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In Aleppo, Syria, COVID-19 adds to ongoing suffering of Christians, especially the poor

Since Aleppo was retaken by the Syrian regime, a few of the better-off families have been able to repair their homes, but the majority of the Christian families are very poor. They are surviving thanks to the support of the local Church and with the help of organizations.

 

On March 19, to prevent infections, the Syrian government issued an order to close all shops for fear of and imposed a curfew from 6 PM until 6 AM. Just a few days later, on March 22, the Catholic bishops in Aleppo additionally decided to close all their churches as a protective measure.

There is little that can be done in a country where years of fighting has left the health-care system in tatters. Father Antoine Tahhan, an Armenian Catholic priest based in Aleppo, told Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) 

“Aleppo has lost many hospitals and health centers that were destroyed by the terrorists, for example the Al-Kindi hospital and the ophthalmic hospital. Much of the equipment and medical supplies have been looted, and many doctors have emigrated because terrorists abducted some of them and threatened to kill others.

As a result, the healthcare system is in a fragile state and this is at the root of the concern that the virus could spread among the population, especially among the Syrian Arab soldiers,” said Father Tahhan.

Since Aleppo was retaken by the Syrian regime a few of the better-off families have been able to repair their homes, but the majority of the Christian families are very poor; they are surviving thanks to the support of the local Church and with the help of organizations like ACN, which are providing emergency aid to help with rent, food and basic medical care for many of the poorest families in Aleppo and other parts of Syria.

“Without this help the Christians would not be able to return to their homes and preserve the Christian presence in the Middle East,” said the priest.

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