Thousands of men, women and children have died and thousands more are struggling to survive, in makeshift shelters and tent cities, following the deadliest recorded earthquake in more than 20 years in Turkey and Syria.
As aid starts to reach the affected areas, a national appeal is underway, organised by the member charities of the DEC (Disasters Emergency Committee).
Bishop Rachel and Bishop Robert said, “We know that you will join in us in heartfelt prayers for the people suffering in the aftermath of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. Please do consider donating to the Earthquake Appeal, to help bring hope in this crisis.”
Church congregations are being urged to help support these efforts. “Every prayer, every gift, every action brings hope to all those affected by this disaster,” the CEO of international development charity Christian Aid, Patrick Watt said.
Emergency envelopes for church collections can be ordered by phoning 08080 005 005 or emailing ku.oc1695770622.sf-c1695770622iasom1695770622@dian1695770622aitsi1695770622rhc1695770622" class="broken_link">ku.oc1695770622.sf-c1695770622iasom1695770622@dian1695770622aitsi1695770622rhc1695770622 by 12 noon on the Thursday of the week you will hold the collection, to ensure the envelopes arrive in time.
The first quake, of magnitude 7.8, hit in the early hours of Monday, February 6 in southern Turkey close to the border with northern Syria. A second 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck nine hours later, and was followed by aftershocks. The death toll has been rising daily and officials fear many more could lose their lives because of the conditions they are now living in – with no shelter, water, food or electricity.
Even before this crisis, there were more than four million people, mostly women and children, in need of aid in Northwest Syria – many of whom lost their homes because of conflict in the region.
Extreme weather events and spiraling costs of food and fuel made the situation worse.
And now whole communities lie in ruins, as rescue workers search tirelessly for survivors trapped in the rubble, and even more people are homeless and battling to cope with the devastation.
Christian Aid is already working with partners in Northwest Syria to provide winter kits to people seeking shelter.
Church congregations are being encouraged to stand with the charity in praying for comfort and hope for all those caught up in the tragedy – and to come together to organise collections to boost the nationwide appeal organised by the DEC.
Patrick said: “The scenes from this disaster are heartbreaking but it is not too late to save lives. We are hopeful people will show the same spirit of solidarity and compassion we saw in the aftermath of the invasion of Ukraine a year ago.
“Every prayer, every gift, every action brings hope to people hit by disaster. By joining us, you can help people in need rebuild their lives.”
A prayer for the people affected by the earthquake
God of time and space, we cry to you for your children – our neighbours – in southern Turkey and northern Syria, following the earthquake that has devastated hundreds of lives. Only they and you know what it is like to experience such trauma in the middle of the night.
We give thanks for the aid that is already being given and for the promises of help that have been made by many nations.
Comfort, we pray,
those who are trapped in collapsed buildings;
those who have lost loved ones;
those who wait for news and
those digging through rubble to save others.
Grant the gift of hope so that those caught between life and death know that you are with them and that others are ready to support them as they seek a future that overshadows the experiences of today.
We ask this in the Name of Jesus, who endured so much for love of them.
Amen
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