Tearfund Holds Coordination Meeting with MECC and Partners in Syria

MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs from Balamand:

Let us work to strengthen cooperation to ensure a better future for all people of the region

With the blessings of His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Orthodox family, the international organization “Tearfund” held a general meeting with its new leadership, represented by CEO Silas Balraj, International Director Claire Tiffen, Regional Director Safa Hijazeen, Country Director for Syria and Lebanon Jamie Abraham, and Regional Advisor for Church and Community transformation Rami Kaskas. The meeting took place on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, in the conference hall of the St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology in Balamand, Lebanon.

The Middle East Council of Churches participated in the meeting, represented by its Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, at the head of a delegation that included Ms. Nina Hallak, Director of the Lebanon’s Office of the Diakonia and Social Service Department, and Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Coordinator of Media and Church Relations.

The meeting also brought together Leaders and representatives from the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Greek Orthodox Church, Maronite Church, Syriac Orthodox Church, Evangelical Presbyterian Church, and Evangelical Union Church. Attendees were also the Executive Directors of the Evangelical “Tahanan” Association, the Department of Ecumenical Relations, and the St. Ephrem Patriarchal Development Committee.

Words Emphasized the Importance of Upholding Human Dignity

As part of its visit to Lebanon, a delegation from the Presbyterian Church in the United States (PCUSA), a partner of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), visited the Council's headquarters in Beirut, on Thursday, January 22, 2026. They were received by the MECC General Secretary Professor Michel Abs, and of the General Secretariat team from various departments.

The meeting began with an opening Prayer raised by the visiting delegation on the intention of peace in the Middle East and the world, thanking God for the opportunity to work and cooperate with the Middle East Council of Churches. The delegation also expressed their pleasure at visiting MECC and their desire to learn about the latest developments in the region, as well as updates on the MECC work of, particularly as the delegation is part of a Syria and Lebanon Partnership network.

And Contributes in the Development of the SouthConnect Initiative

As part of empowering women in Lebanon and developing their capabilities, the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) organized a workshop entitled "SouthConnect," with the participation of women from various social fields and sectors. The workshop took place on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at the headquarters of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Sidon and South Lebanon.

This workshop was held in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, the "Al Majmouaa" Foundation, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the Lebanese Economic Institute, private sector companies, financial entities, and microfinance institutions (MFIs).

The Middle East Council of Churches Participates

What Are the Details?

The Lebanon Forum of the international ACT Alliance held its Yearly meeting on Monday, December 15, 2025, hosted by the Protestant Compassion Society at its headquarters in Rabieh, Lebanon.

The meeting brought together participants both in person and online, representing ACT Alliance member organizations in Lebanon from diverse Church families, associations, and local, regional, and international institutions. Among the attendees was the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), represented by Ms. Nina Hallak, Director of the Lebanon Office of the Diakonia and Social Service Department, and Dr. Laudy El-Khoury, Financial Director.

Participants reflected on the increasingly challenging living conditions in Lebanon and across the Middle East, and explored ways to strengthen their humanitarian responses to address the urgent and growing needs of affected communities. Discussions also highlighted recent achievements, alongside opportunities to further enhance coordination and collaboration among members for the implementation of joint humanitarian and social initiatives in the future.

Amidst the rising incidence of breast cancer, which poses a serious health issue in societies, the Diakonia and Social Service Department, Lebanon’s Office, at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), in partnership with MCC (Mennonite Central Committee), held breast-awareness sessions at the community center of the Armenian Orthodox Archdiocese in Bourj Hammoud.

2 groups of 74 women were brought together in a warm and supportive environment where they were given the opportunity to learn about the subject and discuss the subject openly.

The sessions emphasized the importance of early detection, regular screenings, and recognizing physical changes related to breast health. The purpose of the session was to also address the emotional and psychological journey that many cancer patients and survivors experience, highlighting how fear, resilience, and hope often intertwine.

Contribute in the Restoration of "Jesus the Worker" Convent Affiliated with the Latin Church in Aleppo

As part of the Program “Restoration Fund for Rehabilitation of Faith-based Social Services & Religious Infrastructure Damaged During the Crisis in Syria”

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) continues to implement its small business support program, believing in the importance of assisting the most vulnerable and empowering them to secure a dignified life for themselves and their families.

The program is carried out through the MECC Diakonia and Social Service Department – Diakonia, Syria Office.

MECC provided financial support to 27 small projects in Damascus and its Rural areas. The supported projects varied and included mini markets, Food processing, Dairy production workshop, carpentry, an Institute for providing courses in artificial intelligence and robotics, sweets shop, a heat press for transfer of images and designs onto t-shirts, handmade accessories using wood and resin, an electronic circuit manufacturing workshop, metal forming, beekeeping, painting work, and others.

The Diakonia and Social Service Department, Lebanon’s Office, at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), in partnership with the international organization Norwegian Church Aid (NCA), launched a series of awareness sessions on gender-based violence (GBV) for a group of migrant domestic workers.

This program comes at a time when domestic workers in Lebanon suffer from neglect, injustice to their rights, and even gender-based violence... all in the absence of an adequate legal framework to protect them and preserve their dignity.

One session was given to a group of females in which they were exposed to a video called “Together Against Violence” that builds core understanding of gender, gender roles, and GBV, and how power and social norms shape these experiences. Participants were allowed to discuss productive, reproductive, and social roles and how they can evolve toward fairness.

