John, the ripple effects from last week's catastrophic earthquake in Syria and Türkiye are immense. Tens of thousands of lives lost, millions in need of urgent assistance, and countless families left wondering what lies ahead.
Yet even in the wake of immense devastation, I find myself incredibly inspired by my fellow IRC colleagues in Syria and Türkiye who immediately jumped into action. They are committed to helping people recover from this crisis with the help of supporters like you.
Today, I wanted to share an eye-witness account from my colleague Bashar in Syria about what he's experienced this past week that especially moved me.
Bashar, an Economic Recovery and Development (ERD) Implementation Manager for the IRC in Syria, woke up to find the ground shaking beneath him and "terrifying sounds from outside" mixed with the cries of his wife and children.
He helped his wife and children out of the house, into the freezing rain, piled them into the car and drove them to a safe place. "I couldn't understand what was going on," he said. "Everything was collapsing around me."
After bringing his family to safety, Bashar went back to see how he could help his neighbors. He describes a scene of panic, confusion, grief and devastation:
"People have lost everything. They lost their homes. They lost their children. Children lost their fathers. Fathers lost their children. They lost their source of living. They lost everything they have and ended up out in the open."
— Bashar
Economic Recovery and Development Implementation Manager
International Rescue Committee
Bashar, pictured above, is part of the IRC team distributing emergency cash assistance for earthquake victims.
Bashar immediately took part in the IRC's emergency response in Syria. "We began distributing multipurpose cash assistance to 4,200 families suffering from the earthquake."
In the wake of the powerful earthquake, IRC staff members like Bashar are working tirelessly to ensure the safety and wellbeing of people in Syria. Our staff inside the country will be providing lifesaving health care and protection services along with other emergency early recovery support.
As humanitarian needs soar, we are launching an integrated response to affected populations across both Türkiye and Syria. We're working to provide cash, basic items like blankets and towels and hygiene supplies like soap, toothbrushes and feminine products. We are also running two mobile health teams to provide treatment and care to survivors.
To learn more about the IRC's response to the Syria–Türkiye earthquake — including ways you can help right now — bookmark this link: https://www.rescue.org/article/how-help-after-syria-turkey-earthquake
— Hank
Hank Walter
Senior Officer, Donor Communications
International Rescue Committee
P.S. We're committed to staying in places like Syria and Türkiye for many months — or even years — to come. One of the best ways you can support our long–term recovery efforts is by pledging a monthly gift to the IRC. Your monthly gift will help us
provide both immediate and long term support for those impacted by this deadly earthquake. Please, pledge your long–term emergency support and your first gift will be 2X–matched. »
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