A devastating earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter Scale struck the region of southern Turkey and northern Syria in the early hours of Monday 6th February and was followed by many, equally catastrophic aftershocks.
Donate On-Line Today reference "Syria Earthquake"
The images of the destruction and news of the loss of life is horrific and our hearts, along with those in the Diocese of Jerusalem, goes out to all those who have been affected. We pray for them and all those involved in the rescue teams who are working day and night to search the rubble for victims.
In northern Syria, many of the victims are already refugees who have fled the ongoing civil war, making it difficult for government relief bodies to deliver aid to this area. On a practical level, the Jerusalem Diocesan church network, in which Syria resides, has the ability to channel aid and relief to these victims who are now without shelter or food in this bitter winter weather. The Archbishop in Jerusalem has set up an appeal for contributions (see his letter below) to enable the churches in the area provide relief for those directly affected by the earthquake. The church agencies are responding by providing food items, medicines, winter kits with blankets and mattresses, and emergency support. Through your support they will know that people across the world stand alongside them through this tragedy.
Please GIVE what you can to enable the diocese to provide practical support to the victims in northern Syria.
UK donations via JMECA
Online: The simplest way to make a donations is online using reference "Earthquake appeal" on the JMECA CAF Donate page (Click Here to Donate On-Line Today)
Alternative donation methods:
Paypal: please specify in the comments that your donation is for the "Syria Earthquake Appeal 2023" and whether you are eligible for Gift Aid.
Bank transfer: Direct to the JMECA account at Coutts bank, sort code 18-00-02, account number 03283534 , please specify in the details that your donation is for the "Syria Earthquake Appeal 2023" and let us know by email if you are eligible for Gift Aid.
Cheque: These should be made out to J.M.E.C.A. and sent to The Secretary, JMECA, 1 Hart House, The Hart, Farnham, Surrey GU9 7HJ. Please enclose a covering letter and specify that your donation is for the "Syria Earthquake Appeal 2023" . If you are not already registered for Gift Aid with us please include a signed Gift Aid form (click here to download a Gift Aid form).
Other agencies you can donate through:
Anglican Missions, Episcopal Relief & Development, Anglican Board of Mission and the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund
Please PRAY for healing, comfort and strength for the difficult days ahead of all those caught up in the disaster and those doing all they can to help them.
The Catholic Relief Services have circulated this prayer following the earthquake.
Lord, at times such as this,
when we realize that the ground beneath our feet
is not as solid as we had imagined,
we plead for your mercy.
As the things we have built crumble about us,
we know too well how small we truly are
on this ever-changing, ever-moving, fragile planet we call home.
Yet you have promised never to forget us.
Do not forget us now.
Today, so many people are afraid.
They wait in fear of the next tremor.
They hear the cries of the injured amid the rubble.
They roam the streets in shock at what they see.
And they fill the dusty air with wails of grief
and the names of missing dead.
Comfort them, Lord, in this disaster.
Be their rock when the earth refuses to stand still,
and shelter them under your wings
when homes no longer exist.
Embrace in your arms those who died
so suddenly this day.
Console the hearts of those who mourn,
and ease the pain of bodies on the brink of death.
Pierce, too, our hearts with compassion,
we who watch from afar,
as the poorest on this side of the earth
find only misery upon misery.
Move us to act swiftly this day,
to give generously every day,
to work for justice always,
and to pray unceasingly for those without hope.
And once the shaking has ceased,
the images of destruction have stopped filling the news,
and our thoughts return to life’s daily rumblings,
let us not forget that we are all your children
and they, our brothers and sisters.
We are all the work of your hands.
Amen
