A crane is being used to remove the rubble as rescue worker clear the way Photo Hasina Gori
Hatay – “I don’t think anything could have prepared me for Hatay and what we saw there,” these words alone from Salaamedia’s reporter, Hasina Gori, tell the story of the destruction that awaited them when they went to the city.
At first glance, it seemed as if the city was just deserted but untouched. The tall buildings showed no sign an earthquake had ripped through the city. Moving through the residential area, it became apparent how one of the strongest earthquakes decimated the city.
Listen: Hasina Gori describes the scenes and devastation she came across in Hatay
The state of Hatay
From a distance a building appears to be fine but walk towards it and the cracks become more apparent. Eventually you’ll come to find shattered windows and glass along the sidewalk. Pieces of a building, still standing, on the sidewalk giving you a glimpse into what people left behind. Their lives are frozen in time.
“As you drive through this residential area, there’s just cracks in the walls of buildings. The facades are out. You’re like peeking into moments of someone’s house frozen in time. A piece of a curtain flapping, a chair upside down and there’s rubble just scattered everywhere.”
Walking through the obliterated communities, Gori’s eyes fell upon a washing line. An entire family’s laundry hanging out to dry. There was no certainty if the family would return home or even if they had survived the earthquake.
Entire apartments have collapsed. These are the remnants left behind Photo Hasina Gori
Entire apartments have collapsed. These are the remnants left behind Photo Hasina Gori
Entire apartments have collapsed. These are the remnants left behind Photo Hasina Gori
Entire apartments have collapsed. These are the remnants left behind Photo Hasina Gori
Entire apartments have collapsed. These are the remnants left behind Photo Hasina Gori
A temporary shelter had been constructed at the back of a parkade. Tents had already been set up and citizens had what little they owned in it. Fires were being lit outside each tent as people tried to keep themselves warm Video Hasina Gori
“We had gone into a Kurdish community and there was a camp set up. You could see it wasn’t an affluent community. They were herding their sheep which were going through some of the buildings. They took us walking through their village explaining to us how many members of their community they lost” Video Hasina Gori
“I don’t think words can describe or really quantify the impact that these two earthquakes have made and that’s just in this one region. There are nine others that are also affected.”
A young man who is distraught is comforted by a lady. Another holds his head in his hands as he try to come to terms with the loss while an old woman hauntingly repeats Ya Rabbi (My God) Video Hasina Gori
Providing relief to those in need
There are many organisations on the ground providing humanitarian aid. Imam Khalid Latif, from Islamic Relief USA, said the road to recovery, especially for those who have lost family members, is going to be a long and difficult one. Everyone must pitch in to help where they can.
“For me, coming from the States, I don’t believe God has given me a platform to be self-serving and where I have the opportunity to see what’s happening here and go back, encourage people to support, give their contributions and continue to keep people in their prayers. It’s going to be a long term process and each one of us has to do what we can to help as much as we can.”
