Responding to the earthquakes in Syria
In February 2023, multiple earthquakes and aftershocks hit Turkey and Syria,
killing, injuring, and displacing thousands of people in the middle of a winter storm.
The earthquakes came on top of a cholera outbreak and a severe
economic and humanitarian crisis caused by nearly 12 years of devastating war.
For three months after the earthquakes struck, we have helped our Syrian partner churches
provide urgent food, hygiene, and winter assistance
to around 9,400 displaced and crisis-affected households.
Thanks to generous support , we were able to continue helping more than 10,000 families over two years with food baskets, hygiene kits, and winter assistance.
provide urgent food, hygiene, and winter assistance
to around 9,400 displaced and crisis-affected households.
Thanks to generous support , we were able to continue helping more than 10,000 families over two years with food baskets, hygiene kits, and winter assistance.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
43000
individuals supplied with food, winter clothes, blankets, and hygiene items
For three months after the earthquakes, MERATH facilitated the emergency delivery of 7,500 blankets, 6,000 pullovers, 2,600 winter jackets, 12,500 food boxes, 12,500 hygiene kits, and 7,000 bags of diapers to 30 churches and community-based organizations, in the Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Tartous, and Homs governorates. The churches distributed these items to over 9,400 households affected by the earthquakes, bringing them some comfort and putting smiles back on the faces of children.
LONG TERM RESPONSE
10000
households provided with essential food, hygiene, and other basic assistance
Because the need for humanitarian assistance persists long beyond the initial emergency response phase, MERATH continues to provide essential food and hygiene assistance to around 1,400 crisis-affected families across the Aleppo, Hama, Lattakia, Tartous, and Homs governorates.
PSS TRAININGS
30
church partners trained in PSS first aid
To respond to the trauma and huge psychological needs created by the earthquakes, we complemented our response with staff care retreats for our local partners as well as psychosocial support trainings to equip them with basic counselling skills.
