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Last June, Rama (not her real name) and her family were attending Divine Liturgy at St. Elias Church in Damascus, as they did every Sunday—when suddenly, a bomb went off in the church.
Rama and her family survived, but one of her sons was badly injured. To make matters worse, he was the family’s breadwinner. Since he could no longer work, Rama, her two adult sons and three younger daughters, were left with no income—and terrible stress.
“After my son’s injury,” Rama recalled, “our expenses increased while our income stopped. I often worried about rent and food for my children.”
Seeking help, Rama registered with the Department of Ecumenical Relations and Development, the charitable arm of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East. There she learned that her family, and others affected by the attack, could receive help through an IOCC emergency assistance program.
Rama’s family is one of nearly 100 families that received one-time cash assistance to help relieve financial burden and to pay for essentials like food and rent. They were also invited to IOCC’s psychological first aid sessions, which provided support to more than 400 children and adults.
“The cash assistance helped us pay our rent and buy food, while the psychological support session gave me strength to cope with stress,” says Rama. “I feel more stable and hopeful now.”
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