Syria and Lebanon

Humanitarian Update

Reporting period: from 26 April to 4 May 2021

On the occasion of the April 24, Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, the Biden administration officially recognized the massacre of Armenians under the Ottoman Empire as a genocide. Prompting the anger of Turkey, President Biden is the first US president to declare so. During the early part of the 20th century, one and the half million people were murdered as part of an ethnic cleansing scheme orchestrated by top Turkish decision makers.

The Light of Christ Overflows on this Divine and Historical Date

What Happens in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre?

“Light up, O New Jerusalem! the glory of the Lord has shone upon you...” are phrases believers recite and sing with great joy on Holy Saturday, an annual date for a divine phenomenon. A miracle that consolidates and revives Christian faith, glorious light shines from the cradle of Christianity, Jerusalem, specifically from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

Syria and Lebanon

Humanitarian Update

Reporting period: from 19 to 26 April 2021

Report: 28 April 2021

As ME citizens celebrate Ramadan, word of a new ‘highly transmissible virus strain, has reached the area.

With the various health sectors already under pressure, the spread of such a virus, which had been deemed by scientists as more dangerous, can spell a more difficult year for the world.

Report: 15 to 23 April 2021

As tensions heat up in Eastern Ukraine and the Pacific Ocean, attention seems to be shifting elsewhere away from the ME. For the moment, security risks and challenges seem to be occupying the minds of top decision makers, instead of working to end wars, abolish poverty, and save the children in the Middle East.

On the 23rd of April, Saudi Arabia declared that it has seized large amounts of drugs in a vegetable shipment from Lebanon and consequently, imposed a ban on Lebanese agricultural products. Similarly, Greek authorities announced seizing four tons of cannabis worth €33 million, hidden in dessert-making machinery at Piraeus that was en route from Lebanon to Slovakia.

Bringing life back to St. Mesrob Church and Ishakian School

July 25, 2021 is no longer just another day worldwide, as it has become a day dedicated to honor the grandparents and elderly in general. So let us prepare for this special day to thank and appreciate them. On this occasion, we will celebrate with our family and grandparents as they have a role in consolidating faith and promoting love and intimacy between the members of the family or the society generally...

On the remembrance day of the Armenian genocide, one of the greatest human catastrophes in human history, it is necessary to shed light on a historical site that embodies this tragic massacre. The ancient Lebanese city of Byblos embraces at its heart the culture of people who have long suffered.

Report: 21 April 2021

Despite the drive to deliver vaccines to the population, many ME citizens are still reluctant to take the vaccine.

For instance, the acceptance rates of vaccination are just 23% in Kuwait and 28% in Jordan, making the various national immunization plans difficult to implement.

1915 – 2021

Criminality and Denial still in work

The 24th of April marks the day of the Armenian Genocide remembrance of 1915. WWI was the right time for Turkey to execute long planned extermination of the Armenian people living in Western Armenia. The strategy was to create a homogenous Turkish state through Turkification of the ethnic minorities within the empire, a policy that culminated in the systematic annihilation of the Armenian population.

Evangelical churches are characterized by their autonomy, diversity and geographic independence

It is true that several initiatives have sought to strengthen the movement of unity between Churches, but the main goal remains bridging distances between all Church families while preserving their differences. This diversity characterizes all churches at different levels such as beliefs, prayers, and traditions ...

Lead investigator Judge Tarek Bitar ordered on 15 April, the release of six people detained in connection to the devastating Beirut Blast. However, the judge rejected the release of 19 other people. This is certainly a sign of our judicial system is working by weeding out those that are deemed innocent from those who are to-be caught.

Syria and Lebanon

Humanitarian Update

Reporting period: from 12 to 19 April 2021

MECC General Secretariat held its annual meeting today on 14th April 2021 with international and regional partner organizations and institutions on Zoom to discuss different opinions and share knowledge in order to develop the role of the council and improve work mechanism and cooperation in future projects.

Report: 14 April 2021

As the Arab world prepares itself for Ramadan, the pandemic continues to spread at alarming rates in the Middle East.

As children of the Church, we stand out because we are neither broken nor defeated by Hell

The forty-day fasting time is considered one of the most important seasons loaded with prayers, ecclesiastical celebrations and various spiritual meetings in which the faithful participate with commitment, especially the youth whose presence has always been characterized by positive energy, vitality and hope... They are always overjoyed to prepare for the holy week and Easter as they strive to spread hope in the hearts of many brothers.