Greek Orthodox Archdiocese earthquake relief funds – with great support from the National Philoptochos and in collaboration with the IOCC – are disbursed in Turkey – American Greek Orthodox Archdiocese

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The Greek Orthodox Diocese earthquake relief funds – with great support of the National Philoptochos and in cooperation with the IOCC – are disbursed in Turkey

New York, NY (July 21, 2023) – His Eminence, Archbishop of America Elpidophorus is pleased to announce that the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese (GOA) Relief Fund for Turkey and Syria has raised a total of $700,000 and is now ready for disbursement through GOA’s collaboration with International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC).

The GOA Relief Fund was launched in February 2023 in the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, and features generous donations from parishes, believers, and affiliated organizations, including a $250,000 donation from Philoptochos Orthodox Ladies and its local chapters. It was specifically designed to help those displaced by earthquakes in Turkey, where an estimated 2.7 million people have lost their homes.

His Eminence Bishop Elpidophoros said: “After months of catastrophic earthquakes and aftershocks in Turkey, many of our sisters and brothers continue to deal with unimaginable material and emotional losses.” “I pray that our offerings will provide comfort and care to those who are rebuilding a way forward, and that the Lord will grant peace to those suffering the loss of loved ones and their livelihoods.”

The Archdiocese’s cooperation with the IOCC will support communities in Antakya (ancient Antioch) and nearby towns and villages in Hatay Province, as the IOCC has worked closely with the local Orthodox Church to identify and assess the needs of families in the area. Accordingly, the GOA Earthquake Relief Fund will be administered to:

Construction of 20 prefabricated homes on local church land for temporary and transitional shelter connected to electricity, water and sanitation. Displaced families will live close to their damaged properties in Antakya, facilitating faster recovery, return home, and re-use of prefabricated homes by other families in need.

Provide one-off cash assistance through local retailers to approximately 540 households, selected by a panel of local clergy, local diocesan institutions (similar to parish councils), and the IOCC, according to established criteria.

Building on its proven track record in humanitarian relief, the expert IOCC team on the ground will monitor and evaluate project progress. The aim is to improve the living conditions of internally displaced families – particularly those with children, elderly members or individuals with special needs – and to ease the financial burden on the local Orthodox Church and host families, who have provided shelter to the displaced since the immediate aftermath of the earthquake.

The IOCC supplement of approximately $100,000 covers the remaining costs of the project. Implementation will begin in July 2023 and completion is expected in December 2023.

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