The numbers are staggering – tens of thousands left homeless, without food and water, warm clothing, medicine, and other necessities – their homes and all their belongings reduced to mountains of rubble in the aftermath of one of the most cataclysmic earthquakes in history. Children frightened, freezing and hungry; elderly in need of medicine; faces wrought with despair; unimaginable suffering, and supplies scarce – these are the words of Franciscan Friars in Turkey and Syria responding to this humanitarian crisis of epic proportions. EVERY DOLLAR that you donate to The Franciscan Relief Fund will be used to purchase food and bottled water, blankets and warm clothes, medicine and medical supplies, toiletries and other necessities that the Friars will provide to these desperate children and families.

The Franciscan Relief Fund was established in 2020 to provide food and other assistance to people during times of natural disaster, disease, war, poverty and unemployment. Perhaps you supported The Franciscan Relief Fund’s recent campaign that raised nearly $1 million for humanitarian aid for the citizens of war-torn Ukraine, or made a donation that helped the Franciscans provide food assistance at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic to 5,598 laid-off workers in the hospitality, entertainment and service industries. The Franciscan Relief Fund again needs your support and generous Franciscan Heart as we focus on helping the earthquake victims of Turkey and Syria. So far, in a very short time, we have raised over $100,000. But the people in Turkey and Syria need so much more from us – from you and your generous Franciscan Heart. God bless you for your generosity.