HESNA MIHEMED

Shahba- The earthquakes that centered in Maraş have killed many people and damaged many houses and buildings in Turkey, Kurdistan and Syria. Jindires town located in the Afrin region of North and East Syria, is also affected by the earthquakes. The earthquakes have killed more than 600 people and injured thousands of people in the region. In addition, thousands of people become homeless. However, the Turkish state prevented emergency teams from entering the region to help people. Since the region is under the control of the Turkish state and Turkey-backed paramilitary groups, humanitarian aid cannot be sent to the region. Although the Autonomous Administration has been mobilizing for earthquake victims since the first day of the earthquakes, it is often subjected to the restrictions of the Turkish state. Until now, a safe corridor for earthquake victims has not been opened. Lawyer Rûşîn Hido spoke to NuJINHA about the situation in the region.

‘Humanitarian aid should be immediately provided’

Drawing attention to the natural disaster, Rûşîn Hido said that the earthquakes that occurred in Maraş have killed and injured thousands of people and damaged many cities. “In this disaster, thousands of people have lost their lives, thousands more have been injured and left homeless. The Jindires town of Afrin is one of the areas badly affected by the earthquakes. It is the most damaged town in Syria. Thousands of people have been staying outside in freezing temperatures for a week. The Turkish state occupied this region and now it does not allow people to get humanitarian aid. Humanitarian aid should be immediately provided in the region. People should not face discrimination."

‘Teams are prevented from entering the region’

“According to the Hague Convention, an occupying power party must fulfill its duty to meet the people’s needs in the occupied areas,” Rûşîn Hid said, “But the Turkish state does not fulfill its duty. The Turkish state does not help the people in Syria by discriminating among people. The Turkish state discriminates among Turks, Arabs and Kurds even if in its own territory. The Turkish state does not allow emergency and search-rescue teams to enter the region.”

‘Humanitarian aid waits for the approval of the Turkish state!’

Stating that humanitarian aid has been tried to be sent to the earthquake victims since the earthquakes occurred, Rûşîn Hido said, “The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria tried to send humanitarian aid to the areas affected by the earthquakes. However, humanitarian aid vehicles wait outside of the region for the approval of the Turkish state. The Autonomous Administration never discriminates among people. Many people have gotten in contact with the Turkish authorities to send humanitarian aid to the region; however, no answers have been received. People need humanitarian aid. The Turkish state violates international conventions by preventing humanitarian aid from being sent to the region. The Turkish state ignores all international conventions and agreements.”