Local assemblies key to Kobanê reconstruction

JINHA

AMED – Members of the Kobanê Reconstruction Committee say that the work has just begun in the reconstruction of the city. The committee has formed a range of local assemblies to organize its damage assessment process.

Since the liberation of the city of Kobanê and its surrounding area by YPG/YPJ fighters over recent months, members of the committee have been working on assessing the total destruction in many neighborhoods. Committee president Rodin Debo says they have been making an effort to work in close conversation with Kobanê residents returning to the city. The committee, which has been working with experts for the last three months, has formed 13 local assemblies to engage in damage assessment.

The picture is not good. Explosions and aerial bombardments have affected the city's wastewater disposal, drinking water and electrical production sources. "The infrastructural system has completely collapsed," said Rodin.

One of the most contentious issues that the committee has debated is the presence of unexploded munitions throughout the ruins of the city, where Kobanê children can be seen roaming and playing every day. Rodin says many civilians have died from munitions detonations. The presence of corpses in the ruins also presents health hazards to children.

According to Committee member Şevin Mahmud, another issue that has been discussed is the plan to turn many parts of Kobanê into an open-air museum to the resistance, building new homes for those whose residences fall within the bounds of the museum. The people of Kobanê will vote on the matter.

"The people living in Kobanê are leaning towards the idea," said Şevin.

(ekip/fk/cm)