The two very strong earthquakes with epicenter in Kahramanmaraş, in southern Turkey on the northwestern border with Syria, that occurred on the night of Feb. 5-6 razed hundreds of buildings, injured more than 20,000, and killed more than 5,000 people. An immense tragedy that once again strikes an already very unfortunate area of the planet. An area where the war that still pits government forces of the government of Bashar al-Assad and a coalition of armed militias, referred to as rebels, broke out on March 15, 2011. A bloody war that has claimed more than 306,000 lives, 6.6 million refugees abroad, and 6.7 million internally displaced people in the country.
A painful deja vu: Images of Aleppo, Syria's second-largest city, with eight-story buildings completely destroyed, roofs and attics collapsed to the ground, are reminiscent of one of the fiercest battles of the Syrian civil war, fought there. Many houses were still dilapidated from the last bombings; today they are just dust and rubble.
The Sons of Don Bosco of Aleppo immediately took action to assist the first displaced people, families sheltered at the Salesian home. The missionaries are providing assistance with food, blankets, and warm clothes. "We have promptly taken in all those in need. Already more than 300 people have been welcomed and helped by the Salesians, collaborators, and the entire Salesian Family in Aleppo," MOR's Provincial Delegate for Social Communication, Fr. Pier Jabloyan, announced yesterday, Feb. 7.
"There is great suffering because people are scared and fearful of aftershocks after the big one that happened at 4 a.m. The earth shook, houses were destroyed and there were many deaths. In addition to that, there was also cold and rain to make the displaced people ill," testified Fr. Georges Fattal, Director of the Salesian work in Aleppo, who providentially had "only some broken windows."
Immediately after the tremors, many bewildered people automatically sought refuge at the Salesian oratory. "Even before preparing hot meals, we had to calm them down because these people have already suffered war and poverty, now they also have to face the consequences of the earthquake," continued Fr. Fattal. "We reminded them that the Lord when He was in the midst of the rough sea asked the disciples, 'why are you afraid?' He is with us and in our midst."
Finally, the Salesian director in Aleppo concluded by urging support for the Syrian people at all levels: "Surely there will be a need for material help for reconstruction because this earthquake, as violent as we have ever seen before, has caused so many buildings to collapse. But first and foremost, we ask you to pray for us."
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