“I will build you up again, and you will be rebuilt.”
[Feb.28.2023] More than 50,000 people died in earthquakes that hit Turkiye and Syria on the 6th. According to Reuters and DPA on the 24th (local time), the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) said the death toll in Turkiye due to earthquakes rose to 44,218. Syria’s death toll stands at 5,914. As a result, the total number of deaths in both countries reached 50,132, exceeding 50,000.
As a result of the earthquake, 530,000 people were evacuated from disaster areas in Turkiye alone, and more than 100,000 people were displaced in Syria. The Turkiye government has so far counted 173,000 buildings collapsed or severely damaged. As a result, more than 1.9 million people are staying in makeshift shelters, hotels or public facilities.
It is estimated that as many as 20 million people were affected by the earthquake in Turkiye. The United Nations estimated that 800,000 people in Syria were affected by the quake. More than 9,000 aftershocks have occurred in the earthquake-affected area since the strong earthquake on the 6th, according to AFAD.
240,000 rescue workers, including volunteers, are carrying out restoration work in 11 areas affected by the earthquake in Turkiye, but no survivors have been found in recent days. This earthquake was recorded as the 6th most deadly natural disaster in history in the 21st century. The disaster with the fifth highest number of deaths was the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan (73,000).
Meanwhile, in Turkiye, housing reconstruction work has begun, government officials said. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Türkiye has said the government will complete the reconstruction of the houses within a year. He said the government’s initial plan is to build 200,000 apartments and 70,000 village houses at a cost of at least $15 billion (19.7 trillion won).
U.S. bank JP Morgan estimates it will cost $25 billion to rebuild homes and infrastructure. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) estimated that 1.5 million people were displaced by the earthquake and that 500,000 new homes are needed.
UNDP also explained that it would request $113.5 million out of the $1 billion the UN is raising to help the earthquake-stricken area and use it to clean up the rubble. (Source: Yonhap News Agency)
The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. I will build you up again, and you, Virgin Israel, will be rebuilt. Again you will take up your timbrels and go out to dance with the joyful. (Jeremiah 31:3-4)
God, we pray for Turkiye and Syria which are suffering from immeasurable damage due to the earthquake and over 9,000 aftershocks. Please help the reconstruction work will take place speedily & smoothly so that people will have places to live. May the nations of the world provide support to the needy, and the churches will unite to help and support the affected countries and their people through Christ’s love. May You heal and restore the people in Turkiye and Syria so that they will rejoice in the hope and everlasting love of Christ.
Prayer 24·365
prayer@prayer24365.org
