ŞIRNAK- Starting an aid campaign for earthquake victims in Şırnak, non-governmental organizations and political parties said: "The solidarity is prevented with the declaration of the State of Emergency. The State of Emergency decision should be stopped and these regions should be declared as disaster areas".

 

While thousands of people lost their lives in 10 cities affected by two earthquakes with a magnitude of 7.7 and 7.6, centered in Kahraman , tens of thousands of them survived with injuries. In the earthquake, which directly affected 13 million people, aid is collected in the cities of Kurdistan with a one-time spirit and sent to the earthquake victims. Aid campaigns, in which the public shows great interest, continue in Şırnak and its districts.

 

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who appeared before the cameras 34 hours after the earthquake, declared a State of Emergency (OHAL) in 10 provinces under his authority. Broad powers are given to governorships with the state of emergency from confiscating the aid collected to prevent journalists working in the region. The non-governmental organizations and political parties that started the aid campaign in Kurdistan stated that the declaration of the State of Emergency was not acceptable and that the AKP-MHP government was under the rubble.

 

'SOLIDARITY SHOULD NOT BE PREVENTED'

 

Stating that with the declaration of the State of Emergency, outgoing aid was blocked, Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Şırnak Provincial Co-Chair Abdullah Güngen said: "We are going through difficult times together. While we had to get through these difficult days together, and instead of helping the earthquake-hit areas more, a state of emergency was declared. This decision worries people. The state paves the way for aid, paves the way for the press. Solidarity should not be prevented. We declared mobilization and so far we have sent 10 trucks of aid to the regions. We have built a great bridge between the people. Despite the state of emergency, we will continue our work and support.”

 

'STATE OF EMERGENCY COVERS UP THEIR SHORTCOMINGS'

 

Stating that AKP and MHP were under the rubble, Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Şırnak Provincial Co-Chair Zeki İrmez said: "A great disaster has befallen our people. This earthquake has shown once again that the state has not taken any measures so far. Before the earthquake, earthquake experts warned that such an earthquake would happen. Very important warnings were made. But unfortunately, AKP and MHP officials did not take any precautions. Now they have declared a state of emergency to cover up their shortcomings. Nobody should share these shortcomings with the public and they chose this way so that it would not be disclosed. We will heal the wounds of the people together."

 

DISASTER AREA MUST BE DECLARED NOT STATE OF EMERGENCY

 

Emphasizing that Turkey is an earthquake-prone country and earthquake-resistant buildings should be built, Şenbayram said: “The government should not declare a state of emergency, but to ensure that aid is delivered there more and faster. As always, the first thing the rulers took was to declare a state of emergency. The areas affected by the earthquake should be declared as disaster areas, not a state of emergency. Today we have to help each other. People expect this from us. The state of emergency should be stopped and the disaster areas should be stopped. Our people are experiencing an economic crisis. Those who rule us today have put us in this crisis, but despite this, we ask our people to be a little more altruistic. Please don't hesitate to help us."