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.