Heal the Wounds in Turkiye

At the age of 56, an earthquake survivor Leyla was affected by the earthquake on February 6th and currently residing in a container city in Kahramanmaras. During the regular psychosocial support sessions held in the container city, Leyla met with the Association for Social Development and Aid Mobilization(ASAM) team. Her sister was diagnosed with leukemia. Furthermore, Leyla's sister also suffers from hypertension, diabetes, and kidney failure. Currently, Leyla's sister has access to treatment and medication. Leyla transports her sister to Gaziantep for weekly health check-ups.

Leyla expressed that she felt helpless due to her sister's condition in the past. She couldn't find support anywhere, couldn't work because she was the caregiver for her sister, and struggled to meet her sister's needs. Leyla shares that these days she feels sadness, distress, shame, and guilt. Previously unable to meet the basic needs of hygiene and food required for her sister's immunity, Leyla struggled with anxiety and guilt for not being able to provide adequate support.

In addition to participating in psychosocial support sessions organized by ASAM, Leyla also engages in individual psychological consultations. During these sessions, a plan was developed to strengthen Leyla's well-being, and she received psychological first-aid support. Leyla was provided with a home kit, a women's hygiene kit, and a grocery card to support her access to hygiene and basic necessities. Leyla stated that she was happier, that she felt noticed by ASAM, and she could now meet her basic needs such as food and hygiene, and as a result, her anxiety decreased.

“I no longer have to think about what my sister will have for breakfast tomorrow. I felt very relieved psychologically and my anxiety decreased. For the first time, "I felt that there is hope.".

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