Syria: One Year On from the Earthquake

Last year in February, families in Turkey and Syria endured one of the largest earthquakes the region has ever experienced.

Thousands were killed and buried under the rubble. Emergency teams scrambled to rescue survivors, and millions of people were left homeless in temporary shelters.

“I can’t describe how terrifying it was,” says Lina, local partner.  

A light in the darkness

But in the midst of their darkest hour, churches came together to support the vulnerable and grieving in the Middle East.

Church buildings became sanctuaries — places of hope and healing for the grieving and lost.

The Christian community and our local partners worked tirelessly to offer emotional support and counsel, food, blankets, medicine, and accommodation to those impacted.
 

Your prayers and gifts are having an enormous impact

Thanks to the generous gifts of Open Doors supporters, our local partners in Syria can help restore the houses of people impacted by the earthquake.

More than 7,000 people in Aleppo alone left their homes that night and went to stay in churches and monasteries. As the year unfolded, our partner helped these families return to their homes after restoring them and making them safe again. In Aleppo, 1,540 houses were repaired over the last year, and many grateful families have returned. In Latakia, Syria, another 464 houses have already been restored.
   

Kamal: Thank you, thank you, we’re very grateful

Kamal and Marina are among those in Latakia who are getting support from Open Doors local partners. “I can’t describe how terrifying [the earthquake] was – the only thing I could do back then was just praying to God,” Kamal says. “We received help and we could renovate and repair the damage that was caused by the earthquake. We’re very thankful, very grateful, to all people who shared our suffering and helped us continue and stand. Thank you, thank you, we’re very grateful.”
 

Please keep praying

The communities in Syria and Turkey still need your prayers. Many people are traumatised by what they’ve experienced, and scared that it could happen again. “Physically we are okay, but psychologically we have scars, we’re troubled,” shares Rihab in Syria.

Syria continues to have many problems, and Christians continue to live under risk. Many Syrian Christians have already fled the country, and many more want to leave. The future of the Syrian church is at risk, but Open Doors partners remain committed to strengthening God’s people to serve as salt and light in the nation. Please pray that God may help Syrian believers see His hand at work, that they will feel the love pouring from their brothers and sisters around the world.

There are also still large numbers of people who remain displaced by the earthquake and many homes still to be restored. Please keep praying for all who are grieving, all who are fearful and all who need support – as well as for Open Doors partners in the region. Thank you.