Rebuilding Hope | Update from Syria | April 2023
A few weeks ago, the Scalabrini International Migration Network (SIMN) along with theASCS – Agenzia Scalabriniana per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo, have kicked off Rebuilding Hope, Fundraising Campaign to support local churches in Turkey and Syria to support the many people and families affected by last February’s earthquake.
These days, several donors, partners and Scalabrinian missions have decided to support this Campaign with a donation. Today we want to say thank you and share with you an update received from Archbishop Joseph Tobji, Maronite Archbishop of Aleppo, with whom we are in contact.
There are 11 different dioceses in Aleppo: 6 Catholic bishops, 3 Orthodox bishops, 2 Protestant pastors. After the earthquake, an Ecumenical Relief Committee, of which Bishop Tobji is the chairman, was established to address the various needs and to coordinate the charity service.
The Ecumenical Committee is currently working on the distribution of food parcels, reconstruction and restoration of buildings, support for rent, health issues, and support to families for children’s education and upbringing.
Below we tell you how the donations collected and those coming in the next few weeks will help meet the various needs.
Food and Housing Emergency
Due to inflation and rising transportation costs, the costs of goods and food have risen exponentially. The salary of a civil servant is 100,000 Syrian Liras (about 12 euros), while a private employee gets no more than 300,000 L.S. (about 36 euros). A kilogram of minced meat today costs about 80,000 L.S. For a kilogram of homemade cheese, on the other hand, the cost is about 50,000 L.S. A kilogram of lentils costs about 15,000 L.S. and a kilogram of rice about 8,000 L.S. These examples give a good idea of the need for support that many families need in terms of food aid.
Bishop Tobji told us that many families had to leave their homes as a result of the earthquake. Of these, about fifty received support to pay rent. Since the earthquake, rent prices have soared and many families are in danger of not being able to cover their expenses for the next few months. The funds raised will also concretely support these families in terms of housing.
Health Emergency
The cost of medical care between surgical and medical interventions is very high. Several Associations are already active in the area but given the costs, they are not always able to support all those in need. Tens of millions of Syrian liras are reported for surgeries. Even families who work and have a more stable economic situation still cannot cope with surgery. Suffice it to say that for a hip replacement the expense is about 10-12 million Syrian liras.
Reconstruction and restoration of buildings, apartments, churches and convents
In recent months, the Ecumenical Committee has received more than 4,000 applications for apartment restoration, most of which are minor restorations; more than 150, however, have suffered very serious damage in the entire apartment building, and the foundations will also need to be reinforced. In addition, there are about a dozen damaging Churches, Convents, Halls and other buildings. Currently, several Associations are already supporting reconstruction activities, but given the large number of buildings in need of interventions, our support could also make a difference.
Education and Instruction
At a time that is already very difficult due to the earthquake, the costs of education, as well as those related to transportation to get to schools, further burden families. The donations we will send to support the local church in Syria can also be supportive in covering, in a small part, the school fees and education-related costs that families have to bear (about 2/2.5 million Syrian liras per year). Because it is important for children to keep going to school, to return to normal as soon as possible.
Rebuilding Hope wants to concretely support the actions of local churches in Syria and Turkey by responding to various emergencies and needs, such as the ones we told you about in this article. That is why your donation and support, will really make a difference.
Thank you for those who have already chosen to walk alongside us. Thank you to those who will!
