Syrian family narrates how it survived the earthquake 

The effects of the devastating earthquake that struck northwestern Syria were not limited to the direct impact and the victims it left behind in terms of the dead and injured. Rather, its effects extended to include various aspects of life, including housing, education, health and services.

The earthquakes  caused one of the biggest disasters to impact the region in recent times. Tens of thousands of people have been killed and many more have been injured. Thousands of buildings have collapsed, leaving countless people exposed to unforgiving winter conditions.

Syriatimes e-newspaper visited the temporary shelter center of  ”Jamal Da’oud” in Lattakia where a number of families stay as their houses were demolished by the earthquake.

“The hardest thing in life is to face death twice with your family – earthquake and prior to that terrorism .To see fear in the eyes of your innocent children and not know how to protect them” Mrs .Huda Al-Hayek told the Syriatimes.

She pointed out that she with her three little children and husband were forced to leave their village “ Al-Qasatel” in Lattakia countryside where they subjected to acts of violence and aggression carried out by the terrorist groups who burnt their house during the terrorists war on Syria.

“ I will never forget that night when the earthquake happened. It was a very cold night and there were horrible moments. I was very afraid. Should I save my three children who were  sleeping peacefully , or should I help my husband who has an amputated leg” Mrs. Al-Hayek said.

She went on to say “ I embraced my children and helped  my husband  to save them .While  we were rushing  out of the house it began to collapse until we miraculously survived”.

“My weapon through which  I faced death both times is faith in God, patience and hope that I will not lose, no matter how bad the circumstances are”.

In turn, her  husband Nawaf Ahmed Rajab, one of the wounded Syrian  army personnel  told the Syriatimes “ while I was performing my national duty in the eastern Ghoutta in Damascus countryside, a mine exploded which caused the amputation of my leg”

He pointed out that his injury was the source of his strength , determination and persistence to continue his life and establish his own small project. 

“ The small  grocery store that I opened  with the support of the Jareeh Al-Wattan project  also collapsed. I lost everything except hope . I will never give-up” he said.

Mrs. Safa’aBoddour, the director of “ my project”  program of the Syria Trust for Development and the supervisor of the “Jamal Da’oud”  Shelter Center, told the Syriatimes that the Syria trust for development has played a major and fundamental role in dealing with the repercussions of the earthquake  especially securing shelters for those affected, in coordination with various sides  including the Red Cross and Red Crescent societies , UNICEF, and NGOs to support them and alleviate their suffering.

She pointed out that they seek to meet  the affected families’ needs and distribute all aid sent by Arab and foreign countries including food, household items, blankets, tents, hygiene products , medicines, and other items.

Interviewed by :RawaaGhanam

Photos by :RawaaGhanam