In Kahramanmaraş, the epicenter of the earthquakes that took place on February 6, the Ministry of Interior created a “Street of Hope” out of containers for cancer patients and their families.
In the container city of Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University (KSU) Avşar Campus, there are social spaces such as hobby garden, courses and children's playgrounds on the street created for 21 cancer patients and their families.
All the needs of the earthquake victims are met under the coordination of AFAD, while the containers contain equipment such as hot water, kitchen, bathroom and toilet.
Sakarya Governor Çetin Oktay Kaldirim, who served as the coordinating governor in Kahramanmaraş, stated that the needs of today differed from the needs at the first moment after the earthquake, and that special studies were carried out that needed to be more sensitive.
Stating that services and works are carried out to cover all segments of the society and all earthquake victims, Kaldirim said, “The street we live in is one of them. We called it Hope Street, a street where we place our patients with leukemia, cancer and those who require special treatment.” he said.
Number of Containers Will Increase to 45
Stating that the number of containers on Umut Street will be increased, Mr. Lift said:
“First, we placed 21 families in 21 containers, and then there was a need, we are making 24 more. It was a beautiful project where we hosted 45 families in 45 containers on two streets. We asked his name to the families, 'We have hope.' They said, and that's why we named him with inspiration from the families here. We settled families and met all their needs from television to dishwasher. We welcomed the soup kitchen, masjid and social activity areas. We also created activity areas for children. We have established sewing and embroidery workshops, we are making a hobby garden for each of our families.”
Mr. Sidewalk, thanks to the contributions of the families, especially President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and our Minister, Mr. Stating that he thanked those who contributed, especially Süleyman Soylu, he explained that the street is a beautiful work that shows the warm face of the state, its compassionate and merciful side, that it embraces and reaches every segment, and that it touches their hearts.
Patients Thank the Authorities
Mürsel Küçük, 40, a patient with leukemia, said that he was caught in the earthquake while he was being treated in a hospital in Gaziantep.
Stating that the diagnosis of the disease was made about 1,5 years ago and that he had a bone marrow transplant about 3 months ago, Küçük thanked the authorities who created Umut Street for them.
Sema Köstü, 42, the mother of three children whose houses were damaged in the earthquake, stated that she learned that she had cancer last year and that she started receiving chemotherapy treatment after her surgery.
Saying that Hope Street is a hope for them, Köstü said, “May my Lord not let our state collapse and let it not cause such a disaster to our country again. May God be pleased with everyone who contributed to the construction of the street.” said.