HATAY - Earthquake victim Eyyam Irmak, who was caught in the earthquake in the hospital and struggled to survive with her son who had surgery, said: “Here is where I was born, my neighborhood, my house, everything. We don't want to leave our country."

 

In Hatay, the epicenter of which was affected by the earthquake, the survivors of the earthquake are faced with post-earthquake grievances after the heavy pain and losses they get through. The earthquake survivors, who have limited and unhygienic shower, toilet and tent problems, are forced to migrate as their problems are not resolved. Even though earthquake survivors lost their memories of the houses and neighborhoods where they were born and raised and built by laboring for years, they still maintain their hope and insistence on living in their cities with their culture.

 

This insistent stance also shows itself with the words "Hatay" and "our world" written on the destroyed walls, cars and ATMs of the city. Earthquake victims are clinging to life, to their “world” in benches, parks and tents they set up with their own means. Clinging to life in the destroyed city, where dust clouds are constantly wandering, and does not give up on his "world" Hatay, Eyyam Irmak said: "I would not leave the city despite the condition of my son who had surgery. My wife, my anemia-stricken son and I are struggling to survive in a cardboard plaque set up with the cooperation of volunteers, non-governmental and women's organizations in Sevgi Park in Defne district.

 

'WE WILL NOT LEAVE OUR COUNTRY'

 

Emphasizing that the condition of her son who had surgery is very bad and that he will not leave his hometown despite this, Irmak said: “There is no toilet and water, my son cannot get up, I have to make him do it here. We have a family disease. We don't know what we're going to do if they kick us out of here, but we don't want to leave. We don't want to leave this place, we want a healthy place in our hometown. Where I was born, my neighborhood, my home, everything is here. Our house is on the road but I don't know how? We can't go home. I don't want to leave my neighborhood where I was born. I am not in a position to go, my son cannot walk, I want to stay here. The state should prepare us for a good place. My son needs to see hot water. We don't want to get out of here and we don't leave our country. It would be good for us if toilets and water facilities are provided.”