Pope Francis sends thousands of medicines to Türkiye for earthquake victims

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Pope Francis sends ten thousand medicines to Turkey to help people recover from the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey. The papal almoner sent the medicines in cooperation with the Turkish embassy to the Holy See. Meanwhile, the Italian bishops embark on a fundraising campaign to help people in Syria and Turkey.

Written by Benedita Hare

The Department of Charitable Services sends more medicines to Istanbul, based on the Pope’s desire to provide more assistance to the victims of the devastating February 6 earthquake that struck Syria and Turkey and caused the death of 50,000 people.

An initial shipment left yesterday, and more shipments are continuing today. The Turkish Embassy to the Holy See provided guidance and instructions on more than 10,000 urgently purchased medicines.

Neighboring Syria, ravaged by earthquake and war with 15 million people in distress, has already received financial aid from the Pope in the past thanks to the Apostolic Nunciature, which helps coordinate the operation to help the population.

“We are sending help via Turkish passenger planes,” explains Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, papal legate. “We monitor the height and weight of the platforms. This effort is possible thanks to the help of volunteers.”

Sending pallets of medicines to Türkiye

Immediately after the earthquake in Turkey in February that displaced nearly two million people in Turkey, the Department of Charity sent medicines but also canned food such as rice, tuna, thermal shirts, diapers and many other items that can withstand the weather and even the cold. At the same time, the Archbishop of the Eastern Churches, Archbishop Claudio Gogrotti, began his mission in Syria and Turkey.

Group of Italian Bishops of Syria and Turkey

Last Sunday, parishes throughout Italy made their first batch of gifts intended for the populations of Turkey and Syria, according to a project carried out by the Italian Episcopal Conference. The fundraiser aims to be a “tangible sign of solidarity with the participation of all believers in meeting the material and spiritual needs” of the earthquake victims. The fundraiser for donations will run until April 30, 2023. Caritas Italia is also assisting in the efforts at www.caritas.it. To immediately meet the most urgent needs, the Italian Bishops’ Conference took an initial appropriation of €500,000 from its “8xmille” funds.

Aid to Turkey in preparation for shipment by national airlines

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