One relief worker reports that survivors are suffering from a lack of food and water and that as optimism wanes, it “may also turn into rage.”
The security situation in Turkey is deteriorating, making it difficult for aid workers to assist families affected by the recent earthquake.
Monday’s 7.8 magnitude earthquake killed around 24,600 people in Turkey and another 3,500 in Syria and destroyed thousands of structures.
Those still buried under the rubble are losing hope, and those attempting to survive in frigid temperatures with decreasing food and medicine supplies are becoming increasingly frustrated.
On Saturday, two German relief organizations discontinued rescue operations, while Austrian army rescuers also ceased their activities, citing safety concerns.
International Search and Rescue (ISAR) of Germany informed Reuters via email, “There are rising allegations of conflicts between rival factions, and shots were reportedly fired.”
Steven Bayer, the operations manager for ISAR, stated that the location was becoming increasingly dangerous, as is normal in such situations.
In a speech at a camp for rescue workers in the city of Kirikhan, he stated, “This is partial because food and water are running short, causing people to search for food and drink.”
“A second factor is that people’s optimism is dwindling, and that hope can afterward transform into fury.”
ISAR and Germany’s Federal Agency for Technical Aid (THW) have stated that they will resume operations if the Turkish civil protection agency declares the area safe.
Stop several humanitarian organisations from rescuing.
Michael Bauer, a spokesman for the Austrian Ministry of Defense, reported that the Austrian Forces Disaster Relief Unit (AFDRU) has resumed operations after the Turkish army committed to protecting them.
Saturday, Lieutenant Colonel Pierre Kugelweis issued a statement describing “growing hostility between groups in Turkey.”
However, he noted that there had been no attacks on the Austrians, who were “very healthy” and in excellent spirits.
Switzerland stated that it is also constantly monitoring the security situation and has taken precautions to secure its 87 rescuers and eight canines in Hatay Province.
Saturday, the president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, stated that there has been some looting, but he declined to comment on claims of fighting.
Declaring a state of emergency, he noted, means that “from now on, anybody involved in looting or kidnapping should be aware that the state’s firm hand is on their backs.”
However, despite the obstacles, the rescuers are experiencing some success.
The 82 Austrian rescue workers saved nine people in Antakya, the historic capital of Hatay, while the 11 Swiss rescuers, including two infants, saved 11 people.
On Saturday alone, local and foreign rescuers rescued more than a dozen individuals, including a family in Kahramanmaras. A seven-year-old girl was rescued in Hatay, while a family of five was rescued near the Syrian border in Gaziantep.
