Religious Communities Continue Showing Compassion Toward Turkey and Syria

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo Mideum] As the death toll surges due to the powerful earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, the religious community is extending a helping hand.

First, the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism has raised 200 million won in donations. On the 13th, monks from the Jogye Order's General Affairs Office will visit the Turkish Embassy to express their condolences and deliver the donations.

Before delivering the donations, Jinwoo Sunim, the head of the Jogye Order's General Affairs Office, stated, "We offer our deepest condolences and sympathy to those who lost their lives and their bereaved families due to the earthquake. We earnestly pray for the swift rescue of many people still trapped under building debris, and we sincerely extend our heartfelt condolences to the people of Turkey who are experiencing profound grief and loss." The Jogye Order also announced that it will continue fundraising efforts to provide additional donations.

The Korea Christian Federation plans to raise 1 billion won in relief funds over the course of a month. Lee Young-hoon, the president of the Korea Christian Federation and senior pastor of Yoido Full Gospel Church, said in his Sunday sermon on the 12th, "All churches under the denominations affiliated with the Korea Christian Federation have decided to collect donations over the next month to send to Turkey. Let the entire Korean church unite to help Turkey, our brother nation affected by this disaster."

Syrian boy sitting on a pile of debris after losing his family
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, as of the afternoon of the 12th (local time), the death toll from the magnitude 7.8 earthquake and the 7.5 aftershock that struck southeastern Turkey and northern Syria on the 6th has surpassed 30,000. According to Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority and Syria's Ministry of Health, the death toll in Turkey is 29,605, and in Syria, it is 3,575.