Already struggling to overcome political, economic and health crises, Syrians are now faced with the catastrophic effects of a magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck southeast Türkiye* and northern Syria on February 6. The PCC prays for all those affected by the disaster.
The PCC’s partner, the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon (NESSL) , is responding to the disaster as best it can. NESSL General Secretary, the Rev. Joseph Kassab, said that there is an immediate and desperate need for emergency funds to cover the costs of blankets, mattresses, fuel for generators for heating, medical supplies, diapers and baby formula. In a message from a NESSL contact in Aleppo, the Rev. Ibrahim Nseir said that people had no warning and time to leave their homes. Many are in shock and don’t know what to do, given the extent of the disaster and living through such a traumatic event.
Presbyterian World Service & Development (PWS&D) is responding to the disaster quickly through partners at ACT Alliance. Members are on the ground and have started distributing warm food and canned goods to people affected by the disaster. Information on how to support response efforts is available here .
These photos are of: the GOPA-DERD team intervening (medical in-kind distribution), MHPSS rapid response for children and other activities in Syria as part of the humanitarian response to the devastating earthquake that struck Syria and Turkey on Feb. 6, 2023. PHOTO CREDIT: GOPA-DERD
For more information on the earthquake and updates from our partners working in Syria, see the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) website and view a video in which Safir Salim, a member of the MECC relief team in Aleppo, describes the first moments after the earthquake when they took refuge in the Salesian Church, hoping that it would provide shelter for them.
*Why Türkiye and not Turkey? The country has requested that it be known as Türkiye and not Turkey. We operate on the principle that we identify people and countries by the names they have requested.