On 12 August 2024, an earthquake of 4.8 magnitude struck the western part of Syria, including the town of Salamiyyah. Over 60 people were injured and many houses were damaged to the point of being uninhabitable.

Amongst the houses badly damaged is M's (name not disclosed to protect his identity) family home where his mother, sister, and her young daughter live. His three cousin's houses are also badly affected.

The damage comes on top of pre-existing damage from previous earthquakes in Syria and on top of damage caused by the war in Syria. In 2013, the city centre was rocked by a violent explosion which caused destruction to many houses and shops.

M's mother's home is no longer inhabitable, and the family cannot afford to repair it. He is looking for support to reinforce the structure of the walls, as well as fix all the cracks so they can live there again. M's cousins face the same predicament and are looking for similar support.

Salamiyyah remains a government controlled area in Syria, with aid also tightly controlled by the regime. This means that very little aid actually reaches the people who need it. With your support M's family and extended family they will be able to rebuild their homes and live in safety.