(Above) Rescue teams continue to search for survivors among the debris left by the devastating earthquake in Syria and Turkey. (Photo: Khaled Akacha@pexels.com)
Marco Carvalho
Last Wednesday, Caritas Macau opened accounts in five banking institutions in Macau – Bank of China, Delta Asia Bank, OCBC, Luso International Bank and ICBC – with the aim of raising donations to support the victims and the reconstruction efforts in east Turkey and northern Syria, after a devastating series of earthquakes killed thousands.
On both sides of the border, buildings have collapsed and rescue efforts are underway to recover survivors from piles of rubble. Freezing winter weather is only adding to the devastation, as the thousands who were left injured, trapped or homeless are stuck in the bitter cold and freezing rain.
Catholic aid agencies worldwide are coordinating and sending aid to both Turkey and Syria and Caritas Macau is no exception. Apart from opening the bank accounts to collect donations, the organization will place donation boxes in schools, restaurants and bank offices across the city.
“Our aim is to place these boxes at as many places as possible. At the moment, they are already available at Caritas Library, Saint John de Britto School, the Good Fortune Charity Shop and at ‘Delightful Kitchen’, our social support restaurant. We are working in order to place these donation boxes in other places and as soon as we do so, we will publish that information on our website,” Paul Pun Chi Meng told O Clarim. “We asked permission from stores and other entities to place these boxes there. They have to authorize us to place the boxes so that we can collect eventual donations,” the secretary general of Caritas Macau added.
Key Facts
- On February 6, 2022, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake occurred in southeastern Turkey and northwestern Syria.
- The earthquake toppled hundreds of buildings, has killed more than 37,000 people and left tens of thousands injured so far.
- Thousands have been exposed to winter conditions and without adequate access to food or shelter.
- Caritas Macau has opened accounts in five banking institutions in Macau to raise donations for victims.
- The fundraising campaign will last for three months and will include a street collection drive and a solidarity sales bazaar in Saint John de Britto School.
- The Catholic Diocese of Macau announced a special collection during Sunday Masses on February 12 in all local parishes to support those affected by the earthquake.
The donations can help provide urgent aid and assistance to vulnerable earthquake-hit communities. The fundraising campaign will extend over a period of three months, until May, during which Caritas intends to carry out a street collection drive as well as other initiatives. One of the most immediate – a solidarity sales bazaar – will take place in Saint John de Britto School, an educational institution which is part of the Caritas Universe.
“Usually, some people go directly to the Caritas facilities to deliver their donation. We stand grateful for their generosity, but we have to find other ways to appeal to garner solidarity for earthquake victims. At Saint John de Britto School, students will hold a three-day solidarity bazaar. All proceeds will go to the people that were affected by these tremors,” Paul Pun explains.
“This campaign will run for three months and the amount of funds raised will be sent to Turkey and Syria to support the reconstruction efforts. In Macau, it is likely that the collected donations will not amount to a very significant sum, but it is still a way of showing that we care about those in need. The people of Macau are generally very generous in supporting the victims of natural disasters, providing that someone encourages them to do so,” the secretary general of Caritas says.
Furthermore, local schools will join efforts to organize a charity march to raise funds to support earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria, Paul Pun told O Clarim.
The Diocese of Macau is also extending a helping hand to quake-hit Turkey and Syria. Bishop Stephen Lee Bun-sang had announced that there would be a special collection during Sunday Masses on February 12, in all local parishes. Via Caritas Macau, the donations will support those affected by the devastating earthquakes that shook both countries last week.
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