A report by Open Doors
ALMOST 4,000 are dead after Turkiye and Syria were rocked by a huge 7.8 magnitude earthquake – the most powerful in the region for over 80 years.
Open Doors has been in touch with their church partners, who are among the first responders to this crisis, with partner Ibrahim Najjar from Aleppo describing the severity of the quake by saying, “we all felt death was imminent”.
“We know of two priests who are stuck under the rubble in Aleppo, please pray for them. We have also heard of at least two Christians, a mother and her son, killed in Aleppo because their house collapsed. Please pray for their family and friends.”
Open Doors CEO Adam Holland explained that when the Open Doors team spoke with the local partner, only 30 seconds into the call, there was screaming in the background and he managed to say ‘it’s happening again’ before the line was cut. It was another earthquake.”
“We ask all Christians to join us in praying for those impacted by this tragedy. We are praying for those who mourn and grieve loved ones; those who are injured; and for the ongoing rescue efforts,” said Adam.
“We are calling on believers to pray that the church would rely on God’s strength and that His people would reach out in love to those who need it most,” he said.
From International Christian Concern
International Christian Concern’s (ICC) field representative reported the reality for residents in northern Syria as buildings collapsed: “Since 4:20 a.m., when the earthquake started, all of us residents are out [in the street] in their pajamas. After a few hours people started going back to their homes but there were still small tremors. At 1:15 another strong earthquake happened and now they are saying that there is another one, too. So many people died, and some have lost their homes.”
As widespread relief efforts get underway, ICC is monitoring and exploring ways to serve Christians affected by the disaster through its staff and partners on the ground. An added layer of hardship for survivors is the frigid winter weather that has left many in the freezing cold, snow, and rain, and without proper shelter.
“The earthquake has brought a heighted sense of fear among a population that has already suffered so much displacement and destruction from conflict,” said ICC Middle East Regional Manager Joseph Daniel. “And now to experience such a devastating natural disaster, it results in a feeling of helplessness and hopelessness for many.”