Earthquake: Interview with Turkish Deaf people
Renca Dunn, Daily Moth Reporter: As we know a few days ago, two earthquakes of magnitude 7.8 and 7.5 hit Turkiye and Syria, just 9 hours apart, causing over 20,000 deaths so far. The number of deaths is still rising. We were wondering how deaf people were affected by the earthquake. We were connected with three deaf people who live in Istanbul (about 12 hours away from the impacted area). They will be able to explain to us what is going on since there is no electricity, power, or connection in the impacted areas right now.
Before going into the interview, we want to let you know that our interviews with the deaf people from Turkiye are in International Sign. The first two we interviewed are deaf siblings, Demet and Nevzat.
Nevzat: Growing up here in Turkiye, I never experienced this big earthquake before and I was scared. Back in 1999, there was an earthquake- 7.2, it was not that bad. Now, this recent earthquake was a big one- 7.8. I just feel, I mean, even the world saw this big earthquake for the first time. My heart breaks for the deaf people who are trapped under the rubbles. I'm actually afraid for everyone in Turkiye and even people in this world are wondering how to contact deaf people under the rubble.
Demet: My best friend lives in the area where the earthquake hit. Her family also was impacted. I thought perhaps just a little rubble from the buildings, but no. It is like 80% of everything destroyed and 20% with minor damage. I thought it was not as bad, but my best friend said no. There are deaf people who have been buried by the rubbles. A lot of help has come like people from the hospital, people coming by helicopter, etc. It’s hard. I mean everyone is yelling to see who is buried under the rubble and yells back so they can help rescue, but what about deaf people? It’s a big problem. Deaf people cannot hear to yell back. Another problem is the internet, mobile phones, everything is not working. It is impossible. Even no electricity, internet, etc. Just nothing. People in Istanbul are shocked about this too. Everyone else in Turkiye is shocked too and they are trying to connect with the people who were impacted. Nothing is working in that area now. For the first day, no help came then on the second day, finally, help came. The reason why the first day no help came is because of the damaged roads. The earthquake caused the roads to be messed up and I could not drive on those roads. So, it was impossible for help to come with the damaged roads. Even the airport strip was damaged. Now, people from different parts of the world are helping Turkiye. Hospitals, various people, etc all are helping now. I am thankful, but it is hard.
Nevzat: Really, it is hard to contact deaf people who might have been buried under the rubble. With hearing people, it is easy for them. They just yell out, like, “mom, are you there?” And suppose their mother is lying under the rubble and can hear the voice and yell back to be rescued.” What about deaf people? Imagine that. They’re waving from beneath, but who will hear them? Then when we wait too long, they’re dead already. From what I know, about 8 deaf people have died so far.
Demet: Actually 14.
Nevzat: Ah 14.
Demet: Yes, 14. You see (signing in Turkish Sign Language)
Nevzat: Okay, so with the specific region impacted, 14 deaf people have been pronounced dead. We will see, the numbers might increase later. You see, because the internet is down, how do deaf people communicate with WhatsApp or even Instagram? We have to rely on word of mouth through friends who know that deaf people live in their homes. We have to rely on friends who know their addresses and can point out to other people where deaf people are. Then the people can find deaf people under the rubble. Some were found and still alive, very lucky. However, some were not rescued in time and they died. Also, the building that belongs to the deaf association in the area has collapsed. Demet- what is the name of that association?
Demet: Adiyaman.
Nevzat: Yes, that. Adiyaman. That is the name of the deaf association who is part of the deaf sports association, that building has collapsed.
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Renca: The next person’s name is Onur. He is a former deaf athlete and is currently a teacher.
Onur: Remember, there is a communication barrier for deaf people. How can they be rescued? Some of my deaf friends are volunteering to help in the impacted areas. Some of them got on a bus to travel to the area to help deaf people who were affected, find their names, etc. You know deaf friends within the deaf community are small. So, we use our networking to find deaf people in various affected areas like Gaziantep, Hatay, and the surrounding areas, etc. So, my friends are helping them.
Renca: I am wondering about this, since you said communication is an issue there with deaf people and the aftermath of the earthquake, it is easier for hearing people to communicate. They can find other hearing people under rubble by using voices. Now, how is that possible for deaf people?
Onur: Yes. I just saw on TV, the rescuers are using their voices to yell for the survivors to yell back so they can know where they are. Now, with deaf people, there should be a whistle or something for them to have. Now, everything is in a frenzy. Deaf people who might still be buried now do not know what to do. It is a problem. It is hard. So, I think next time, when this happens again, everyone should have whistles. They should have whistles inside of their homes like 4 or 5 of them. But yeah, it is hard and it is a problem for deaf people. My heart grieves. Every day I check my Instagram and I see deaf friends helping by sharing networking and finding deaf people’s names in the affected areas. So, I am happy to see some deaf people rescued through networking. But, not all of them because sometimes we do not know if there is a deaf person living in that specific home depending on where they live. However, deaf people here are trying their best to help rescue as many deaf people as possible.
Renca: We want to thank the three deaf people from Turkiye for their time. Demet mentioned to us that Turkiye plans on setting up a camp for the survivors of the earthquake, and the plan is to separate two camps, one for hearing people and one for deaf people. The reason for this is that since deaf people have different communication needs, it will be easier for the volunteers to provide those needs directly when they are at a camp full of deaf survivors.