After a devastating earthquake upended the lives of thousands of people in Turkey and Syria, many have expressed uncertainty about what’s next for them.
In the city of Gaziantep, in the southeast of Turkey, many people — whose homes were destroyed or severely damaged – have found refuge at a camp located in a public park in the city center.
Here are some of their stories:
Sinan Demir, a 45-year-old blacksmith from Gaziantep, said his neighborhood was destroyed after the 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the region. He had to go to a basketball club for shelter for three days before he came to the park. Demir is married and has four children. His elderly father lives with them.
He said he does not know when he will leave the camp because his house needs repair, and he called on the Turkish government to expedite the repair of damaged homes.
Mustafa Oso, a 35-year-old Syrian, came to Turkey several years ago and lives in Gaziantep. Before the earthquake, he lived with his family and brothers, but when the second quake took place on Tuesday, the building next to their home was demolished and his house became uninhabitable.
Oso said he wants to eventually move to Europe.
Mehmat Aslan, 81, lives alone after his wife died and his children traveled to Germany. The earthquake destroyed his home, and he is now staying in a cafeteria.
