CONTESTO & OBIETTIVO
Aleppo was, between 2014 and 2016, the epicenter of the Syrian conflict, which continues to rage to this day. Bombed multiple times and struck by the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that devastated Turkey and northern Syria in February 2023, the city now lies in a state of dramatic devastation.
Entire neighborhoods of the city have been reduced to rubble, and the majority of the Syrian population manages to make it through the month only thanks to humanitarian aid, with no access to electricity for more than two hours a day — at best. Over 250,000 people remain displaced, holding onto the hope that one day they might return to live in their homes.
Pro Terra Sancta has been active in Aleppo since January 2017, rebuilding houses destroyed by the war. Since 2023, the organization has expanded its mission to include targeted assistance for families affected by the earthquake.
Thanks to the support of our donors, in 2023 we rebuilt 260 houses in Aleppo, Azizieh, Latakia, Knaye, and Yacoubieh, restoring hope and a sense of normalcy to hundreds of people and families in need. Many of these families, selected based on the urgency and vulnerability of their situations, receive monthly support to cover housing expenses and food supplies, along with access to medicines and assistance with medical costs.
The reconstruction also included facilities dedicated to the treatment of cancer patients in Aleppo: through this project and the restoration of radiology equipment damaged during the earthquake, approximately 400 patients were able to resume their treatments.
Additionally, around 250 families regained access to heating and hot water thanks to the installation of solar panels.
This project had been active since 2022 to address the energy crisis plaguing Syria; however, the earthquake caused significant damage to many panels. Despite this setback, we repaired the damaged panels and continued producing new ones with a team of engineers from Pro Terra Sancta. In 2024, we plan to install approximately 300 systems in Aleppo Azizieh and East Aleppo.
Pro Terra Sancta has also recognized the importance of addressing the distribution of essential goods and the psychological impact of such a tragedy in Aleppo. For this reason, an Emergency Center is operating in the city to provide crucial assistance.
