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Current status of earthquake relief efforts around Antakya in Turkey
On May 22, 2023, we, three brothers from the FECG Speyer, traveled to the earthquake zone in Turkey for five days on behalf of CDH-Stephanus. Our goal was to assess the progress of the relief efforts, focusing particularly on the area around Antakya. On site, we observed that the devastating effects of the earthquake were still being felt immensely, even more than three months later. We also realized that many people were traumatized by their horrific experiences. We would like to share one of these many individual stories.
Aihan
Towards the evening of May 22nd, we met Aihan, a local Turk in his fifties who had lived in Germany for 15 years and had recently returned to his home village of Harbye in Turkey. When the earthquake, measuring approximately 7.8 on the Richter scale, struck the area around Antakya on February 6th, 2023, he was at home with his family. The powerful tremors caused the building to collapse, trapping Aihan, who was fleeing the house, among the rubble. His son was trapped as well, but was freed after just one hour. Aihan repeatedly called for help and tried unsuccessfully to climb out of the debris on his own. After five hours, he too was finally freed. A scar on his forehead still bears witness to the traumatic event.
In an instant, the father of three lost all his possessions. His car was also damaged by falling debris from the house, and his dentures were lost.
The pile of rubble in the foreground was the former house of Aihan.
On May 23rd, we visited his dwelling, which consists of a primitive tent. He shares this approximately 16-square-meter space with his wife and two daughters. They have no private bathroom facilities. It was difficult for us to witness the deplorable conditions in which he and his family currently live. The sanitary conditions are appalling. There is no toilet, let alone a shower. During our conversation with Aihan, he described his situation as follows: "I am dead."
A few weeks before our meeting, a missionary approached him and told him that there was hope in Jesus Christ. He had learned that the Son of God himself wanted to give him a new life and free him from the guilt of his sins. After this conversation, Aihan believed in the Lord Jesus and now has the hope of eternal life.
After visiting his home, the brothers decided to help this family and agreed on the following financial support:
- Assistance with clearing the debris
- Construction of a 25m² wooden house
- Construction of a roof (for protection from sun and rain) for Aihan's relatives and friends
We will report again once the work is completed.
We thank all supporters of this project for any kind of help and hope to be able to help many more people in the earthquake area through your contribution.
Walter Gesswein, Municipality of Speyer
More information about the project and the opportunity to donate: