Statement from AFAD regarding container cities in Hatay: Housing support will continue

The Hatay Provincial Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) has issued a statement regarding the process of closing some container cities in the province. The statement noted that claims suggesting citizens are being "forced out" do not reflect the truth.

AFAD reported that container support continues for citizens who are eligible beneficiaries whose permanent housing has not yet been delivered, or for those whose need for shelter has been determined to persist following assessments by Social Assistance and Solidarity Foundations.

The written statement recalled that temporary accommodation centers are operated with a holistic system covering security, health, cleaning, electricity, water, sewage, maintenance-repair, and administrative personnel support. It was stated that due to the significant decrease in the number of households remaining in some centers over time, maintaining services at the same scale is not possible in terms of the effective use of public resources.

It was conveyed that in the process carried out under the instruction of the AFAD Presidency, a phase of reducing the number of temporary accommodation centers with declining populations by consolidating them into centers with suitable capacity has been initiated. The statement emphasized that eligible beneficiaries awaiting the delivery of their homes and citizens in need have not been left without shelter, but have been transferred to the nearest container cities that are registered and have active infrastructure.

It was noted that priority in evacuations was given to citizens who have received their permanent housing, who have housing registered in their name, or who are economically capable of moving into rental housing, as well as to public officials who are not eligible beneficiaries.

The AFAD statement indicated that the state's fundamental approach is to maintain public services efficiently without victimizing any citizen in need and to provide the necessary support until citizens receive their permanent housing.

News Source: 12punto