In Syria, HEKS/EPER not only implemented immediate measures directly after the earthquake but is also actively involved in the long-term recovery and stabilization of the war-ravaged country. The focus here is on rehabilitating infrastructure and building economic resilience. HEKS/EPER is rehabilitating public bakeries, flour mills, water and sanitation infrastructure in governorates affected by the earthquake. These interventions enhances the population's access to bread, water, sanitation, and hygiene services (WASH) and thus prevent the spread of water-borne diseases.
Emergency aid measures
Just a few hours after the earthquake, HEKS/EPER initiated emergency aid measures in cooperation with local church partner organizations, in which churches and schools were made available as emergency shelters for the homeless people. In addition, HEKS/EPER together with its partner organization «Finn Church Aid» supported over 1000 families with cash assistance.
Rehabilitation of bakeries
Bread is the most important staple food in Syria, subsidized by the public sector and sold at five percent of production costs, making it a lifeline for the 90 percent of people living below the poverty line. However, In the earthquake-affected areas, most public bakeries were damaged to varying degrees, resulting in decreasing production and leading to severe bread shortages and hunger. True to the motto «Bread for all», HEKS/EPER carried out the largest bread emergency relief operation in Syria: the team rehabilitated the buildings of 18 public bakeries, repaired defective production lines and provided additional production lines to increase bread production capacity. This comprehensive project ensure sustainable access to affordable bread for more than one million people.