Paris, 7th February 2024. On 6th February 2023, a terrifying earthquake of magnitude 7.8 has hit Syria killing 6,000 people. SOS Chrétiens d’Orient’s teams in the Syrian mission reacted immediately by providing several tonnes of emergency aid to people who had lost everything during the earthquake. One year on, consequences on the Syrian people remain drastic. SOS Chrétiens d’Orient continues to take action and works with the Syrians who are undergoing a tragic humanitarian crisis.
On 6th February 2023, Syria and Turkey were hit by a terrible 7.8 magnitude earthquake. According to the latest numbers published by the Turkish and Syrian governments, 60,000 people lost their lives and 107,000 were injured. Thousands of Syrian families, who are already subject to more than 10 years of civil war, international sanctions that suffocate their country, and the economic crisis, suddenly found themselves homeless.
SOS Chrétiens d’Orient responded immediately to the needs by distributing several tonnes of emergency aid: food, hygiene products and household appliances to more than 3,000 beneficiaries.
In addition to material emergency aid, SOS Chrétiens d’Orient took into account the psychological after-effects of the earthquake. This is why psychological support units have been set up in order to take care of people with post-traumatic stress disorder. Nearly 100 people have benefited from these support units, demonstrating the importance of psychological help in the post-disaster recovery process.
As the emergency phase fades away, our teams are now turning their attention to the rehabilitation phase. SOS Chrétiens d’Orient is funding the rehabilitation of 234 flats in the most affected towns such as Aleppo, Hama and Latakia, enabling families to return to decent houses.
However, needs are still great. This disaster has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis that has been devastating in Syria for several years. According to the UN, almost 17 million Syrians will need help by 2024. Faced with this reality, SOS Chrétiens d’Orient continues to support the Syrian people during this drastic humanitarian crisis.
Our teams present in the field are at the disposal of journalists to bear witness to the continuing humanitarian crisis.
