visits Syria and Turkey

DEC Appeal

In this country the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal has raised over £88 million in eight days.

Christine Allen, Director of Cafod says, ‘the people of Syria have been tormented by war for over a decade. Families had already lost so much, many had lost their homes, their livelihoods and their loved ones. To then suffer an earthquake, after already facing so much is heart-breaking.

‘It is vital that we remember in our prayers all the victims of this devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria, and I pray that the people of Syria can rebuild their lives and finally find peace and safety. We pray also for our local partners, Syrian people, who are giving so much of their time and dedication during these difficult times.’

Cafod’s local experts in Syria have acted quickly to provide shelter, food, water and emergency medical assistance as well as blankets and fuel to help people cope with the freezing temperatures.

Monsignor John Furnival from St Peter and St Paul in Crosby said that his parish held a collection for the Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal and have raised £1,445 and are still hoping for more donations. One parishioner said, ‘I felt very helpless when I saw the scale of the disaster and was delighted that Cafod was able to set up the appeal so quickly and to help us to pray in solidarity as a church’.