Earthquake victims: The tent city is like a prison 

2023-03-18 12:34:22


	 

	DİYARBAKIR- Remzi Önlik, who was forced to settle in the tent city built on the bed of the Tigris River because his house was damaged in the earthquake, and was evacuated due to the flood, said that he did not want to return to the prison-like place, stating that they were victimized twice.

	 

	One of the earthquake victims, Remzi Önlik (70), who was evacuated due to the flood that occurred two days ago in the tent city built on the banks of the Tigris River despite the opposition of all non-governmental organizations and organizations in the city, said that they were victimized both in the earthquake and in the tent city.

	 

	'NOBODY TAKE CARE US'

	 

	Önlik, residing on the 251st street of Kaynartepe Mahallesi in Rezan district, said: “I woke up with the crackling sound of the columns on the night of the earthquake. I just threw myself out. Everyone in the neighborhood was outside. I couldn't stay at home because of fear, my nephew had a cafeteria and I stayed there for 10 days. I learned that my brother bought a tent in Koşuyolu Park because his house was badly damaged. I went there too. I stayed in his tent for 6 days. The Governor of Bağlar came to the tent where I was staying, and he left without taking care of any earthquake victims.”

	 

	'OUR BASIC NEEDS ARE NOT MET'

	 

	Stating that he had to go to the tent city set up on the banks of the Tigris River because he did not have a tent, Önlik spoke about what they get through: “When the food is delivered, there is a stampede, the taps are broken when we go to the toilet, the bathroom works with solar energy with a small thermos placed, and when we turn on the water, cold water comes. We were given a card for our own needs. This card was only for those who stayed in the tent city. There is a thousand 500 TL in it and they have set up a market in the tent with it, you can buy your own needs from there. When I go to the market, there is nothing about basic needs. Soap, shampoo, baby clothes, crackers, biscuits and cologne. I could only buy underwear, soap, shampoo and boots from there, but these are not enough for us. When we tell the authorities 'our basic needs are not being met', they say they can do anything."

	 

	'I CAN'T USE MY CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT'

	 

	Emphasizing that they do not accept guests in the tent city, Önlik said: “My nephew came to learn about my situation, but the policemen at the door did not let him in. They only let those in the tent city in. As we enter, they let us in by showing our tent city ID and identity card. I am not a prisoner or convict here. We have complaints, we tell the administration, but no one is interested in us on this issue."

	 

	'WE ARE LIVING IN UNHEALTHY CONDITIONS'

	 

	Expressing that the tents were evacuated after the flood caused by the heavy rain, Önlik said: “Many families were affected by the rain and no one can stay there under these conditions. They took the earthquake victims from the tent city with the effect of the rain, and took them to the Green Crescent Rehabilitation Center. But it was said that they were temporarily taken away. Everywhere in the tent city is muddy, we are having a lot of difficulty here. No one hears our voice. At the moment, I do not know where I will stay, I have no financial means, I struggle with life in unhealthy conditions. We were victims of the earthquake once, as if that wasn't enough, they also made us victims in the tent city.”