ANTAKYA, TURKEY — Samaritan’s Purse is providing 21,000 units of refrigerators, fans, and shade kits to earthquake survivors in Turkey who are living in tents. The relief supplies are part of a project to help families combat extreme heat in the region.

Bryan Dodson – Samaritan’s Purse:

We are in the Antakya, Turkey, which is approximately 12 hours southeast of Istanbul and only 30 miles from the Syrian border. We are approaching six months after the devastating February 6 earthquake. Since the immediate earthquake, where the weather was extremely cold, now we’ve shifted to summer, where temperatures soar toward 100 degrees. It’s extremely hot, extremely windy. There’s a significant amount of dust in the air constantly.

Right now we’re in the final phases of our summerization project, which is to make the tents more livable in the extreme summer conditions. Samaritan’s Purse is distributing 21,000 units of refrigerators, fans, and shade kits. Samaritan’s Purse is here in Antakya, Turkey, working with our partner, First Hope Association. One of the key people we’re working with is Hasan, who is the project coordinator on the ground.

Hasan Sahdaz – First Hope Association:

We are here to make their lives easier and more comfortable. We are here to help them. To show God’s love in people’s lives.

Bryan:

He has this ability to relate to the people, especially to the children. The children gravitate toward him. He really cares about the quality of the work we’re doing. And just the overall plight of the people, it sits in his heart.

Hasan:

Because the Scripture says we are the work of God. Mathew 5:16 tells us, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Of course the word of God says again, “We are the children and his light on earth. In this way, we can show the love of God and the glory of God. His reality, His existence, and His salvation, only by helping people.

Bryan:

Samaritan’s Purse is known for being first in and last out on most disasters. And it’s very much the case here. And the resources for the area are limited. And it’s organizations like Samaritan’s Purse that fill the gap.

Dan Tims – Samaritan’s Purse:

The reason that we’re still here in Turkey is because of the huge need of so many people that have lost their lives. And you can imagine how many families are suffering because of that. They’ve lost their home. The reason that we’re still here is to try to help them in any way that we can. Through the Summarization Project is what we’re involved with right now.

Bryan:

We can see it in the eyes of the people as we bring this relief to them. Just the sheer joy in their eyes, the relief in their eyes, the thankfulness in their eyes. It tells us a lot. As we move further away in time from the earthquake event, sometimes it’s forgotten.

Please, through your prayers, let the people know that they are not forgotten as they continue their recovery from this earthquake, as we share the love of God in Jesus’ name.

Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan’s Purse has helped meet the needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God’s love through His Son, Jesus Christ. The organization serves the Church worldwide to promote the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Samaritan’s Purse International Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) program is committed to meeting the critical needs of victims of war, poverty, famine, disease, and natural disaster. We stand ready to respond at a moment’s notice whenever and wherever disaster strikes. The DART specializes in providing water, food, shelter, and medical care while sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

CONTACT: Kaitlyn Lahm, news@samaritan.org

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