Earthquake Relief to the Aleppo Museum

Inaugurated in 1938, the National Museum of Aleppo held the largest collection of monumental statues, artefacts, and inscriptions dating from the preclassical period (7000 – 300 BC) and discovered during archeological digs across Syria and during preventive excavations and rescue operations. The current building, erected at the end of the sixties, was not just an important tourist attraction but also a meeting point for the local community and professionals in cultural heritage until 2011. Although having been spared the worst of the bombings during the Syrian war, the museum nevertheless suffered damages from gunfire as well as partial flooding; whilst the windows shattered by neighboring explosions have exposed its collection to the elements. The earthquake in February 2023 struck just as the restoration of the building was beginning, leaving it without electricity, and consequently the ability to carry out repair works. To prevent further damage, this emergency project has the objective of installing solar panels to provide the required electricity for the work at the museum and to run the security system, computers, and the lighting. The damage caused by the earthquake is also currently being assessed, with a view of creating a report containing recommendations that will help steer the rebuild of the museum. Finally, debris must be removed, the premises cleaned, and the restoration of stone sculptures must be carried out.