A new earthquake tremor, a fresh start
Salesian house in Aleppo is struggling
(ANS – Aleppo, Syria – February 21, 2023) – Last night, two weeks after the 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck southern Turkey and northern Syria, killing more than 47,000 people, another powerful quake of 6.4-magnitude again triggered panic in the areas already affected by that first tragedy. Thousands of people again took to the streets and sought a safe place to take refuge.
More than 750 people came to the Don Bosco house in Aleppo to
spend the night there. Salesians do not close their doors in front of anyone,
but helping so many in need under those conditions is a real challenge.
The new quake also occurred in Turkey, around 7:00 p.m. local
time, in the Antioch area, with the epicenter in Hatay. So far, there are 6
more deaths and about 700 injured, people caught in the buildings that were
already unsafe or crushed in the ensuing panic. “In Aleppo, where there is a
Salesian presence, we felt the earthquake very strongly. All the people took to
the streets with so many nightmares still in their heads and so much fear,”
says Fr. Pier Jabloyan, communications delegate of the Salesian Middle East Province.
The Salesian community has again done what it is used to doing in any circumstance of need for the past 12 years, whether due to war or cataclysms: it has taken in displaced and needy people. But “the difficulty is that the Salesian house is overloaded now with people; we have difficulty getting mattresses, blankets, food, etc. We were not prepared for so many people; we were only equipped for 400,” Fr. Jabloyan continues.
That it is not just a matter of numbers is also explained by Fr.
Alejandro Leon, provincial. “When the first earthquake happened, the one in the
early morning hours of February 6, the families were together and sleeping, but
with this aftershock, the fear and uncertainty were compounded by not knowing
where the children, parents, or the rest of the family were.”
“In this phase, the psychological drama and great fear that we
see in the eyes of our children, youths, and their families is felt even more
strongly,” agrees Fr. Jabloyan.
The Don Bosco house in Aleppo, which from the first moment had opened its doors to
accommodate more than 500 people, giving them everything they needed to cope
with the first emergency, was beginning a new phase of trying to help the
affected people overcome the trauma and also to begin, thru the aid received,
to repair the damage to their homes. “With this new powerful quake, it was like
having to start all over again,” says Fr. Leon.
“We ask for your prayers. We hope the next few days will be
calmer,” concludes Fr. Jabloyan.
Fr. Leon, highlights “the concrete solidarity of the people we serve. Amid pain, panic and uncertainty, everyone wants to help those who are worse off, everyone asks what they can do, they have incredible patience and faith, and many recognize that they come to Don Bosco because they feel safer in church.”
Salesian Missions of New Rochelle is accepting aid donations: 2023 Turkey and Syria Earthquake - Salesian Missions
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