The federal government has decided on an accelerated visa procedure for Turkish citizens affected by the earthquake. But the process doesn’t work, says Berliner Ayten Doğan. She tries to get her cousin from Turkey to Germany. And fails because of the bureaucracy in both countries.
Ms Doğan, your family is originally from Turkey. How many of your loved ones are affected by the quake and its effects?
Most of my family now lives in Europe. Of those who are still in Turkey, it mainly affects relatives in the province of Kahramanmaraş, in Elbistan, the city where I was born and where I went to school before coming to Germany. My aunts, uncles and cousins live there.
Where are they now?
Some have stayed with their children in Istanbul, others in the family’s holiday homes. But many also live in makeshift tent camps or gymnasiums. No one can say for how long.