In solidarity with earthquake survivors
When two catastrophic earthquakes struck Syria and Turkey on 6 February 2023, over 50,000 people were killed and countless homes and buildings were destroyed.
At the time of the first earthquake, Abed, his wife Khadiya and five of their six children were at home in their small house in Aleppo, one of the poorest neighbourhoods in Syria. “We were all very scared. I was really confused, and I didn’t know what to do,” says Abed.
Khadiya with her daughter. Photo: JRS Syria
Their house – that had already been damaged in the war that’s been raging in Syria since 2011 – collapsed and trapped the family for several hours before they were able to escape.
Thanks to the generosity of kind donations to our Syria Earthquake Response Appeal, we helped enable our local partner Jesuit Refuge Service (JRS) Syria to be amongst the first on the ground to provide immediate help to earthquake survivors.
In vulnerable communities like Aleppo, around 15,500 survivors, including Abed’s family, received food, winter kits and psychosocial support. “We received some food that really helped us, but what I value the most is the way they [JRS Syria] approached us and cared for us, we received – and still receive – the emotional support we need,” says Abed.
Several months after the earthquakes, your support continues to ensure Syrian people are not forgotten. Your compassion in action is helping JRS Syria provide structured, long-term support including ongoing food relief, shelter, education for children and accompaniment to aid recovery.
Abed, Khadiya and their family have moved back into their home and are slowly repairing the widespread damage. Still coming to terms with the disaster, Khadiya receives support from the JRS psychosocial support team, including personal sessions for survivors.
“Thanks to the sessions, I’ve learnt how to respond and manage stress during and after these kinds of events, and I now feel stronger and more confident, but it’s not easy, it’s a long process,” says Khadiya.
Author: Jesuit Mission Australia