Bishop of Aleppo: Easing of sanctions is a positive sign in the wake of the tragic earthquake
Saudi aid is unloaded at Aleppo airport, the first time a Saudi plane lands in Syria in 10 years. In some areas, especially in the Idlib region, people still feel abandoned. For Bishop Audo, in addition to material needs, people need to sense that others feel for their suffering and accept them. Lonely women, with children in their arms, are the “top victims”.
Milan (AsiaNews) – “In addition to material needs" like a roof, shelter, some food and drinking water, at this point in time, "we strongly sense that the people affected by the earthquake need others to share their suffering and make them feel accepted,” this according to Chaldean Bishop Antoine Audo of Aleppo.
Along with Idlib, which is held by rebels and jihadis, Aleppo suffered the most from the 6 February earthquake that devastated parts of Turkey as well.
“We can count on groups of families who have organised meal distribution and coordinate other interventions,” the prelate explained. This is “very positive, together with the easing of sanctions”. At the same time, “cooperation among Churches" is getting stronger in the ecumenism "of need”.
Today, for the first time in 10 years, a Saudi plane landed at Aleppo International Airport with 35 tonnes of food for earthquake victims. Two more Saudi planes are expected tomorrow and Thursday, the SANA agency reported.
This is the latest aid from one of the countries opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his regime; during the country’s civil war, Saudi Arabia backed rebel and jihadi groups.
The quake, which has killed almost 40,000 people so far, has partially reduced Syria’s international isolation. This includes the United States, which has eased its economic and trade embargo, which, combined with sanctions, had brought the country and its people to their knees.
Signs of solidarity are also coming from the Arab world. Egypt and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have positively responded to the appeal by the UN Under-Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths.
The latter complained about the slow international aid, specifically referring to areas in Syria's rebel-held northwest. "They rightly feel abandoned," he twitted.
For his part, Bishop Audo noted: "Little by little, we are organising, thanks to the work of a committee that verifies the state of the houses to facilitate the return of displaced people.” To this end, “bishops meet every day to discuss the situation and take the most urgent steps.
“Those who can should go back home”, but “we continue to take in [people], and many complain of severe psychological trauma. Although their homes are unbroken, they do not feel like returning. There is great need for sympathy, a friendly ear, and moral support amid so much destruction. Hardships just kept piling up, from the war to COVID-19.
“What impresses me the most is to see so many poor women, especially Muslim women, with children in their arms who wander alone in the streets ... These are harrowing scenes; here, women, in my opinion, are the top victims of the earthquake.”
Many people come to the Bishop’s House for help, including Muslims, and "we do what we can. At our centre, we took in up to 150 people, providing dinner, a hot drink, a bit of safety and support. They need to be heard, I spend hours talking to them."
One positive sign is "the opening after years of isolation" with the partial lifting of international sanctions and the easing of the embargo.
"We hope something will change and for many this might be a sign from heaven. Thanks to a contact with a Syrian general, we also managed to get a lorry with 5,000 blankets to hand out to everyone."
"The most significant part of this tragedy is the atmosphere of collaboration between Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants,” the bishop said.
“Every two days we meet to coordinate what to do, direct aid, and distribute the donations that come from international NGOs such as Aid to the Church in Need and L'Œuvre d'Orient, people who have been active for 12 years in Syria" and who know well “how much is needed”.
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