Syria – Türkiye Earthquake Response

A 7.8-magnitude earthquake has caused devastation in southeast Türkiye and northern Syria. Multiple aftershocks and a second earthquake have only made the situation worse. Over 40,000 have been killed and many more are missing or injured.

“People are staying out of their homes,” reports Samer Laham of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), a member of ACT Alliance. “They are afraid of aftershocks destroying the builds that are still standing.”

Sara Savva of The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and all of the East- Department of Ecumenical Relations and Development, another member of ACT, shares, “Lots of builds have not yet collapsed, but they are not stable. Families are sleeping in the streets, in cars if they have them, with friends and family, or in shelters.”

Pray with us for all of those affected.

The Syrian population was already deeply impacted by the ongoing war and the economic collapse of the country and now, many people must deal with being displaced, losing their livelihood and surviving the harsh winter conditions.

PWS&D is responding through our partners at ACT Alliance. MECC has offered 232 sites as shelters in Aleppo since the quake, including church halls, mosques, schools and municipal halls. MECC is providing mattresses and blankets, as well as hot meals, to affected families, and is working to secure additional supplies to meet the needs.

“The key need currently is food baskets,” reports Ghassan Chahine of MECC. “We need canned and pre-made food, as people cannot cook at the moment.” While there is a lack of availability of some key items in Aleppo, MECC is sourcing goods from Damascus.

To support the response, click the button below, call 1-800-619-7301, mail a cheque to the office or give through your congregation. Indicate your donation is for “Syria-Türkiye Earthquake.”