AMU has been working in Syria for some time with two projects: Seeds of Hope and RestarT . Our collaborators in this country are constantly sending us news about the dramatic situation that the Syrian population – already long tried by the war – is experiencing in these last days. These are the latest updates from Aleppo.
Update February 19 – Aleppo
The RestarT teams in Aleppo and Homs have resumed work after the safety checks were carried out in the offices where they work. Domingos Dirceu Franco, executive director of the RestarT program: “With the Aleppo team we will visit each of the beneficiaries of the projects to listen to them and share together what we have all experienced here. RestarT also needs a “restart” now and we will start by listening and sharing our stories with each other”.
Update February 17 – Aleppo
After the first shock on February 6, there were many other shocks in the following days, but they were quite light. Many had returned to work. People had started to leave the reception centers and go home. But on the evening of February 16, around 11:00 local time, there was a stronger shock with its epicenter in Turkey and about 130 km from Aleppo. It was felt in Aleppo, Latakia and also Damascus. Many people in Latakia and Aleppo went out into the streets and did not sleep. Insecurity and fear returned. The death toll in Syria is about 9000.
Update February 15 – Aleppo
The situation is catastrophic, especially in Aleppo, Hama Latakia, Jableh and Banya. Many are still missing, or under the rubble. The number of deaths increases every day, hospitals are full, thousands of people are in shelters (schools, churches, mosques), or displaced in Homs. We are contacting the beneficiaries of AMU projects to check on their health.
Update February 14 – Aleppo
The situation is truly dramatic: thousands of people have abandoned their homes, either because the buildings are at risk of collapsing, or because they have already collapsed. Or because of great fear. Entire families – with women, children, newborns, elderly people – are taking refuge in schools, churches and mosques: here they find food, blankets and medicines. This aid comes from Christian and Muslim NGOs, and from the Red Crescent. In this context, digging through the rubble or securing the buildings is not at all easy, since the rescuers have only rudimentary equipment at their disposal. The sound of ambulance sirens echoes continuously through the city streets.
Update February 13 – Aleppo
The AMU office in Aleppo, which was emptied last Friday because the building was deemed unsafe following the violent earthquake, is back in operation after a technical inspection declared it fit for use.
Update February 11 – Aleppo
Rows of trucks carry bodies pulled from the rubble. Helicopters fly overhead continuously: some bring water to put out the large fire that broke out at the port, others bring international aid. Caritas Anatolia distributes basic necessities. The internet only works in some parts of the city.
Update February 10 – Aleppo
There is no drinking water and gas to prepare food. There are food distribution points. Many people are still under the rubble, in some places digging has just begun . A devastating fire has broken out in the port that is difficult to put out. Those who can are helping those in need. Electricity is gradually returning to some areas of the city. Aid is arriving, sent by the Apostolic Vicar of Istanbul, Monsignor Massimiliano Palinuro.
Update February 7 – Aleppo
It is raining and very cold. During the night practically everyone slept on the streets, those who could in cars or in churches. Many quickly left the city to go to distant villages. In Lattakia many inhabitants went to the mountains for fear of a tsunami. The fear is great. Few have the courage, especially in some areas, to return to their homes. The first victims are extracted from the rubble.
Update February 6 – Aleppo
A very violent earthquake hits Syria and Turkey: magnitude 7.8 In addition to the strong tremors, there were about fifty aftershocks throughout the day. The number of deaths in Aleppo is not known exactly, they say about 300. The injured are more than a thousand (but it is a very approximate count). There are about 40 buildings collapsed, especially very old ones and already damaged by the war. Many terraces collapsed on the street, almost completely destroying many cars and injuring those trying to leave their homes. There were also many victims and destruction in Lattakkia and Hamma.
