An international online donation campaign has been started for the reconstruction of Kobanê town in West Kurdistan, Rojava.

The project by FireFund, which is endorsed officially by the Kobanê Reconstruction Board, http://helpkobane.com , was developed after an extensive and comprehensive analysis of the most essential needs of the canton.

“We are not just resisting. We are also rebuilding a free society. Global solidarity makes an alternative, free, gender equal, ecological society possible.”, says the text of the campaign run on https://www.firefund.net where donations can be made by a credit card by clicking the ‘PLEDGE DONATION’ option on https://www.firefund.net/#payment-modal .

Following the analysis by international experts and the Reconstruction Board, it was found that the rebuilding of the canton was directly dependent on the immediate removal of the post war rubble and debris that litters the city.

A statement by the campaign officials said that many essential services and homes require immediate reconstruction, but due to the large degree of damage there are currently hundreds of thousands of tonnes of rubble, waste material and debris. This process requires urgent access to machinery and equipment which the canton needs to purchase or rent.

The donations will help essential and urgently needed construction machinery and equipment to clean up Kobanê and kick-start the rebuilding process.

Despite the severe destruction, thousands of civilians still remain within the city, many living in the destroyed buildings. The number of returning refugees to Kobanê also creates an urgent need for international support, aid, and materials required to begin immediate reconstruction.

The lack of reconstruction equipment reduces the capacity of Kobanê to implement its cleanup process and begin the reconstruction process in earnest. The following areas were identified as barriers:

- Construction materials.

- Construction equipment.

- Equipment to remove rubble and debris.

- Equipment for processing of rubble and debris.

Of these, the most urgent matter is the lack of appropriate equipment to remove the rubble and debris as the cleaning process is heavily machine intensive.

The current costs are unsustainable for a viable long term reconstruction process. The ownership of local equipment for a machine intensive reconstruction process will ensure that the canton controls the reconstruction process thereby promoting local ownership and autonomy.

The main objective of the project is therefore to allow Kobanê to purchase its own equipment and machinery and reduce its reliance on international aid and support.

To achieve the projected outcome, an increased capacity needs to be achieved.

This outcome is based on increased number of better equipment, machinery, and labour power capacity so that the rate of reconstruction is increased significantly.

If the goal of this campaign is reached, a number of new projects in the area of health, education, women, environment, water, electricity, children and youth can commence.

The campaign which aims to collect a donation of $ 130,000 within 30 days will continue with further projects if the specified goal is reached.

More info on the campaign can be reached on;

info@helpKobanê.com

https://www.firefund.net