This YouTube interview (uploaded Feb 12, 2023) documents Holly Furtick speaking with Isdihar, an organization leader working with partner Open Eyes, about earthquake relief for Turkey and Syria after a 7.8 magnitude quake. The speakers note the human toll (death toll stated as over 22,000 at time of recording), describe planned relief logistics (transporting blankets, clothing, food from Lebanon, driving ~6–8 hours to northern Syria), and record that Elevation Church presented a $25,000 check to support the work.
Questions this video answers
7.8 magnitude
Over 22,000 people
$25,000
Blankets (transcript lists "30 blankets, 300 blankets"), 100 pajamas (made by girls at the sewing school), handmade wool coats for children
Approximately six to eight hours
Chapters
Earlier this week, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit the border of Syria and Turkey. And as I'm recording this, the death toll is currently over 22,000 people, and that number continues to grow, in addition to the thousands more who've been injured. And we're so saddened to see the devastation that this earthquake has had. And we are all watching the footage knowing that even those who have survived have lost everything. I just spoke with Isdihar, an organization leader with our partner. She said that they're all reeling from the loss of loved ones while they're working around the clock to prepare to head into these most affected areas. But we're not just praying. I was able to present Isdahar with a check for $25,000, and that's just one of the partners that we're going to be supporting financially this weekend. I just wanted to say thank you to you who are praying and to those of you who are giving. We could not do this without you. Every gift makes a difference, and we know that hard days are still ahead, but we're committed to continue to do our part in relief efforts and showing compassion across the world. Izdihar, can you tell us how you are going to provide relief? What are you and your team going to be doing when you get to Syria?
So what we are going to do, we will take the supplies from Lebanon in a big truck. We already have 30 blankets, 300 blankets. We have 100 pajama that are made by our girls at the sewing school. So they are sewing it right now, and it will be done by Tuesday. For kids, we have wool stuff, are knitting handmade heavy clothes like coats. And, you know, because it's too. It's too cold there. Also, we're going to buy some food because, you know, for a long time Syria has been under sanction and there's not many things you can buy from there. And we go to drive almost six or eight hours to reach the areas there north of Syria.
Tell me about your partnership with Open Eyes.
Oh, I love them. There was a time when I felt like Moses in the Old Testament that, you know, he used to raise his hands and sometimes he feel like he can't anymore, so his hand gets tired. Then his brother Heron helped him to raise his hand so that the people of God will continue the work. This is what Open Eyes did for us. There was a time when I felt like, oh, God, I can't anymore. I'm so tired. We don't have enough supplies. We don't have. And Lebanon is going through deeply hard time, and they are supporting us now to build clinics life center. So I really appreciate being partners with us.
I just personally want to thank you for the work that you're doing. I want to thank you for gathering the team that you're going to take and the volunteers and the supplies and. And I just want to tell you that the people of Elevation Church, we are so grateful for people like you who are going into this situation and. And. And providing relief and providing hope and providing warmth for these people who are suffering so greatly. And the generous people of Elevation Church, we have a check for you. We believe in the work that you're doing. This is for $25,000.
Wow. Wow. Wow. That's so generous of you. I never had. You know, I never expected this. Thank you so much. You made me. You know, I. I'm really touched. You are great people, and I. I really feel like we are one body. Thank you so much for this. Will help me have more hope and continue in this hard work.
You have our support. You have our prayers. We're going with you as you go into Syria, and we're just so grateful for you.
