Al-Imdaad Foundation providing life saving essentials to many displaced Syrian earthquake victims Photo Twitter @Alimdaad
Turkey-Syria – Two weeks after twin earthquakes rocked Turkey and Syria, two more quakes struck the border leaving six dead. The quakes of 6.4 and 5.8 magnitudes, were felt in Syria, Lebanon and Egypt.
The situation on the ground is much more severe than before. Many hospitals have been turned to rubble. The World Health Organisation has also issued a warning of a looming secondary crisis, said Moulana Suleman Dhanchora, Al-Imdaad Foundation.
“People on the ground are living in very very cramped conditions and sewage. People are at risk of respiratory diseases and cholera. The structural integrity of many hospitals have been compromised. In certain places people requiring any form of treatment, including child care and maternity care will have to attend a field hospital. Many of these hospitals feel very, very under equipped.”
On visiting one of these hospitals, Moulana Dhanchora was met with medical doctors who were working with little to no equipment. Many patients had suffered fractures and broken bones but there were no x-ray machines available.
For Abdul Aleem Gamza, the HOD of Fund Development Islamic Relief South Africa, it is almost impossible to explain the fear, panic and emotions of the people who survived the earthquake two weeks ago. Even though these quakes were weaker and shorter than two weeks ago, many buildings have collapsed.
“How do we begin to explain the feeling and the emotion of people who have gone through a devastating earthquake just two weeks ago. How do we begin to explain the aftershocks that happened and the aftermath and how do we begin to explain what goes through the psyche and the mindset of these individuals? The trauma that they are facing and the fear that was in their hearts.”
The needs of the people
The needs of people are still very great. The challenges are vast, explained Gamza. Below zero temperatures add to the difficulties, not forgetting many are disillusioned after suffering so much loss. , temperatures .
“We are still in the emergency phase. The people are still in need of blankets. The people are still in need of food, they are still in need of shelters and they are still in need of medical supplies. We have to think about how we are going to respond to this.”
SMread: The devastation caused in Syria by the earthquakes
The heartbreak of families
Many families have refused to leave their area of residence in the hopes of being reunited with their loved ones. Although people have been found alive, with the passage of time, these miraculous rescues are “much fewer and further apart,” said Moulana Dhanchora. Slowly people are beginning to accept the fate that they will not see their family members alive.
To help these families, psychological help will be provided to the families by various organisations. Relief efforts are still ongoing and Moulana is hopeful the people of Turkey and Syria will get the help they need.
To hear more about the situation on the ground from Moulana Suleman Dhanchora, listen to the podcast here
