On Feb. 6, 2023, two powerful earthquakes hit Türkiye and significantly impacted neighboring Syria. The first was a magnitude 7.8 earthquake in south central Türkiye, followed hours later by a magnitude 7.5 quake in the southeastern part of the country. The two quakes devastated Türkiye and Syria, collapsing thousands of buildings and damaging infrastructure. Thousands of people have been killed and thousands more have been injured, yet search-and-rescue efforts are only in the early stages. A cold and snowy weather system now moving through the region complicates response efforts.

Lutheran Disaster Response

Lutheran Disaster Response is committed to supporting ACT Alliance and other partners in responding to these earthquakes. Mere hours after the earthquakes hit, ACT Alliance member organizations began distributing emergency supplies, including medicines, bedding and other relief items. A comprehensive response will be coordinated as the full extent of the impact becomes clearer.

Lutheran Disaster Response has been active in this region for several years, partnering with ACT Alliance, the Lutheran World Federation and the Middle East Council of Churches to accompany Syrian refugees and internally displaced people with food, water, shelter, health services and sanitation support. The epicenter of one earthquake lies near Turkish provinces that host hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees, which will only exacerbate the refugee crisis in the region.

Your gifts designated for “Middle East Crisis” will be used entirely (100%) to provide long-lasting support for those whose lives have been impacted by disasters in the region.

Donate at elca.org/LDR.

Lutheran World Relief

We know Lutheran congregations are always among the first to respond and the last to leave in times of emergency.

Right now, your congregation can rush aid to our neighbors devastated by the earthquake in Turkey.

Our team is already coordinating a response, and it is your compassion and generosity that will rush emergency care.

Your congregation’s gift to our emergency response fund will deliver critically needed care for families, like water, medical care, shelter and essential supplies.

Please give online at lwr.org/quake