Major earthquakes have rocked the south-eastern region of Turkey (Turkiye) and Syria in early February 2023. They are said to be some of the strongest earthquakes to hit the region in over a century. Combined with major aftershocks they are creating devastation with large population centres also being affected. Tens of thousands have died and tens of thousands more are injured in Turkey and Syria. It is expected that these numbers will rise as rescue efforts continue. The snowy conditions mean many do not have adequate shelter and are living outdoors as thousands of buildings have collapsed and there is no electricity.

ARDFA is working with Christian churches and partners in Turkey and Syria to provide emergency relief to those left devastated and homeless in the freezing temperatures and heavy rain. Through their extensive networks, our partners are coordinating the delivery of aid and relief, including shelter, food, medicine, hygiene products, blankets and clothing to communities in need, both in Turkey and Syria.

In Turkey, our partner, the Kurtuluş Kiliseleri group of churches, has 8 churches in the 10 cities that suffered the greatest damages. Two of their own churches suffered great damage, and many members have lost homes, family members, friends and belongings. Working with other churches and the government, through their NGO Kurtulus Kiliseri Denergis, they have mobilised a coordinated response and quickly sent teams bringing aid to these cities. They are providing mobile kitchens in disaster areas and are supplying warm clothes, tents, sleeping bags and medicines in Gaziantep, Nurdai, Kilis, Elbistan, Kahramanmars (epicentre of the earthquake), Iskenderun (Antakya), Malatya, Adiyaman, Merisin. They are also providing temporary accommodation in the cities, for those fleeing from disaster areas.

In Syria, our partner, a church in Damascus (name held for security reasons) has sent a team to Aleppo (a war-torn city, which has suffered much damage even before the earthquake), to bring much-needed emergency supplies. The second team is going to Lattakia and Jabalah to do the same. These teams can go to places where foreign aid has difficulty in reaching.