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Middle East earthquake: action and assistance for those affected

Mar 15, 2023

A month after strong earthquakes struck Turkey and Syria, here’s a short update on the contributions collected by the Focolare Movement's Emergency Coordination and a glimpse of a first intervention phase launched in Syria in February, which will run through August.

A month after strong earthquakes struck Turkey and Syria, here’s a short update on the contributions collected by the Focolare Movement’s Emergency Coordination and a glimpse of a first intervention phase launched in Syria in February, which will run through August. On 7 February, the Focolare Movement’s Emergency Coordination launched a fundraising campaign in support of the people of Turkey and Syria, through the non-governmental organisations Action for a United World (AMU) and Action for New Families (AFN). Currently, the contributions collected amount to close to 580,000 Euros, and a first instalment of 100,000 Euros has already been sent to some Syrian regions affected by the earthquake. Specifically, the operation will help close to 2,500 people directly and indirectly reach between 5,000 and 10,000 people in the three earthquake-affected areas of Aleppo, Latakia and Hama. Here are some examples of interventions that will be carried out, a variety of support actions:

SUPPORT WITH BASIC NEEDS

  • Provision of basic necessities – food, blankets, medicines, clothes, etc. – to displaced people housed in temporary shelters (churches, mosques, etc.)
  • Economic contribution to the neediest families; provision of medical services and aids for post-hospitalisation mobility, medicines, physical and psychological treatment sessions for physically and psychologically affected people
  • Distribution of food parcels to families experiencing food insecurity (in cooperation with other organisations)
  • Economic support to artisans to buy back or repair lost equipment and tools and restart work

REBUILDING EARTHQUAKE-DAMAGED HOMES

  • Covering the cost of inspections and technical assessments of the stability of buildings by technical commissions of engineers
  • Economic support to families for works to consolidate the foundations of buildings and renovate damaged homes
  • Covering costs for the purchase of tools for craftsmen (blacksmiths, plumbers, carpenters, electricians) so that they can resume work in damaged homes
  • Economic support for rental costs for those who have lost their homes or need temporary residence due to their homes becoming unsuitable

POST-EARTHQUAKE PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT

  • Covering home care costs for elderly people living alone
  • Implementing collective activities and initiatives for group psychological support, particularly at temporary accommodation centres
  • Holding training workshops on psychological support to provide tools and methodologies to operators and volunteers who are active in the rescue sector

Edited by Maria Grazia Berretta

Click the Link – 11 March 2023 https://youtu.be/S_F0ELXyf_k

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