Press Release to express solidarity to the people affected by the earthquake

Support for Refugee Families Victims of the Earthquake in Türkiye

The Scalabrinian International Migration Network (SIMN) together with Agenzia Scalabriniana per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo (ASCS), express solidarity to the people affected by the terrible earthquake in Türkiye.

New York, February 15th, 2023 – The earthquakes that struck southeastern Türkiye and northern Syria on February 6th have devastated the lives of millions. Although the Scalabrinian Missionaries are not present in the region, back in 2019, a group of young volunteers of ASCS left from Gaziantep, to walk along the Balkan Route (Umanità Ininterrotta Project), where hundreds of migrants travel with the hope of reaching the borders of Europe. During that journey, ASCS met many refugee families from the affected area, whom we have also supported during the Covid19 Pandemic.

Since the tragedy occurred, we have been in touch with those families as well as with the local Church. The needs are growing as time passes by. SIMN Global and ASCS are committed to whatever it takes to provide necessary assistance to the refugee families and local population impacted by these earthquakes. Therefore, we are mapping the actions we will take to concretely make a difference for those in need.

In the upcoming days, we will have a clear picture of what steps we aim to take to support refugee families and locals who are suffering the devastating consequences of this tragedy. We know that solidarity, charity, fraternity, and faith are our allies in these difficult times.

“The families that already know the Scalabrinians need our help again, they lost their homes and family members, and we would like to continue to support them,” stated Fr. Jonas Donassollo, Responsible for the Intercultural Youth Work of the Scalabrinians in the EU.

Photo: Barbara Beltramello
Project: Umanità Ininterrotta of ASCS