Overcoming the Fear of Future with Solidarity

Date: 2023-11-20

In the face of earthquakes, Welthungerhilfe (WHH) support affected communities and women through the project funded by EU Humanitarian Aid. Eslem, who was forced to leave her home a decade ago due to a human-made disaster and is now confronted with natural disasters.

© WHH, Mardin, Turkiye October 2023

Powerful earthquake struck, causing chaos. Eslem and her family's house shook, and things inside were thrown all over the place. The mother tried to wake her kids but was tossed around by the shaking. Outside, people were scared, and buildings were collapsing.

Eslem faced a difficult choice. She didn't know which of her four kids to save first and she was filled with fear for each of them. Finally, they managed to get out, but everything behind them was destroyed. Eslem and her children had nothing but the clothes on their backs.

"Mummy, let's go home. It's starting to rain, and I'm very cold," her children cried in fear.

"The sound of their cries still echoes in my ears."

Eslem had to find a safe place for her and her kids. She decided to go to Mardin, the nearest province known for safety, even though she didn't have a house or relatives there. She reached out to the community in Mardin for support, and they provided her with the phone number of WHH. The Welthungerhilfe team found a safe place for them and provided the basic necessities they needed. Her kids enrolled in school and received psychological support.

"We survived the earthquake, and a wave of relief allowed us to restore a sense of order in our lives."

Now, Eslem and her kids have a secure place to live, and the children attend school regularly. However, they sometimes miss their friends and their old school. The earthquake and the move to a new place still affect her son at times.

Thanks to financial support from EU Humanitarian Aid, WHH was able to assist Eslem and empower her to plan for her and her children's future. She is now determined to find a good job and opportunities for her kids to learn. They found strength, courage, and hope through the support they received.