Strong earthquake strikes Turkiye and Syria

08/02/2023

The Council General is closely following the situation

Soon after earthquakes shook several areas of Turkiye and Syria with repercussions in Cyprus and Lebanon on February 6^th   the Council General International immediately contacted the local leaders to verify the possible impacts on the Vincentian Conferences, our members and especially the people assisted.

• Turkiye: Sister Giovanna Taoussi, National President of Turkiye, reported that all members and assisted families are well since the Turkish Conferences are concentrated in the Istanbul region. The earthquake occurred in the south; no one was affected.
• Syria: Sister Ella Bitar (International Territorial Vice-president for the Middle East), reported that damages occurred in the Aleppo region, affecting Vincentians and assisted people.

The Council General International continues to monitor the situation daily, looking for other information to be able to measure the damage caused by the earthquake and thus be able to activate the departments that take care of global solidarity in this region.

Many Superior Councils inquired about the aid that will be sent to the affected areas. But until we have all the information regarding the situation on the ground, there is no need to send financial resources at this time. This may happen in the future.

The President General requests that at Conferences and Councils meetings to be held this week, three Hail Marys be prayed for the victims of this terrible earthquake, which has claimed thousands of lives. “This is an immense catastrophe that has caused pain and destruction. We are all devastated, along with the affected countries. Let us pray for Turkiye and Syria,” exhorted Brother Renato Lima.

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