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The Picture of Catalca is Desperate 14/09/2009

Dere(River) Street in Çatalca is one of the places that was most influenced by the flood in September. However, habitants complain officials since they did not receive their expected supervision after flood.

Flood severely influenced Dere Street in center of Çatalca. All houses which belong to Roma people and had been located in the water course not only became the victims of the flood, but also were smeared with mud. All roads and streets were severely broken into pieces and all cars turned upside down. Of course the habitants were in a desperate situation.

Flood took over at night!

The state of Dere Street shows us the severe consequences of flood. The street had its name “Dere(River)” since there is a big river under this street. It was also one of the places which was influenced by flood most because of the same reason. Approximately 100 houses which Roma live in were builded in the river course.

Gülizar Eker is someone who was influenced by the flood, too. Eker said “ It caught us while we were sleeping. We waked up because of the noise of water. We escaped to the upwards but we did not rescue anything from the flood. Now we don’t have any cloth or shelter. We are waiting for help.”

Furniture designer, Hasan Filiz, argued that these people weren’t paid attention since they are Roma. Filiz said “ Politicians come here only before the elections each 5 years and promise us to give land registration. There should be an opportunity for us to live in a better place. They do not pay attention to us because of our race.

Roma were placed in a school in provinces, yet they think desperately about this temporary solution.

3 people are still lost!

According to volunteer people from this web site who joined to the rescue teams, Roma are trying to help desperate people in Çatalca though their own rescue and help teams. However, these supervisions remain inadequate because of the limited resources and equipments. Habitants pointed out that they made what they can do and it is still necessary to have help from the government.

Although the teams are searching for them, two children in seven and nine ages and an old woman are still lost and unfortunately officials said that it is nearly impossible to have a good outcome. Dere Street and its habitants live in pessimism and worry.

We people, as “çingeneyiz.org” team, strongly hope that responsible officials would give pay attention to these people and build new alternative houses for Roma as soon as possible.