in Kurdistan for years. Could you introduce Heyva Sor, what is its mission and how long has it been active?
Heyva Sor was founded in 1993 in Bochum, Germany. It was established with the efforts and efforts of our veteran friends. Since then, it started on a small scale and later on, it carries out its activities almost everywhere in Europe, continues to do so and gradually begins to become institutionalized. It was not fully established at that time. There were certain deficiencies and inadequacies. It is so now. But the institution is slowly becoming an institution with its members.
Currently, there is a humanitarian disaster due to the earthquake that took place on 6 February in Syria, Turkey – Kurdistan. How do you evaluate the situation on the field ?
The situation on the field is heartbreaking. We hear the cries of the people, even in Europe our mouths come to our hearts. Especially on this issue, the fascist Turkish state remains silent and did not even move a finger for a few days. People tried to reach the people under the rubble with their own efforts, efforts and opportunities. The state itself is indifferent to this issue. He can’t even accept criticism about it. They hurl the heaviest insults even at critics.
This atrocity still continues. Thousands of people are still under the rubble. The state, on the other hand, hides the real balance sheet by reducing the figures. He tries to present the balance sheet of the earthquake as if it were at a very simple level. However, there was a very effective earthquake and nearly 200,000 people were left under the rubble. But they give their balance sheet as 30 thousand-odd. Most likely, the rest will come out dead, too.
Where and how does Heyva Sor operate for earthquake victims? What role does Heyva Sor play on the field?
As Heyva Sor, we have taken action since the first day. He used all the means. All of our employees are still on the move. They are trying to deliver aid to wherever our people are. Not only Heyva Sor, but all patriots, all assemblies, everyone has been mobilized. There was a great mobilization spirit among our people and employees. Whoever is trying to do whatever they can. In fact, for the first time, people take action on their own, without any organization. They collect aid themselves and leave it to Heyva Sor. This shows how sensitive our people are.
What role do government agencies play on the ground? To what extent are they active?
As I mentioned at the beginning, the government is more of a spectator. He did not even move a hair for 3-4 days, remained a spectator, almost left people to die. It continues like this. He does this consciously. In other words, there is an institution called AFAD. But this institution is not very effective authority. Because the state invests its entire economy in war. It does not develop or expand other humanitarian institutions because it invests in war. It is at war, it cannot afford it with its current economy in this war. He wants the survivors to leave the country. Even Germany said that people can come for 3 months. This is an approach to evacuating Kurdistan.
Heyva Sor started a donation campaign for earthquake victims, how can people participate? What is needed?
We’ve already had a lot to say about this. Our friends tried to make it known to the public through the press. We collect more financial aid, monetary aid. Yes, people need everything. But it is very difficult to send from here. Even if we send it, the state confiscates it, or they try to stick the AFAD emblem and make it look like they sent it. In that sense, it’s not very healthy. We collect financial aid and send it intact. There is only one piece of clothing left on people anyway. So they need food, drink, clothing, shelter. People are outside right now and they are freezing cold. So everything is needed. We also collect monetary donations. Our people are sensitive about this. People are helping. We will continue to work as an institution. We will continue to mobilize all our strength day and night. All of our employees are also mobilized. We are trying to do our best to deliver aid to earthquake victims. We believe that the sensitivity of our people will continue in the future as well.
NC//Seher Deniz
