February 22, 2023 News

Reconstruction after earthquake will take at least 3 years, says Neda Khanji from our partner organisation Violet providing aid in Syria

The catastrophic earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria has had devastating consequences. More than 50,000 people have lost their lives. Infrastructure in the affected areas has been destroyed, while many people are still surviving in makeshift shelters. What is currently most needed? And how will the assistance change in the coming weeks and months? We talked to Neda Khanji from Violet, our partner organisation providing aid to people affected by the earthquake in Syria.

DONATE TO CARITAS FOR TURKEY AND SYRIA

It has been more than two weeks since the catastrophic earthquake hit Turkey and Syria. Violet is helping the affected people in north-west Syria. How has the situation changed over this time?

The situation in north-west Syria was already very bad before the earthquake. This year marks 12 years since the start of the war in Syria and there are about 4 million people in the north-west of the country who are still in need of humanitarian aid. Many of them were already surviving in tents and makeshift shelters before the earthquake, and now many more are affected. People have lost their homes and their livelihoods. Even two weeks after the earthquake, they are still traumatised and panicking with each new tremor.

Our organisation was also directly affected by the earthquake. Sadly, five of our colleagues and volunteers lost their lives in the earthquake. I hope God will have mercy on them and their families and lift their souls.

Violet organisation has been helping people affected by the earthquake since day one. What does this help look like and how is the money from the Caritas for Turkey and Syria fundraising appeal helping directly in Syria?

We have faced many crises in Syria in the past, and we have been actively involved in helping local communities. Whether it was massive displacement of people fleeing war for safety, or floods and fires. We have experienced humanitarian workers in our ranks, which enabled us to be among the first to respond after the earthquake in northwest Syria. We have our own rescue team and ambulance system, which allowed us to immediately get involved in rescue work, particularly in Harim in the Idlib Governorate and in Jandaris in the Aleppo Governorate.

Caritas Czech Republic was among the first partners to provide us with support. Thanks to the money raised by the Caritas for Turkey and Syria fundraising appeal, we are providing basic needs for people affected by the earthquake. From food parcels to hygiene items to warm winter clothing, which is much needed in the freezing weather.

Ever since the earthquake, there have been concerns that humanitarian aid would not reach the most affected people in Syria due to the difficult political situation. Yet Violet is providing assistance in north-west Syria. How do you manage to get aid to people in these regions despite the challenging conditions?

We work as a cross-border organisation and have been helping for a long time in north-west Syria, where there are about 4 million people, about 1.25 million of whom have been surviving in tents for more than a decade. Our organisation has full access to these people and is able to help them through 5 centres across this area. We coordinate our assistance with UN humanitarian coordination system and with other NGOs to avoid duplication of any efforts.

The earthquake in Turkey and Syria has affected millions of people. A large number of them are still in need of humanitarian assistance. Have the needs of the affected people changed in any way in the last two weeks?

People are still in urgent need of shelter and adequate sanitation. Food aid is mostly secured, but it is still very much needed. Moreover, most people in Syria have lost their livelihoods and source of income and need support in this regard. Therefore, in the next phase of our assistance, we plan to provide cash support to the people affected by the earthquake to decrease the pressure on local markets and enable people to meet their needs based on their own priorities.

Millions of people have lost everything, and it will take a very long time to rebuild the affected areas. Is it possible to say now how long the aid will be needed? Not just the immediate humanitarian aid, but also long-term development assistance?

Based on the initial estimations, it will take 3 years to rebuild the destroyed infrastructure after the earthquake. Of these, the first 18 months are crucial for rebuilding basic and essential infrastructure, repairing the damage caused and rebuilding houses. Support in the form of grants to local businesses and affected families should also be considered to help them rebuild their livelihoods and get back on their feet.

Thank you for the interview.