UCC and Disciples express support for partners following tragic earthquake in western Asia and southeastern Europe (with news and updates)

by Middle East and Europe | published on Feb 7, 2023

Tragic images and reports continue to circulate of the massive devastation caused by earthquakes and aftershocks in western Asia and southeastern Europe early this week. We offer our prayers for the souls of those who have perished, for the healing of those who have been injured, and for the safety and comfort of those who survived and are displaced, homeless, frightened, and traumatized.

We petition our loving and compassionate God for strength for those who are already responding to search for those who may be lost, to deliver medical care to those in need, and to console and encourage the many who are now wondering what is next. And we offer encouragement to our partners throughout the region – in Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Greece, and beyond – who are working tirelessly to be present in most appropriate ways.

The region is already scarred by war, economic crises, and the impact of external policies. Our partners in the region are calling on the global community to lift sanctions on Syria, a country torn by 12 years of strife, so that humanitarian assistance can be provided without any hindrance. We support that call.

These partners, who are well-practiced in emergency response, are already in motion to respond to the immediate needs of communities that were destroyed in an instant. We will support their efforts.

And partners who are in and of the region will accompany those same communities for the longer term when the initial devastation is no longer in the news. We will accompany them as we have before.

In this time when lives are turned upside down, we remember the millions in the region who are displaced from their homes and communities because of this earthquake, previous natural disasters, and by human caused tragedies such as war, many for multiple times.

We stand with partners that the dignity of every human being may be affirmed, and that every person may taste the abundant life God promises.

God have mercy. Amen.

Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer General Minister and President United Church of Christ	Rev. Teresa Hord Owens General Minister and President Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia A. Thompson Associate General Minister United Church of Christ Co-Executive, Global Ministries Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ	Rev. Marco Cable, President Division of Overseas Ministries Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Co-Executive, Global Ministries Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ

Related:

Statement of the Middle East Council of Churches
Statement of the Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East
UCC News stories:
- “UCC offers prayers, launches appeal to aid Turkey and Syria after earthquake” (Feb. 14)
- “Deadly earthquake strikes Turkey/Syria border, UCC delegation in Europe connects with partners to respond” (Feb. 6)
Week of Compassion story: “Turkey & Syria” and update (Feb. 10)
Rev. Teresa Hord Owens’ video message
World Council of Churches story: “Aid and prayers from churches across the world stream in for earthquake survivors” (Feb. 7)
“ACT Alliance responds to a sea of needs in wake of Turkey-Syria earthquake” (Feb. 21)

Take Action:

Global Ministries Action Alert: Tell the Biden Administration to Lift Sanctions on Syria to Support Earthquake Relief Efforts
Letter to the Biden Administration (Feb. 17) “Faith Leaders to Biden: Lift Sanctions, Expedite Relief to Syria and Turkey“

Relief update:

You can give to support relief efforts:

United Church of Christ Global HOPE (Please designate “International Emergency” on this donation page.)
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Week of Compassion (Please designate your gift on this page.)