Watford MP Dean Russell joined the Watford Interfaith Association (WIFA) prayer gathering for the victims of the Turkey and Syria earthquake.
The moving service was held in the Peace Garden in Cassiobury Park and was attended by local faith leaders and politicians.
The death toll from the earthquake is over 41,000 since the 7.8 magnitude quake struck. As the situation on the ground moves into a new phase from rescue to recovery, the UK is committing a further package of support to address urgent humanitarian needs in Turkey and Syria.
The £25 million in new overseas aid will fund additional emergency relief, such as tents and blankets for families made homeless in freezing conditions, and the ongoing deployment of world-class UK medical expertise through the joint MoD-FCDO Field Hospital established in Turkoglu. It will support the work of the UN and aid agencies on the ground in Syria, helping communities ravaged by war and this national disaster, as well as the recovery effort in Turkey.
Speaking after the service Dean said that “the devastation wrought by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria has been devastating. I offer my condolences to all those impacted by this tragedy and my thoughts remain with all those affected, particularly those who lost loved ones.
Countless homes have been lost, as has key infrastructure in the region. I am grateful to WIFA for organising this prayer gathering so that people in Watford of all faiths could gather to offer condolences”
