Canadian Jesuits International (CJI) has raised $269,095 to help victims of the deadly February 6 earthquake in northwest Syria.

CJI is sending donations received from Canadians to its international partner, Jesuit Refugee Services (JRS) Syria, whose staff is working on the ground to address the needs of those most affected in Aleppo, where about two million people have been affected by the earthquake. As many as 5.3 million people may have been left homeless in Syria by the devastating earthquake, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

JRS Syria staff are providing emergency services, including food and shelter, as well as psychosocial support.

“It is with deep sorrow that we hear the stories of our Syrian colleagues and friends, whose own lives have been affected by years of civil war and now the earthquake,” said CJI Executive Director Jenny Cafiso. “They have worked tirelessly to support their fellow citizens and neighbours, and now they have once again mobilized in the face of such tragedy. We are happy to be able to support them thanks to the generous support of so many Canadians.”