A series of powerful earthquakes have caused widespread damage across southern Turkey and northern Syria this week. Many buildings and homes have collapsed and thousands of people have died or have been injured. As the death toll continues to rise, Tearfund's partner, the Syrian Orthodox Church, have opened three shelters for people who have lost their homes to the earthquake. The church in Aleppo is providing warmth, shelter, hot meals, water and other essential items such as baby milk, hygiene kits, blankets and warm clothing. So far, the church is supporting around 1,000 people.
Tearfund's Regional Lead for the Middle East, Martin Leach, said:
“The needs of those affected by the earthquake are for shelter, warmth, clothes, food, health and in the longer term rebuilding. Tearfund partner, the Syrian Orthodox Church in Aleppo have opened their doors so that people who have lost their homes can come and have somewhere to be safe, be warm and get a hot meal and something to drink.
“In Aleppo, hospitals and medical centres that had been destroyed during the war haven’t been rebuilt yet. People were already extremely vulnerable so this earthquake is a crisis on top of a crisis. It is yet another layer of devastation that adds to the poverty and vulnerability experienced by ordinary Syrians.”
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