Greetings to all our confreres,

It has been a week had passed since the most devastating earthquake of this year on February 6, 2023 caused the death of more than 20,000 Turkish and Syrians where most of them were the poorest caught up in the midst of war and serious political crisis in the region. Freezing temperatures, snowfall, and damaged roads hindered frantic search and rescue efforts for survivors trapped under toppled buildings.

According to reports, the quakes destroy more than 2,800 buildings in Turkiye. The epicenter was in Gaziantep, where millions of Syrian refugees live, just outside the regional capital. The quake added more misery along the border, an area beset by the nearly 12-year Syria conflict and refugee crisis. Turkey hosts the largest number of refugees in the world, some 3.6 million Syrians, according to the UNHCR, which runs one of its most extensive operations from Gaziantep.

Hundreds of thousands of people in both countries have been left homeless in the middle of winter. Many have camped out in makeshift shelters, car parks, mosques, roadsides or amid the ruins, often desperate for food, water and heat. Priorities include access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), healthcare, shelter, psychosocial support and protection, and material supplies such as tents, beds and blankets.

The children impacted by the earthquake are now extremely vulnerable and at risk. Hundreds of thousands are now homeless, separated from their families and exposed to diseases, and risk to exploitation such as child labor and trafficking. Humanitarian needs were already extremely severe in Northwest Syria, and this catastrophic earthquake has added trauma to ongoing crisis there. Health facilities were already badly equipped and unable to cope with the needs and some are destroyed. Some members of the affected families suffered the physical and mental impact of the earthquake. Countless survivors need medications for other illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, respiratory diseases, cancer and others. Pregnant women are at risk of miscarriage and other complications.

Once again, we are appealing for your generosity. Hear the groanings and appeal of these most vulnerable people. Real suffering is here, and we are all challenged to hear the “cries of the anawim.” CADIS International has established contact with the Franciscan Cappuccin community and CARITAS Turkiye (Istanbul). We are doing an ongoing assessment of the situation particularly in places that are not getting much help from the public and private organizations.

In view of the above situation and the preparation to intervene and collaborate in bringing assistance to survivors, we are appealing for your financial support. This is our urgent need at this point in time. Please share with this mission, our mission and timely respond to the cries of the survivors.

Please donate to our emergency fund:

ACCOUNT:      Fondazione Camillian Disaster Service International – CADIS

ADDRESS:        Piazza della Maddalena, 53 – 00186 Roma

BANK NAME:  DEUTSCHE BANK

IBAN:               IT13T 03104 03202 00000 08402 70

BIC-SWIFT:      DEUTITM1582

ADDRESS:        Largo di Torre Argentina, 4, 00186 Roma

We thank you in advance for your great support and generosity. Please keep the survivors and rescuers in your prayers. We will keep you posted of the recent events on the ground.

May the good Lord keep you always in His heart and through the intercession of St. Camillus de Lellis, may you always enjoy the blessing of health.

_____________________________

Aristelo D. Miranda, MI

Executive Director

Rome, 12 February 2023

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