20/02/2023

Syriac organizations continue to provide assistance to people affected by earthquake in Turkey and Syria

TURKEY / SYRIA — Recovery and assistance efforts continue in the wake of the powerful earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria on 6 February 2023, causing significant damage and loss of life in both countries.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the quake had a magnitude of 7.8 and was centered near the city of Gaziantep in southeastern Turkey, close to the border with Syria. The earthquake was felt as far away as Cyprus and Lebanon, and triggered aftershocks that added to the devastation. The current death toll in both countries has surpassed 46,000.

Syriac relief organizations continue to distribute humanitarian aid to the affected people in Turkey and Syria.

The Syriac Cross for Relief and Development in Switzerland and the Netherlands, in cooperation with the international organization of Shai Fund confirmed that winter kits, food parcels, and hygiene kits are now being distributed to the earthquake victims in Iskenderun and Arsuz in Turkey.

During the past week, Syriac organizations have distributed thousands of blankets and hundreds of food parcels and coats to children and adults in communities affected by the earthquake, in addition to drinking water, sterilization supplies and other necessities.