Salesian Testimony on Syrian Earthquake
(ANS – Aleppo, Syria – February 7, 2023) – As the death toll and damage caused by the terrible earthquake that struck Syria and Turkey on Monday worsens, there are numerous testimonies from those who, like the Salesians, are already on the front lines providing necessary aid.
A detailed account
of what is happening during these hours comes from the Middle East Province’s communications
delegate, Fr. Pier Jabloyan. “The earthquake lasted a very long time, almost a
minute,” he explains. “In Syria, the most serious consequences have mainly
affected the city of Aleppo. From the information reaching us, we have learned
that hundreds of buildings have collapsed and the number of dead continues to
rise steadily.”
Also growing is the
number of injured and missing people still under the rubble. The population is
desperate and terrified that new, strong aftershocks may occur. Many, then,
have had to leave their homes, made unsafe by the cracks and heavy damage
caused by the earthquake. In Aleppo hundreds and hundreds of people have
nowhere to go and nowhere to sleep.
“In this dramatic
situation, we Salesians have opened our doors,” continues Fr. Jabloyan. “We
have promptly taken in all those in need. Already more than 300 people have
been welcomed and helped by the Salesians, collaborators, and the entire
Salesian Family in Aleppo. We are trying to do what we can, despite the
challenges and difficulties. This, in Syria, is a particularly cold time, and
the winter is harsh. It is snowing, and there’s a lack of power and of fuel.
The population is really having a difficult time.”
Syria, it should be remembered, is exhausted by a long and fierce war, and this devastating earthquake is adding to an already extremely precarious situation. For many, in fact, the earthquake has extinguished what little hope remained. “We hope that the Lord, with the help of so many people of goodwill, can lift the weight of so much destruction and so much poverty that has been in Syria for years now,” Fr. Jabloyan concludes.
The Salesians are
ready to mobilize in any way they can to support the many people hard hit by
the earthquake as best they can, with basic necessities.
In the meantime, it
is already possible to make a bank transfer or deposit to make your
contribution to helping the Salesians in Syria. The coordinates are available
in the attached pdf.
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