Syrians still live in fear of another earthquake and are in need of assistance

One year after the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and northern Syria on February 5-6, Brother George Saby spoke to Vatican News about the trauma that continues to affect the Syrian population, and about the Marianists' efforts to restore hope amid hardships exacerbated by 13 years. Years of war and sanctions.

By Alexandra Serjeant and Lisa Zingarini

A year ago, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake shook southeastern Turkey and northern Syria, with thousands of aftershocks, killing nearly 60,000 people.

In Syria, a country torn by war for thirteen years, the disaster has claimed the lives of between 6,000 and 10,000 people.

One year after the night of February 6, the fear of new devastating tremors continues to haunt the residents of the affected areas, which were already marked by the violence of war and are now facing an unprecedented economic crisis that has pushed the population into poverty.

Added to this is the recent cessation of food aid provided by the United Nations World Food Programme, which feeds approximately 5.6 million Syrians, due to a lack of funding.

Blue Marist Brother George Saby lives in Aleppo, one of the northwestern Syrian cities most affected by the earthquake.

In an interview with Vatican News correspondent Alexandra Sergant, Blue appeals to the international community not to “abandon the suffering population,” and also explains his daily work to help restore hope to the people of Aleppo.

Material damage and psychological trauma

Between 500 and 600 families in the city whose homes were destroyed are still displaced. Many other people are still living in their damaged homes even though they are unsafe because there is nowhere else to go, and reconstruction is still imminent.

Brother Sabi explained that in addition to the physical damage, there is psychological trauma: “Fear has gripped many people, whether children, adults, young people or the elderly.” “For some time, many people continued to sleep with their clothes on because they were afraid it would happen again. There are children who still have great difficulty being separated from their parents at night and some even during the day.”

Brother Blue Marist said that rebuilding people's sense of security is therefore one of the priorities today, along with rebuilding homes, noting that the earthquake increases the trauma of war.

In an interview with Vatican News, the Archbishop of Homs issues an appeal to the Syrian people who face the risk of starvation after the World Food Program stopped its general food programme…

International sanctions on Syria affect the population

One of the consequences of the war is the economic crisis resulting from the sanctions imposed on Syria.

Despite the international community's claims that they are not directed against the Syrian people, the sanctions are severely affecting the population in daily life.

“For example, we are in winter now, and we only have two hours of electricity a day. This means that we are constantly looking for ways to keep warm,” Brother Sabi explained.

Rare international aid

Brother Marist also expressed his regret at the lack of humanitarian aid provided by non-governmental organizations and international organizations.

He noted that since January 1, 2024, the United Nations World Food Program has suspended all aid to Syria. He added: “Personally, I believe that at this stage, we do not have the right to abandon the suffering population.”

“What right do we have today to accept that the population lives in poverty and misery?”

“We need to live in dignity”

Therefore, he is asking for help from the international community.

“We need to live in dignity. We are not beggars, but we have faced so many difficulties, so many problems, so much misfortune that aid coming from humanity should help us get back on our feet, not make us beggar.

Hope is still possible

Despite this bleak picture, according to Brother Sabi, there is still room for hope based on faith.

He said: “We must believe that hope is possible and that the Lord will not abandon us, and with this hope we must meet others.” “Our faith helps us move forward.”

This is the main goal of the work of the Blue Marists in Aleppo. “We are working to continue sowing hope in tangible ways: through food baskets, psychological support, education, promoting human development, and financial assistance to pay rent.”

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