The friars' help to Syrian earthquake victims

In the aftermath of the terrible earthquake that shook southern Turkey and northern Syria on 6 February, the work of the friars and volunteers who took in displaced people to give them a roof to shelter under and hot meals is unceasing. In fact, the earthquake has destroyed or rendered many buildings uninhabitable, electricity is lacking in most cities, and the poor weather conditions also put the lives of the survivors at risk. 

Br Francesco Patton, OFM, Custos of the Holy Land, heard from Delegate Br Bahjat Karakach, Guardian and parish priest in Aleppo, Syria. We report his testimony: "Immediately after the earthquake we announced that in our church we would welcome people and shelter them from the cold and rain, and so did many other churches. Here in the city, there is talk of around 600 dead, more than 1,500 injured and countless missing - all figures that are bound to increase. We know of a Greek Catholic priest who died under the rubble, unfortunately”. 

Many buildings collapsed or were seriously damaged, rendered unusable by the earthquake and subsequent aftershocks. In fact, Br Bahjat continues: "Our church was not immune from damage as the two bell towers lost a lot of material, the rubble filled the street and the courtyard. We also face the danger that the buildings in front of the church will collapse because of cracks, and this portends great dangers that we will have to face in the future".

In Aleppo, Christian structures are at the forefront in helping displaced people: "We have three convents in the city and all three welcome displaced people according to their capacity: in our parish convent in the centre of the city, we take in about 500 people; in the Holy Land college, further out, about 2,000, also having spaces outdoors, while the branch church accommodates about 50 people. We serve three meals a day. No one wants to go home, because people are afraid of other, stronger tremors. The temperatures continue to drop, even below zero; therefore, we make sure to keep the places warm for the children".
To deal with the crisis, the apostolic nuncio, Card. Mario Zenari, who called an emergency meeting of the bishops to find the best ways to bring help to the people.
Br Massimo Fusarelli, Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor, is supporting the fundraising for the earthquake emergency and has set up the donation platform through his OFM Fraternitas Foundation. 
"Together with the Custos of the Holy Land, we will support the projects and requests for first aid," said the Minister General.

Photos from Syria (Aleppo, Yadibl, Knayeh)