Rûm and Syriac Christians built houses for earthquake-affected families in Samandağ

SAMANDAĞ / HATAY, Turkey – The impact and aftermath of the two devastating earthquakes that struck Turkish and Syrian territories on February 6, 2023, remain deeply felt to this day—especially in the Hatay region of Turkey, where entire cities were destroyed, thousands of people lost their lives, and tens of thousands more were displaced, losing their families, homes, futures, and livelihoods. 

The city of Samandağ in Hatay was no exception to the devastation and violent tremors, suffering massive losses. Most affected families have managed to return to their homes after repairs or have settled in shelters of acceptable living conditions. However, eight severely affected families were still living in tents or temporary shelters. 

Syriac (Chaldean–Assyrian–Aramean) relief institutions and organizations—incl. The Shlomo Organization, Syriac Cross for Relief and Development— and the Central Council of Oriental Christians in Germany (Zentralrat Orientalische Christen Deutschland, ZOCD)—have spared no effort, from the moment the earthquake struck until today, to rescue and support the affected Christian families in Samandağ. These efforts included launching fundraising campaigns across different countries, providing food, clothing, medical care, and emergency shelters. 

The latest of these campaigns was organized on May 11, 2025, at the hall of the Syriac Orthodox Church of St. Ephrem and St. Theodoros in Giessen, Germany. It was coordinated by the European Syriac Union (ESU), the Syriac Union of Germany, the Association for the Reconstruction of the Christian East, the ZOCD, the Greek (Rûm) Orthodox Church in Hatay, the Greek (Rûm) Orthodox Church of St. John the Baptist in Stuttgart, and the Greek (Rûm) Orthodox Church of St. George in Berlin. This latest campaign culminated in the launch of a sustainable project to construct ready-to-move-in houses for the last families who lost everything. Eight houses have now been built, and the eight most severely affected families have moved into them. 

Ferit Johannes Tekbas, President of the ZOCD, stated, “A home represents far more than just shelter — it embodies a sense of dignity, safety, and an opportunity to start a new life.” He added, “It is deeply moving to witness how genuine hope has grown out of donations and solidarity.”