Providing shelter and basic necessities - What next?

Written February 2023.

"We've lost everything. We were only able to save our own lives, we couldn't salvage much from the rubble.

​I have lived in Jenderis for about 25 years. I have a house and my son has a house. During the earthquake I was awake, not asleep. At 4:15 a.m., there was an earthquake. After the earthquake, I went down and saw that all the surrounding buildings were collapsed. We lost each other at that hour.

After an hour, we gathered with each other, and we did not lose anyone, not one person, thanks to God, but our homes were destroyed. 

That day it was raining, windy, and cold. We stayed in the rain for two days. After that, good-hearted people started coming to us, the first and the second day, one give us a tent, another gave us a tarp and food. We made due until today, when SARD teams arrived and distributed tents and non-food items to us. We are doing okay, we will be okay. Thank God, we are fine. We thank SARD for their assistance, as well as the other organizations."

SARD provided Abd Al-Rahim and others in his camp tents, bedding sets, and hygiene items. 

While we are glad that we were able to improve Abd Al-Rahim's living condition and others like him, we know that living in tents is not a long-term solution. Tents, exposed to the elements, can only provide limited protection and security.

Even while we continue to provide life-saving humanitarian aid, we must also start our early recover work now. Rubble removal and the rehabilitation of homes, schools, markets, roads, sewage and water lines, and more is essential for recovery. We invite you to join us in working towards a future where Abd Al-Rahim and his community can recover and thrive.