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.