Our Three Denominations Are Already Responding
You Can Help!!

GOPA-DERD team continues to intensify efforts in the areas most affected by the earthquake in Türkiye (Turkey) and Syria.
Credit: GOPA-DERD in Aleppo, Latakia, Hama (Syria)

On February 6, during the early hours of the morning, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit the border region, with a second major earthquake hitting Türkiye again just hours later. Aftershocks have been felt across the region since.

Key infrastructure, including residential buildings, roads and power grids have been destroyed. Historical landmarks – some that have stood for more than 2,300 years – have also been heavily damaged.

Among those affected are millions of refugees and displaced people living near the border of Syria and Türkiye (commonly known as Turkey, but whose traditional name has been recognized by the international community since 2022.)

The situation for these already vulnerable and displaced populations has been made almost inconceivably worse, as their makeshift camps are not equipped to withstand an earthquake of this magnitude, and many have lost their homes during a cold snap with overnight temperatures below freezing.

~ from a post dated February 8, 2023 on the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

Each denomination has its own development and relief organization.
All work with coalitions and their partners in affected areas.

Anglican — Primate’s World Development and Relief Fund

The PWDRF is supporting the ACT Alliance as it responds to the earthquake.  From a February 7th post on the PWDRF website:

The ACT Alliance has many members working in the area who have been responding to humanitarian needs. “As the scale of the disaster continues to be discovered, ACT members are checking in with their own staff teams, conducting rapid needs assessments, and already working to provide life-saving supplies to impacted people,” says the ACT Alliance.

PWRDF will immediately allocate $35,000 to the ACT Alliance to support its members working in the area. PWRDF is also accepting funds to support this appeal.

ACT member the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East-Department of Ecumenical Relations and Development (GOPA-DERD) is providing food, blankets, mattresses and medical aid in affected communities in Aleppo, Hama and Latakia.

ACT member the Middle East Council of Churches states “all the Churches in the Middle East have put their resources at the disposal of the affected and displaced people due to the earthquake, since the first moments of the disaster… The Churches in the Middle East, which always supports their people, will spare no effort in doing all they can to relieve their pain and lead them towards prosperity and progress.” Plans are underway from other ACT members to supply winterization materials, ambulances, and other needed supplies as the extent of the need is known.

That post provides some more information and includes ways to donate.  The page for donating online is https://pwrdf.org/give-today/.  Scroll down until you see “Syria/Turkey Earthquake Response”.

Evangelical Lutheran — Canadian Lutheran World Relief

The following is from a page on the Canadian Lutheran World Relief website:

CLWR is calling on Canadians to pray for those suffering through the devastating earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, and to give generously in support of the needs of all those affected.

The situation for these already vulnerable and displaced populations has been made almost inconceivably worse, as their makeshift camps are not equipped to withstand an earthquake of this magnitude, and many have lost their homes during a cold snap with overnight temperatures below freezing.

Our partners on the ground in the ACT Alliance have been delivering critical aid since the first hours after the earthquake.

CLWR – together with leading Canadian aid agencies in the Humanitarian Coalition – is appealing for donations to help them respond. Your gift today will provide life-saving shelter, medical care, food and blankets to those affected.

The page for donating online is https://www.clwr.org/earthquake.

United — Mission and Service Fund

The following is from a page on The United Church of Canada website:

We join Mission & Service partners the Middle East Council of Churches, ACT Alliance, the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, and the Humanitarian Coalition to show tangible support for the people of Türkiye and Syria.

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), which is a partner of The United Church of Canada, and ACT Alliance (of which The United Church of Canada and MECC are members) are responding in some of the hardest-hit areas in Türkiye and northern Syria. The MECC is implementing a rapid response by meeting the needs of people seeking shelter in churches and in public schools with items such as blankets, mattresses, food, water, and hygiene items right now, until the situation becomes more stable and the longer-term needs of people are assessed. ACT Alliance members are active in Türkiye and have initiated a rapid response. Thanks to previous donors to the Global Emergency Response fund, The United Church of Canada has made an immediate grant of $20,000 to support their efforts.

MECC and ACT Alliance continue to assess the immediate and ongoing needs of the communities. The United Church of Canada is committed to working with Mission & Service partners MECC, ACT Alliance, and the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. Through the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, we have joined the Humanitarian Coalition to call on Canadians to show tangible support for the people of Türkiye and Syria.

The page for donating online is found here.