Hala (not her real name) is a 40-year-old widow and the sole supporter of her family. Following the 2023 earthquake that impacted their home in Aleppo city, Hala and her eight children were displaced to rural Aleppo. Unfortunately, having no financial means to pay for repairs, the family was forced to return and live in the damaged home.
With a tight budget, Hala was grateful to learn about a winter clothing distribution implemented by IOCC and partner GOPA-DERD (Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East, Department of Ecumenical Relations and Development), funded by the Romanian Orthodox Church. The program sought to provide families affected by the earthquake with new clothes to help them keep warm during the winter season. Hala and her family were given vouchers to shop at select stores, where they could choose the specific clothing they needed.
“My children were overjoyed with their new winter clothes—something they never had before,” Hala said. Thanks to this support from IOCC and GOPA-DERD, families like Hala’s can equip themselves for the upcoming fall and winter seasons and find some relief knowing they’re prepared.
