Powerful aftershocks are shaking Turkey and Syria. Following the 7.8 magnitude earthquake which has left at least 2200 people dead, Help The Persecuted is rushing emergency supplies to those devastated by this disaster.
While their Field Ministry Team travels to Aleppo in Syria to begin coordinating their aid efforts, Help The Persecuted has already released emergency funds to churches on the ground in the city where hundreds of lives have already been lost.
“We heard that one of our staff has lost family members and a young boy and his mother who belonged to an Armenian church have been found dead in the rubble in Aleppo,” explained Help The Persecuted Regional Director Salaam.
He added: “When we spoke to local pastors they told us the greatest need is to keep people warm as they’ve already been hit by extreme winter storms. Our field ministry team members are travelling to the city to begin our emergency aid distributions with the local churches and to provide pastoral care.”
Their team will work closely with partner churches to provide hot meals and shelter to those who lost their homes as well as bedding and heating supplies.
Help The Persecuted CEO and President Joshua Youssef says this earthquake will just add to the crisis sweeping Syria: “After several years of civil war this disaster will just further exacerbate the poverty that many Christians were already facing there. But as we’ve experienced over the years the Syrian people have a very strong resolve and we will do everything we can to stand with the persecuted church and to demonstrate the love of Christ in action.”
About HTP: www.htp.org
Millions of Christians around the world have lost their homes, their livelihoods, and their families to persecution. Many more are forced to evacuate and leave their entire lives behind. When lives hang in the balance, every minute counts. That’s why Help The Persecuted has embedded in the field those who can help Christians in-person at a moment’s notice. Since launching the charity has delivered practical and spiritual support to over 135,000 vulnerable people to address their most urgent needs, including:
•Emergency Safe House housing.
•The provision of food, housing, rent and basic living needs.
•Transportation and relocation expenses to secure a safe environment.
•Establishing small businesses and providing vocational training.
•Construction assistance to rebuild homes and family businesses.
•Medical expenses related to torture or abuse, and vital medications.
•Trauma counselling, therapy and group meetings.
•Pastoral care, discipleship programmes and connections to a local church.
Main photo: Mahmoud Sulaiman via Unsplash
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