Turkey’s ‘Roma ‘groups have felt the earthquake’s impact more than others

Romani, Abdal and Domari communities have had a harder time accessing aid and support post-quake.

Istanbul, Turkey – The earthquakes that struck southern Turkey a year ago left millions facing the loss of loved ones, homes and jobs. But none were struck harder than those already on society’s bottom rung – Turkey’s Romani, Abdal and Domari communities.

Although not recognised as minorities in Turkey, these groups, which migrated from northern India over the last millennium, are estimated to number up to five million people who live in poverty, social exclusion and discrimination.

In the aftermath of the magnitude 7.8 earthquake – and the second, nearly as strong, that followed moments later – that hit in the early hours of February 6, killing more than 50,000 in Turkey and 8,000 in north Syria, Romani, Abdal and Domari families found themselves struggling more than others to access aid and support.

“Since the first days of the earthquake, Roma have experienced serious problems in accessing aid, clean water and shelter,” Serkan Baysak, co-founder of the Romani Godi civil society group, said. “The biggest [reasons] are prejudices and accusations against Roma.”

While “Roma” is used as a blanket term for those who left India at various times, there are three distinct groups in southern Turkey – the Romani, linked to those who passed into Europe; the Domari, who left India at a different time and did not reach Europe; and the Abdal, who solely identify as Turkish but still face discrimination as “Roma”.