Rescue delay sparks riot among earthquake-affected population

More than 48 hours after the devastating earthquakes that killed more than 11,500 people and devastated much of southern Turkey and northwestern Syria, this woman still hasn’t seen a single rescue team. Like her, many thousands of survivors complain about the delay and lack of coordination in helping the victims and supporting the displaced, who have been sleeping in cars or on the streets since Monday.

Complaints come from all over the affected area. In Iskenderun, a woman whose family members are trapped under rubble complains that help has arrived too late. “Yesterday we still heard screams in the rubble. Why didn’t they come earlier? We could have saved them if they had arrived earlier,” he shouted to the rescuers, who searched in vain for survivors.

President Tayyip Erdogan, who visited the hardest-hit areas this Wednesday, acknowledged the difficulties with the initial response but assured that the problems had been overcome and aid was on the way.

details
material shortage
The lack of rescue materials, including heavy equipment to remove debris, complicates rescue operations in many places. Lack of fuel is another problem.

Lack of an army
One of the criticisms of the Turkish government is related to the delay in the intervention of the army, in contrast to what happened during previous humanitarian crises. Erdogan says “no country is ready” for a tragedy of this magnitude.

Syria calls for help
On Wednesday, the Syrian government asked for help from the European Union through the Civil Protection Mechanism. More than 2,000 people died and 300,000 were left homeless in the country as a result of the earthquake, according to a preliminary balance sheet.