Convents host thousands of earthquake victims in Syria

After the February earthquake, century-old convents in Aleppo and Latakia were turned into relief centres overnight, hosting thousands of people whose houses were damaged or destroyed. Giacomo Gentile from Pro Terra Sancta reports on what Muslim and Christian aid workers were able to do in Syria with funding from Dutch citizens, provided through Cordaid.

“In the first weeks after the earthquake, our aid workers supported earthquake victims in finding safer places to stay. A few days after the big seismic shock of February 6th, many people went back to their homes. But then other major shocks followed, causing panic and new casualties,” project area coordinator Giacomo explains.

“Therefore, evacuating people and hosting them in safe and secure places was our first concern. Thanks to generous Dutch support, we managed to provide shelter to three thousand earthquake victims in three Franciscan convents in Aleppo, and one thousand in a convent in the coastal city of Latakia,” he adds.

In Latakia, Pro Terra Sancta also supported hundreds of persons who sought refuge in a big sports hall.

For weeks, people from all faiths and backgrounds found refuge and were given a safe haven, a place to sleep, and hot food. “Last year, in Aleppo, we had already set up an emergency kitchen to provide hot meals. After the earthquake, we went from one thousand meals a day to two thousand,” Giacomo says.

Suffering upon suffering

Indeed, after twelve years of war during which Aleppo has been the scene of some of the most devastating battles, the seismic catastrophe has only added suffering upon suffering. Its destruction of the city was immense. Luckily, even though some of the convents were slightly damaged, the structures of century-old buildings remained absolutely intact.

“In all the convent emergency centres we provided a place to sleep, water and hot food. By now, some people went to other places, but to this day we still host three thousand persons who have nowhere else to go.”

Next to the emergency kitchen, aid workers distribute food kits prepared in three centres close to the convents. These kits, with olive oil, pasta, bread and other basic necessities, provide enough food for families for about three weeks.

Gearing up assistance

Pro Terra Sancta has been providing humanitarian support in Syria since 2019. “We have now geared up our centres and resources to also respond to the earthquake disaster,” says Giacomo. “For example, in our thee centres in the Aleppo area we have been providing art therapy and other forms of psychosocial support to war orphans for the past four years. Now, after the quake, these centres support seven hundred more children, all of them affected by the disaster. And we are also assisting six hundred women, many of them single mothers, in these centres as well.”
Sadly, a number of children supported by the centres were killed by the earthquake. “We don’t know for certain how many, but at least ten children died. They were staying with relatives, outside the centres, when the earthquake struck.”

Muslim and Christian aid workers

Giacomo stresses that, even though Pro Terra Sancta is closely connected to the catholic church in Syria, its humanitarian assistance is provided regardless of faith or background. “To make sure that Christians and Muslims alike can find their way to our doors and centres, we work with staff of both faiths. In Syrian cities, where religious groups tend to have their own quarters, this is also a way to further interfaith collaboration and dialogue.”

This picture gallery shows a food distribution visit in East Aleppo

The political complexity and the sensitivities of the Syrian conflict make it hard for humanitarians to operate. “Of course, we feel this”, Giacomo says. “But somehow our connection with the catholic church, which has a long past in Syria and a sound reputation among all conflicting parties, and our firm commitment to serve local communities whatever their religion, has allowed us to do our work.”

Supporting people in Idlib

Besides places like Aleppo, many areas near the epicentre of the earthquake are not controlled by the Assad regime. “Unfortunately, we cannot work there ourselves,” Giacomo continues. “But we do support Franciscan aid workers in Idlib, near the Turkish border, where nearly 90% of the houses are damaged or destroyed. They are providing food, water, and other assistance to hundreds of families over there.”

Post-seismic reconstruction

In the coming months, Giacomo says Pro Terra Sancta wants to expand the assistance they are currently providing. “We want to start rehabilitating houses and apartments. Reconstruction has not really started yet,” he says.

“Municipalities are still assessing the scale and nature of the damage. But people need to be able to go back to their homes soon. After the battles for Aleppo, in 2016, we ran a housing programme, rehabilitating 600 homes. Now, we want to use our expertise to start something similar. With Dutch support provided through Cordaid, we have already started working with post-seismic reconstruction architects and engineers. They have met and trained local companies. Many of these building companies are experts in rehabilitating or reconstructing war-damaged houses. But seismic damage is different. We have the experts and the expertise, we know the communities and where to go. Hopefully, we can soon start rebuilding.”

Cordaid’s support for Pro Terra Sancta’s earthquake response is financed with funds raised by the Giro555 Help slachtoffers aardbeving campaign, a Dutch national fundraising campaign in solidarity with the people in Turkiye and Syria.