Desperate Conditions Afflicting Syria

In earthquake-stricken areas of Syria, many people are homeless and lack basic needs. TWR strives to bring hope to the hopeless. [ Image by TWR ]

Syrians feel alone and isolated from the world. Due to the ongoing civil war, they already lacked security before the earthquakes. A TWR colleague recalls the words of one survivor, “Either you get hit from above or below. Earthquakes are inside us, not just outside.”

Our colleague went on to describe the overall mood: “Without hope, people are walking on the earth, yet they’re dead on the inside. I don’t have enough words to describe the trauma people are going through.”

Poor living conditions in Syria could spark an outbreak of cholera and other communicable diseases, Al Jazeera reported. With millions of Syrians homeless and lacking clean water, many fear disease. Our TWR colleague was moved when she saw men crying, and children who are naturally playful with terror in their eyes. Still, these sad realities haven’t hindered the team’s strong conviction that Jesus will bring spiritual restoration. 

By God’s grace, TWR’s team in Syria is safe. They are producing hope-filled content, but the lack of electricity is a struggle. Every seven to eight hours, they only get one hour of electricity. When the team visited a church studio they collaborate with, the temperature was a bitterly cold 24.8 F. Reliable electricity is a priority, so the team is looking for a long-term solution, such as solar panels. 

Many Syrians have smartphones, so TWR staff members want to use QR codes to share gospel-centered programs. Due to the various sanctions against Syria, marketing within the country is limited, so the team is planning on-the-ground campaigns to get the word out.

In recent developments, an Arabic version of Biblica’s When Your Whole World Changes will be aired on medium-wave broadcasts. This Bible-based crisis-relief content helps those dealing with shock, trauma and anxiety. It will be integrated within the weekly Hope for Syria programs and will be available on the main TWR Arabic website, podcasts, Instagram and Facebook.

Sanctions are preventing humanitarian aid from coming into the country. That’s why our team has been purchasing necessities from within the country to help those suffering. “When he was on earth, Jesus fed people when they were hungry and washed his disciples’ feet,” said TWR’s colleague who visited Syria. “He served, and I believe that all of us need to learn to serve.”

‘Almost erased from the map’

Soner, the general manager for our ministry friends at Shema Media Group, gave a striking recap of the situation in Türkiye:

“This earthquake affected almost 20 million people. The government’s official death toll is 45,000, but most people think the actual number is 150,000 to 200,000 because many victims haven’t been counted. There were many undocumented refugees and tourists, and many people are missing or in the hospital, so that’s why it seems that at least 100,000 people died in this massive earthquake. 

“According to the official number, 165,000 houses cannot be used, especially in Antakya, which was almost erased from the map.”

Just three weeks before the earthquakes, Shema Media Group started a radio station in Antakya, the biblical city of Antioch, and began airing Christian music. “We were just warming up when the earthquake happened, and we lost our signal because there was no electricity,” Soner said. Only about a week after finding a temporary fix for the station’s antenna, another earthquake struck. Again, the station lost signal.

Recently, they regained signal, and Soner is unwavering in his goal to spread the love of Christ. He plans to strengthen the signal by placing a container with a generator near the antenna since there is no place in the city to keep their equipment.

As people look for answers, Soner and his team want to be sensitive to people’s needs. They are broadcasting peaceful music that connects with those grieving. Soner described the style of music as crying out to God in a posture of listening for his voice and soaking in his presence. Programs about working through grief and trauma are now a high priority for Shema Media Group.

“We will not forget who died,” Soner explained. “Praise God that he is talking to us and giving us new songs, inspiration from Scripture and a new perspective. We will listen and encourage people according to their needs. We will stay with them, and I think this will take a long time, but praise God that we can talk to the people and help renew these nations.”

TWR remains focused on its strength: using media to spread the news of Jesus. To that end, we have set up an emergency fund that will support our partners and ministry contacts in both Türkiye and Syria. If God is calling you to get involved, you can take action here.

Prayer points:

• For Syria, pray that sanctions are removed so that more aid can come into the country.
• Pray that TWR’s Syria team can be an encouragement to the local cooperating church where a studio is housed. Ask for God to provide a consistent source of electricity for that church and studio.
• Pray against any outbreak of cholera or other communicable diseases.
• Both in Türkiye and Syria, media team members need spiritual strength as they grapple with new and intense challenges. Ask the Lord to pour out the joy of his Spirit on each team member, so they can continue encouraging people around them.
• As Shema Media Group enhances their radio signal in Antakya, pray that they find a reliable, long-term solution.
• Many brothers and sisters in Christ have chosen to remain in the earthquake zones to help in any way they can. Pray that God brings spiritual and physical healing to the earthquake survivors through these believers.