It was the night of February 5-6 2023 when a devastating earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale hit Turkey. The epicenter of this earthquake was Kahramanmaras in the south of Turkey near the northwestern border with Syria. After that, a large number of strong earthquakes and tremors followed.
Many of the buildings in the Syrian city of Aleppo have collapsed. To this day (7.2.2023) the number of dead people is estimated at more than 5,000 in both countries. The number is still rising because of many people who are still under the ruins of buildings. The whole situation is complicated by low temperatures and windy weather. An estimated 4.1 million people in northeastern Syria are at risk.
The Salesian center in Allepo suffered only several damages in the form of cracks and some broken windows. The Syrian Ministry of Health reports 42 deaths and more than 200 injured in this city. “The earthquake was so strong and for a long period,” explains Alejandro Leon, a provincial of Salesians in the Middle East, who was in Kafroun(western Syria) and traveled to Damascus that day.
Salesians and the people who they help are safe. As soon as the strong tremors began, some families left their homes and came to the Salesian center in the city of Aleppo, where they sought help and shelter. They were welcomed with good clothes, food, and emotional support. Since this morning more than 300 citizens have been accommodated in the center. Their houses were heavily damaged as a result of the 12-year-long war, they feel much safer in the center. After we heard what had happened we immediately contacted the Salesians in Syria with who we cooperated on the project Building the skills of vulnerable population groups for the Syrian labor market.
In the coming hours and days, Salesians and their center in the city of Allepo will become a temporary refuge for many people who cannot return home due to the devastating effects of the earthquake. Salesians of Don Bosco in Syria are also asking for prayers and financial help. Expenses related to the care of coming people will increase due to the fact that their aim is to help as many people as possible.
Support activities to help people affected by the earthquake in Syria:
- Donating directly to the account:
IBAN: SK5511000000002626853119
Variable symbol: 043045
SWIFT code: TATRSKBX
Syria
Organization Name: SAVIO, o.z.
Organization Address: Miletičova 7, 821 08 Bratislava, Slovak Republic
Bank: Tatra banka, a.s., Slovak Republic
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SAVIO o.z., NPP-12820573, DESIGNATION: Syria
Thank you, dear donors.
