Jinishian News - Seven Months After the Earthquake, Syrians Struggle with Poverty and Trauma

After the earthquake, families slept in their cars and community centers for weeks for fear of aftershocks.

On Feb. 6, 2023, at 4:17 a.m., time stood still for Syrian-Armenian families living in and around Aleppo. Many were jolted from their beds as the earth rumbled around them — except this time it wasn’t missile strikes causing violent tremors, but a deadly 7.8-magnitude earthquake. After 12 years of conflict, families were displaced from their houses once again. To them, history was repeating itself: buildings collapsed, schools shut down and businesses literally crumbled. Families had lost loved ones during war, during the pandemic and now the earthquake.   Syrians, still grappling with a decade of conflict, are facing a rising humanitarian crisis. In August, the government increased the cost of medication, fuel, school tuition, food and transportation by 200%. Ninety percent of the population are living below the poverty line and need humanitarian aid. Children are malnourished, university students are skipping classes because they can’t afford transportation, and parents are working two to three jobs in order to provide for their family’s needs. Syria is sinking economically, and morale is sinking even lower.

JMP provided clothes to 595 children and 621 food parcels to families affected by the earthquake.

Despite the challenges, JMP is always there to support the Armenian communities in our three Syrian locations. With the help of their strong faith, our dedicated staff make every effort to stay positive so they can bring hope to our growing number of clients. JMP’s comprehensive program provides medication for chronic illness; helps with hospital and surgery bills; offers financial aid programs, social services, spiritual and emotional uplift; and more.

The faces of hope: JMP took 121 children on a field trip to provide a day of fun to uplift their spirits.

JMP has made a difference, but there is so much more to do. With your help, JMP can continue providing food, medication, renovations, spiritual uplift and more. Please consider making a much-needed gift to help support Armenian communities in Syria. You can make a direct impact on lives devastated by conflict and natural disaster.   We ask our Lord to bring peace to beloved Syria and to those who try to find the best life for their families.

“The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.”  –  Proverbs 22:9

Eliza Minasyan, Executive Director Jinishian Memorial Program   In gratitude

Please read JMP’s 2022 Gratitude Report and share with others.

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