An Update from Earthquake Relief in Syria and Turkey
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
- Galatians 6:9-10
Turkey and Syria
On February 5, 2023, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck south central Turkey and northwestern Syria. Since the initial quake, over 10,000 aftershocks have continued to affect the region. Nearly 58,000 people lost their lives in Turkey and Syria, and millions of survivors were left homeless. Within a week, ARDF mobilized support using our General Relief Fund to fund relief efforts of 8 partner organizations. In the past 2 months, through our network of Anglican contacts, we have sent over $215,000 in funds. We continue to raise funds to match a generous $100,000 gift.
Our focus has been to support the local church as it responds. Here are a few examples:
One long-time pastor in Adana Turkey moved into the local church building when his own home was damaged in the earthquake. Having planted three churches, he was uniquely connected to help coordinate relief aid to his community. As one of the westernmost cities affected by the quake, Adana is serving as a distribution center for aid. This pastor is coordinating a church aid distribution system: local pastors call this pastor with needs, he purchases supplies from local wholesalers, and sends supplies to areas eastward where requested. Local pastors then coordinate their own volunteers to distribute aid in their communities such as tents, food, cleaning supplies and generators.
The Orthodox Church in Antakya (Antioch) traces its roots to the days of the early church where in Acts 11, Christians were first named. The Orthodox Church has continued in ministry since that time. Unfortunately, Antakya was one of the cities hardest hit by the earthquake, destroying even one of the main Orthodox churches. Despite losing close family members in the quake, the local head of the church’s ministry foundation has coordinated relief efforts. He has opened church facilities as distribution centers and with ARDF relief funds, helped over 60 families without housing sustain themselves. The Orthodox Church in Antakya celebrated Easter on April 17, outside the ruins of their damaged building, and is a faithful testimony of the ongoing presence of the Church in their community.
Despite challenges, ARDF has also been able to support relief aid distribution in Syria. International sanctions, restricted access to affected areas, and local power struggles all slowed aid into the hardest hit areas. ARDF partnered with the Presbyterian Church to support their relief in two large cities. Despite damage to their own facilities, church leaders distributed food, provided shelter, and distributed other supplies to families who have suffered from years of conflict in addition to the earthquake. These churches are now focusing on finding longer-term shelter for the many families who cannot return to their damaged homes.
ARDF has also supported other local believers who have been able to transport relief aid from Turkey and other areas into the more rural communities of Syria, badly affected by the earthquake. Some of these Turkish believers have lost their own homes but go weekly to transport food, blankets, tents, and hygiene supplies to Syria. They are able to communicate that the aid is coming from the Church, and this is very well received and opening doors for the good news of Jesus, especially since many are not receiving help from the government or other Muslim organizations. They are exploring how to help with longer-term housing - the primary need going forward.
ARDF has partnered once again with Water Mission to provide clean water systems in Turkey. Focusing first on water systems for schools and medical clinics, Water Mission is also installing water systems in tent communities where people are likely to be settled for some time. Finally, ARDF has supported the excellent work of First Hope Association, a Turkish NGO, responding effectively in the name of Christ with many initiatives including mobile sanitation and laundry trailers, a mobile bread baking truck, field hospital support, and kids’ play tents for children to relax and just be kids despite the situation around them. First Hope Association has provided over 30,000 tents and is now working to build container cities to provide longer-term housing.
Please continue to pray for those affected, including the countless relief workers who have been tirelessly laboring these past months:
Pray for ongoing resources, particularly for longer-term housing needed for so many.
Pray for health and safety. As summer comes, water and sanitation access will be critical to preventing the spread of disease.
Pray for trauma recovery for children, families, first responders, and relief workers. The devastation has been overwhelming, and people have been working non-stop for months.
Pray for political stability in both countries, and for Turkey’s national elections in May.
Pray for the Church to be a blessing, a source of hope, and for the good news of Jesus to be known in this part of the world.
Pray for individual churches participating in relief. Many have not prepared for this but are responding faithfully to needs. Pray that as they grieve and recover, they may have grace to also reach out in love.
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