Derya Ren 

 

SEMSÛR - SES Branch Co-chair Rengin Kılınc said that the wreckage of the 6 February earthquake continues on people's lives and that the people of the region are struggling with various diseases and livelihood problems.

 

According to official figures, 8 thousand 387 people lost their lives and 17 thousand 499 people were injured in Semsûr, one of the most damaged cities in the Meres-centred earthquake of 6 February. 

 

Again, according to official data, 5 thousand 826 buildings were destroyed and 8 thousand buildings were severely damaged in the city. 

 

Although 22 months have passed since the earthquake, people are still living in the rubble, while President Tayyip Erdogan's promise that ‘we will deliver the houses within 1 year’ remained in the air. On the other hand, experts state that air pollution caused by the destruction has led to an increase in various respiratory diseases.

 

While the city is left in rubble, both the people living in the region and health workers are trying to struggle with serious problems. Health Workers' Union (SES) Semsûr Branch Co-Chair Rengin Kılınc made evaluations on the issue.

 

The post-earthquake process is also a wreck

 

Stating that not only the earthquake process but also the aftermath of the earthquake turned into a disaster, Rengin said, "After the earthquake, a group went to the village to help. A woman there said, ‘We are all dead, some of us are buried’. There is still dead soil on the remaining people. Many people feel this way psychologically, they have not recovered from the earthquake. 

 

Yes, there is a life going on, but the conditions have become very difficult. The container cities that were established first hand after the earthquake were very unhealthy. They were not built in accordance with humanitarian conditions. The infrastructure problems of the containers, their close proximity to each other, the size of the containers, transport problems; all these were not calculated. Of course, such negligence started to reveal itself in the following processes."

 

Social isolation

 

Stating that different diseases occur in unhealthy conditions, Rengin said that the most common one is skin diseases. Rengin said, "Infection-related diseases have emerged and these diseases are still continuing. Urinary tract and vaginal infections have increased in women. Although they have been treated, these diseases still continue.

 

We observe an increase in sexual abuse and violence in container cities. Of course, this situation also causes social isolation. Nutritional disorders are very high, especially in mothers and children. There are some studies we have done on this subject, we have not reported them yet, but our work continues."

 

Increase in various diseases

 

Rengin said that different respiratory diseases also emerged due to air pollution and added the following: "The disease of people with asthma has turned into COPD. Apart from that, diarrhoea caused by air and water is very common. At the same time, since the water is polluted, different skin diseases have also emerged: hair loss, itching, scabies... 

 

Chronic or epidemic diseases may increase even more with winter. However, due to the air pollution after the earthquake, lung-related diseases may occur in the future. There are chronic diseases that may occur within 5 years at the earliest. 

 

After 5 years, we will need to create a report again. 9 months after the earthquake, demolitions started in Semsûr without irrigation. During this period, many people were returning to the city. Respiratory diseases also increased due to this."

 

Earthquake also affected winter preparations

 

Rengin said that they often discuss all these issues with local governments and added: "It needs to be an earthquake-resistant city because people still have a serious fear and trauma of earthquakes. Beyond that, suicides are very common. There should be psycho-social support areas. Semsûr is a poor city; since it does not have a proper economic income, it is difficult to sustain its life.

 

Unless the physical structure of this city is changed, our earthquake trauma and memory will not heal. The living standards of the people staying here should be improved."