In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Jordan’s office, with the MECC Diakonia Department, organized a consultation session on the Humanitarian-Peacebuilding Nexus approach for all Church humanitarian organizations working in Jordan, including the MECC international partners and ACT Alliance members in Jordan. The session took place from September 15 to 16 at the St. Ignatius Center for Knowledge Innovation, affiliated with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Amman.

The purpose of this session was to highlight the experiences of the participating organizations and their lessons learned regarding the so-called Humanitarian-Development-Peacebuilding Nexus approach to achieving a cohesive and secure society.

Following the opening Prayer and welcoming remarks from the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, the Secretary General of ACT Alliance Mr. Rudelmar Bueno de Faria, and Father Ignatius Khalifeh, Director of the MECC Office in Jordan, the seminar began with an analysis of the dynamics of conflicts in the Middle East and their causes by Dr. Bernard Sabella, and proposals for peace initiatives that MECC could adopt in its future projects.

Emotional Support Sessions for Men in Lebanon

In light of the difficult circumstances facing Lebanon and the region, men are facing a stifling wave of despair and stress due to the intense daily pressures they face. Therefore, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) is committed to supporting, accompanying, and empowering them to overcome their living crises with great hope.

In this context, the Diakonia and Social Service Department, Lebanon’s Office, at the Middle East Council of Churches, in collaboration with ABAAD, launched a six-week series of emotional support sessions for men.

These sessions aimed at reducing gender-based violence by helping men explore their emotions, develop coping mechanisms, and practice non-violent communication. In this way, we help in creating a positive environment at their homes and nurturing a healthy relationship with their families.

*Home care services are available at reasonable and discounted prices.

Stemming from its belief in the importance of serving with dignity, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) launched a new platform for homecare services in Lebanon, enabling service seekers to identify certified caregivers who have undergone extensive health training with Saint George Hospital University Medical Center (Beirut, Mount Lebanon, and Tripoli) and Khoury General Hospital (Zahle, Lebanon). Hence, the platform offers a variety of home services related to elderly care, mothers and newborn care, as well as babysitting and childcare.

In this context, the video sheds light on how this platform works and the details of its services.

"Connecting Hearts and Minds"

A New Workshop Entitled "Connecting Hearts and Minds"

Amidst the difficult circumstances affecting the people of Lebanon and the region, the Diakonia and Social Service Department – Lebanon’s Office at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) seeks to raise mental health awareness in various communities to alleviate daily pressures and psychological burdens.

In this context, the Department, in partnership with Tearfund organization, organized a new workshop entitled "Connecting Hearts and Minds." Participants were humanitarian and social workers, and MECC volunteers, from different Church Families. It took place from August 4 to 7, 2025, in Beirut.

*Home care services are available at reasonable and discounted prices.

Stemming from its belief in the importance of serving with dignity, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) launched a new platform for homecare services in Lebanon, enabling service seekers to identify certified caregivers who have undergone extensive health training with Saint George Hospital University Medical Center (Beirut, Mount Lebanon, and Tripoli) and Khoury General Hospital (Zahle, Lebanon). Hence, the platform offers a variety of home services related to elderly care, mothers and newborn care, as well as babysitting and childcare.

In this context, the video sheds light on how this platform works and the details of its services.

A Joint Program Aiming at Establishing a Culture of Social Entrepreneurship in Lebanon

What Are the Details?

In a step towards enhancing the social and economic situations in Lebanon, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and Makhzoumi Foundation to implement a loan provision program aiming at empowering Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) located in North and Akkar governorates.

This signing took place during an official meeting held on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at the headquarters of the Makhzoumi Foundation in Beirut. It was attended by the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Professor Michel Abs, and the President of Makhzoumi Foundation Mrs. May Makhzoumi.

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), through its Service and Relief Department – Diakonia, continues its efforts to support the livestock sector and enhance livelihoods and food security in rural areas, as part of its ongoing mission to assist the most vulnerable families and alleviate increasing living burdens.

In this context, 134 livestock breeders in the villages of Deir al-Bukht, Khirbet Ghazaleh, and Al-Kutaybeh in rural Dara’a were supported through the distribution of 220 rations to cover 220 heads of cattle. Each ration consisted of 900 kilograms of mineral-fortified pelleted fodder and 720 kilograms of hay. In addition, veterinary services, medications, and vaccines were provided, along with one food basket for each of the 134 breeders’ families.

The beneficiaries also attended training sessions on proper cattle care, ways to manage common livestock diseases, and optimal nutrition practices to improve the quality and quantity of milk production.

Implements Emotional Support Sessions for Youth Girls in Lebanon

With the intensification of daily challenges, the Diakonia and Social Service Department, Lebanon’s Office, at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), organized a program titled "Emotional Support for Youth Girls" with two groups of adolescent girls aged 12-14 years and 15-17 years. The program aimed to empower them, enhance their mental health, and help them overcome the difficulties they may face.

This program, which extended over many weeks, comes at a time when both parents are obliged to work to sustain their households, and many children and adolescents are left alone without the proper guidance and the necessary counseling of their loves ones. As such, they are left to deal with the different hurdles in school or society in general without getting the proper chance to talk about what they go through.