MECC Restores 27 Buildings Damaged by the Earthquake in Aleppo
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On the sixth of February 2023, Syrians woke up to a new disaster that exacerbated their suffering. In a moment everything changed, buildings and houses collapsed, the ground shook, and days unfolded with a harshness reminiscent of war.
The earthquake that struck several provinces in Syria caused a great humanitarian catastrophe by all standards, with great material and human losses. Whoever got out alive from under the rubble, and whoever escaped from death, re-experience displacement.
However, despite all this pain, there was a ray of light that illuminated the darkness of the people in the areas affected by the earthquake disaster. The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), through its Diakonia and Social Service Department in Syria, quickly moved to stand by the affected people by providing food, health assistance, and financial aid in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, and Hama.
In addition to In-Kind assistance, MECC worked on restoring 27 earthquake-damaged buildings in Aleppo.
One of the beneficiaries said, “I cannot forget February 6th in any way. This day left a very painful mark on my soul. I woke up at four in the morning to the sound of the bed shaking violently. People were running to the street, rain was falling on their heads, and the sound of children's cries was louder than the rain. My house had cracks due to the earthquake, so I moved to live with my sister”.
She added that “the assistance of MECC in restoring my house and the houses that were cracked due to the earthquake in Aleppo was a balm for my wounds. I am a retired employee, and my monthly salary is very modest. I cannot afford to repair a chandelier or anything at my home”.
In the provinces of Latakia and Hama, MECC worked to help individuals whose homes were significantly damaged and who were forced to find alternative housing but couldn't afford the rising rental costs after the earthquake. Hence, MECC provided a financial amount covering the rent for 7 months, benefiting around 280 families.
