TURKEY Bishop of Aleppo: the easing of sanctions is a positive sign in the drama of the earthquake

A shipment of aid from Saudi Arabia has arrived at the airport. It is the first plane from Riyadh to land in Syria in 10 years. But some regions, especially Idlib, still feel abandoned. Monsignor Audo: in addition to material needs, the population feels the strong need to “share the suffering and feel welcomed.” Women alone, with children in their arms, are the “first victims”.

Milan () – “Along with material needs” such as a roof, shelter, some food and drinking water, at this time “we strongly feel the need of the populations affected by the earthquake to share their suffering and feel accompanied” , explains the Chaldean Bishop of Aleppo, Monsignor. Antoine Audo, one of the centers most affected – along with the province of Idlib, controlled by rebels and jihadists – by the terrible earthquake on February 6 in Turkey and Syria. “We can count on groups of families -says the prelate- who organize the distribution of meals and coordinate interventions, which is a very positive element, together with the easing of sanctions”, and “collaboration between the Churches” in the ecumenism “of necessity”.

For the first time in 10 years, a Saudi plane carrying aid for earthquake victims landed in Aleppo today. According to reports from the Sana agency, the plane from Riyadh landed at the international airport with 35 tons of food and supplies on board. Two more Saudi planes are expected between tomorrow and February 16. This is the latest shipment from countries hostile to the Damascus government and President Bashar al-Assad, who have long supported rebel factions and jihadist groups in these years of conflict.

The earthquake, which killed almost 40,000 people in the entire area, according to estimates that are still provisional, is breaking – at least in part – the ten-year international isolation around Damascus. In addition, the US government has eased, at least partially, the economic and trade embargo which, combined with sanctions, has brought the entire country and its people to their knees. The Arab world is also showing solidarity, and Egypt and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have pledged their support in response to the request of the UN Undersecretary for Humanitarian Affairs, Martin Griffiths, who has denounced the slowness of international aid. Especially in the Northwest, in the hands of anti-Assad movements, where people “rightly feel abandoned.”

“Little by little – says Bishop Audo – we are organizing ourselves, thanks to the work of a commission that checks the state of the houses to facilitate the return of the displaced. Every day meetings are held between the bishops to discuss the situation and implement the most urgent interventions. Those who can, it is good that they return home”, continues the Chaldean bishop of Aleppo, although we “continue to welcome them. Many show signs of severe psychological trauma and, although their homes are intact, they refuse to return. There is an enormous need for consolation, for listening, for moral support in the midst of destruction. Since the war and going through the Covid -he observes- the difficulties have followed one another without interruption. What impresses me the most is seeing so many poor women, especially Muslims, with children in their arms and wandering the streets alone… they are heartbreaking scenes. I believe that women are the first victims of the earthquake.”

Many people knock on the door of the bishopric asking for help, even Muslims, and “we do what we can. In our center we have housed up to 150 people, we serve them dinner and a hot drink, and we guarantee them a bit of security and relief. They need to be listened to, I spend hours talking to them”. One of the positive signs is “the opening after years of isolation” with the partial lifting of international sanctions and the easing of the embargo. “Let’s hope something changes -says the prelate- and that for many this is a sign from heaven.” “Thanks to a contact with a Syrian general, we also got a truck with 5,000 blankets to distribute.”

“The most significant element of this tragedy – he concludes – is the climate of collaboration between Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants: every two days there is a meeting at the level of leaders to coordinate interventions, direct aid and distribute what comes thanks to donations of NGOs such as Aid to the Church in Suffering and L’Œuvre d’Orient, with people who have been working in Syria for 12 years” and who are well acquainted with “the ocean of needs”.