Heal the Wounds in Turkiye

After the devastating earthquake, employment and sheltering problems for the families living in the earthquake zones continue. Association for Solidarity with Asylum Seekers and Migrants (ASAM) set off the areas where earthquake victims can meet their basic needs in the earthquake provinces.

Earthquake survivor Nermin, a 42-year-old mother of 3 children, applied for the ASAM’s employment projects and she is able to improve her family’s living condition now.

Nermin, who was a cook before the earthquake, suffered from worklessness due to the devastation caused by the earthquake. She says ‘I was having a hard time.  ASAM came to me at my most tough moment. I couldn’t believe it was true! Nermin finds it very valuable to be able to work at a job after the earthquake.

Nermin states that she is very happy to have a home to return and a job to go to. She says ‘There are small gifts that I bring to my children and when I see the excitement in their eyes, I renew my hope once again, I believe that everything will be okay.’.

Nermin, who lives in an area where the destruction is very heavy, adds, "There are people who lost their homes, families and everything, and more employment is needed here."

Nermin says “Sometimes we do not have vegetables to eat. Our friends invite us to their garden. We collect food from there and cook our food, and I share whatever is leftover at my house with them. If my neighbor goes to bed hungry, what does it mean if I go to bed full? We women are very strong. "When we come together, we can overcome everything," she says, expressing how empowered women are with their solidarity.

(Note: The real name of the beneficiary has been changed.)