This year, March 8, International Women's Day, is being experienced in the shadow of the struggle of women trying to hold on to life after the disaster in the tent city established by the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality in Hatay. Stating that they had a very difficult time, earthquake survivor women are trying to survive with their belief that these days will be left behind.
The women living in the tent city established by the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality in Hatay are having a sad International Women's Day on March 8 this year. Through the Key Women's Studies Holistic Service Center, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality extends a helping hand to women in the region and gives its best support to heal their wounds.
“We expect everything to return to normal”
Despite the difficulties they experienced, women who held on to life expressed their feelings as follows. Nuray Sökmen: “May Allah not give it to anyone. We lived, no one should. Our houses were destroyed. Our children were trapped under the rubble, but thankfully they survived. They tried to support us, God bless. My wife is a construction worker. Currently unemployed. We expect everything to return to normal.”
“How nice we were living, we had a warm home”
Süheyla Sökmen, who lives in a tent city with her daughter Arya Nur Sökmen: “We were already caught in the earthquake standing up. There was no damage to my house in the first earthquake, but in the afternoon earthquake, it was badly damaged. A very bad day. It is not a situation to live, God forbid that anyone should live. I have mixed feelings. Hopefully we'll get over this soon. How well we lived. We had a warm home, I was waiting for my wife to come home. This pain is something else.”
“We couldn't get our stuff from the house”
Seniye Bük: “Everyone was in their power at their job. Now there is neither work nor power. Nothing left the house. What shall we do, what shall we do! Property belongs to Allah. We can't let go, Turkey is ours. Wherever we go, there is already death. We said we'd better die here."
“February 5, we went to bed in the evening, we woke up in the morning with a disaster”
Nuray Tosun, who had to live in a tent city after the disaster, said: “We had very good lives, even if they were not perfect. We went to bed on the 5th of February, and woke up in the morning with a disaster. Inexplicable. We were people roasted in our own fat. Now we live in tents. May Allah be pleased with those who give, we are pleased, may Allah be pleased too. We also get our hot food. Hopefully this day will pass. We have no losses, we are comforted by them.”
"God forbid anyone"
Earthquake Victim Tuğba Karaver: “We are going through a difficult period. God forbid anyone. Our children and we were very devastated. Being homeless and living in a tent is very difficult. We want to switch to containers as soon as possible.”
“Our days are spent crying”
Fatma Hatip stated that she does not have a husband and her three sons live in different cities: “Our days are spent with stress and crying. Earthquakes happen from time to time, we are very afraid. We are going through very difficult days.”
Aynur Çalar: “It is very difficult to live in tents. God forbid anyone. I have 6 grandchildren, I cannot do anything for them.”
Saniye Çalar, who lives in a tent with a disabled son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren: “We are all in the same tent with 8-10 people. May Allah be pleased with the one who gives a piece of bread.”