Earthquake Aid for Turkey and Syria Fund

To provide immediate relief to the families that suffered a catastrophic loss due to the earthquake that shook Turkey and Syria Monday morning, The Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States has opened the Earthquake Aid for Turkey and Syria Fund.

Proceeds from this fund will support missionary priests, religious women, and lay missionaries on the ground providing assistance to those impacted by the disaster, defined by Bishop Antoine Audo, SJ, Chaldean Bishop of Aleppo, in Syria, as a “tremendous bomb.” 

“While it is too early to know the full extent of the devastation wrought by the earthquake, experience tells us that the days ahead will be critical,” said Monsignor Kieran Harrington, National Director of The Pontifical Mission Societies USA. “Missionaries are ready to help, and the national director in Turkey is already working with local NGOs to ensure that every dollar sent goes directly to those most impacted by this tragedy.”

The Pontifical Mission Societies USA will distribute grants through Catholic dioceses and trusted partner organizations to ensure that the funds fully benefit the immediate and ongoing needs of communities impacted by this devastating event.

The death toll across Turkey and Syria has risen to at least 3,700. The World Health Organization warned that this number could increase eight-fold as freezing weather hampers rescue efforts and adds to the plight of the nearly 14,000 injured and homeless.   

“In upcoming days, these numbers will continue to go up,” said Monsignor Harrington. “Our hope is that Catholics in the United States will respond generously, providing critical resources to alleviate human suffering.”

Donations to facilitate pastoral care can be made to the Earthquake Aid for Turkey and Syria Fund here.

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The Pontifical Mission Societies USA is a 501(c)3 organization that helps provide financial and spiritual support to 1,150 dioceses around the world, in places where the Catholic Church is too young or too poor to sustain itself. It has decades of experience working with missionaries throughout the world, helping those in need.  For more information visit www.onefamilyinmission.org and follow The Pontifical Mission Societies USA on social media at Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.