By XHABIR DERALLA
Not to help a person in misfortune is an expression of inhumanity. If it’s done from a position of power, not initiating mechanisms of authority given by the citizens, then it’s both inhumanity and abuse.
The Mayor of the City of Skopje hastily dismisses people from positions in city institutions, but only when it concerns her personal interests. Nothing more.
The President of the Council of the capital city takes away or gives the microphone only when it’s in accordance with the interests of his party.
But the city of solidarity, following the apocalyptic earthquake in Turkiye and Syria, remains deaf. I’m reading that some of the council groups had immediately requested an urgent session and had even prepared a draft decision for assistance for the victims of the earthquake, with a specific proposal for financial aid in the amount of 100,000 euros to be immediately granted. But those in whose hands are the levers of power and administrative decisions – are silent. Insensitivity? There is no other word for it, and for it not to be the mildest.
I’m reading in my colleague’s report that already in the morning after the earthquake, the Editorial Office had sent a question to the Mayor, about whether the capital city would send a humanitarian response and what it would consist of. The question reads as follows: “Is the City of Skopje undertaking any activities or initiatives to help the Turkish people and Turkey?”. The question is important, and is not difficult. But has remained without an answer.
At the staff meeting, on February 6, we spoke about all the things the City could do, except to send monetary aid. Rescue teams, medical personnel, materials, medicines, points for collecting aid from people in solidarity… Countless things can be done the same day. And save human lives. To ease the suffering of those who have survived the disaster. You offer an enemy help in such misfortune, let alone a friendly country!
President Zelensky, leader of a country in a bloody war for freeing itself from the Russian aggressor, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kuleba, found the time, strength and capacities to offer help to Turkiye from Ukraine. Are Danela’s and her structure’s (party) fingers and mouth so stuck from the honey they are sunk in that nothing else in the world interests them? The question is rhetorical.
It’s not from Danela’s and her party’s pocket! It’s not from their “honey”! But on behalf of all the citizens, residence of Skopje, which was built precisely from humanitarian aid after the earthquake in 1963. I’m reading they were left without an answer. I’m not surprised. The number of unanswered questions from that structure is in three digits, in the past five years alone.
This is not good for Skopje and for the people of Skopje. It’s bad. It’s disgraceful.
Translation: N. Cvetkovska
