Although thousands of fallen trees were cleaned up by Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) volunteers after the hurricane struck Cape Breton, and some roofs were patched or tarped, the organization was unable to do more before winter came.

As the tragic toll of the Feb. 6 earthquakes continues to unfold in Syria, Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) is working with long-term partners in Aleppo and surrounding areas to meet urgent needs.

In the old city of Aleppo, Syria, Pastor Ibrahim Nseir stands on the pile of rubble that used to be his church. What was once a building where his congregation worshiped is now a pile of broken stones and dust. It’s a sunny February day, the bright sky a stark contrast to the destruction on the ground.