Global Rally for the freedom and reconstruction of Kobane

many_rally_in_rome_in_solidarity_with_kurdish_city_of_kobane_crop1446327675978.jpg_1718483346Thank you to everyone who took part in the Global Rally for Kobane on 1st November – now World Kobane Day. It is the second year in a row that thousands of people in dozens of countries have raised their voices for Kobane, which still suffers the consequences of a brutal 6 month ISIS siege which caught the conscience of many across the world. This time, over 400 separate actions took place in over 25 countries as far apart as India and Brazil, Denmark and Australia, Venezuela and Afghanistan, all calling for people and governments to support the reconstruction of Kobane and the lifting of the blockade. Demonstrations also took place in Rojava. Once again, it was a remarkable demonstration of solidarity and the spirit of internationalism. We send our thanks and solidarity to all those who took part and hope that collective efforts will lead to freedom and a new future for Kobane – and Rojava.

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Damages to Kobane and plans for its reconstruction

The Kobane Authorities have released two documents that detail the damages suffered by the city and the plans for its reconstruction. The first, by the Kobane Administration, provides a detailed list of infrastructure damage and the what is needed in terms of water, healthcare, energy services, agricultural production, transport and more. The second, by the Kobane Reconstruction Board, summarises ecological and social principles that will underlie the rebuilding of the city, and makes suggestions of the kind of architecture and spatial design that could be implemented in the city’s reconstruction.

Download the documents below.

Kobane Canton Damage Report- April 2015 –  Democratic Self-Management, Kobane Canton – Syria (pdf)

Report for the Ecological and Democratic Reconstruction of Kobanê– Kobane Reconstruction Platform (pdf)

REPORT ON URGENT AND ESSENTIAL NEEDS IN KOBANÊ

A new board has been established to oversee the reconstruction of Kobane, which has been left devastated after 6 months of siege. Currently 25,000 people are living or have just moved back into Kobane and many more are waiting their chance to return home, but an absence of basic food and water supplies and the physical destruction of the city’s infrastructure makes the situation extremely precarious. In addition, ISIS left land mines and explosive materials behind as they fled Kobane and the surrounding villages, even placing them inside kitchens and bedrooms of abandoned homes.

The Kobane Reconstruction Board has written a report, available for download, which provides an overview of the damage and lists the urgent needs facing the region.

You can download the report here: Report on the urgent and essential needs in Kobane, February 2015

Establishing Kobane Reconstruction Board

A massive effort is now underway to rebuild the city of Kobane. The Democratic Self-Administration has established a board that will coordinate reconstruction and they have set up an official website so people can follow the rebuilding efforts, find out about what is needed and how they can help:

TO THE PRESS AND PUBLIC: ESTABLISHING KOBANE RECONSTRUCTION BOARD

Kobane Canton has been an under severe blockade for nearly two years, and ongoing, fierce brutal attacks by terrorist organization Daesh (ISIS) creating a real humanitarian catastrophe in the province and the countryside.

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The current attacks continue for more than four months aim to empty the province of its population under pressure, threats, execution and indiscriminately shelling civilians. Such atrocities aim at displacing native residents and changing the demographic so that the region will lose all its diversity.

The ongoing besiege and attacks disrupted in all aspects of life, leaving destruction and devastation almost complete infrastructure. Besides, looting and vandalism in the city center and villages carried out by Daesh have impacted the situation very negatively.

The Executive Council in Kobane Canton – Syria, formed a special committee which will be responsible of coordinating reconstruction efforts. “Kobane Reconstruction Committee” is composed of individuals who are professionals in this field. In addition to preparing studies and planning, this committee will also connect with organizations willing to support our efforts in any way they can and providing funds to our projects in the city and countryside.

In addition to the committee members in Kobane, we will also appoint representatives in Europe USA, Turkey, Iraqi Kurdistan, the Gulf States and other countries of the world.

Our rebuilding efforts, willingness to bring back the life into our city requires concentrated efforts and possibilities harnessed in the service of the successful reconstruction operations. Whether through effective participation or provide the Board with suggestions and opinions that will activate it. The most obliged people are the technical and academic who are expert in this field.

Therefore, we need urgent help and support from the international community, humanitarian organizations and all freedom and democracy lovers to rebuild out city.

We appeal to the United Nations to do its humanitarian and moral obligations towards these affected geography and people of Kobane, and actively take part in reconstruction of the province. First and foremost step will be opening a humanitarian corridor to facilitate all means of saving people from suffering, displacement, hunger and shelter for the returnees.

You can contact the Board via the following:

Official site: www.helpkobane.wordpress.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ava_kobane

Email: ava.kobane@gmail.com

Tel: +90-537-967-1739 or 90-545-301-8603

Bank account: To Be Announced Soon

The Executive Council of Kobane Canton – Syria

30/1/2015