Despite its widespread outbreak around the world, the Coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19) did not hinder the work of the MECC Theological and Ecumenical department (TED) who was determined to continue the “Kairos Middle East Towards Churches Global Compact” process online. In fact, the fifth consultation seminar was expected to be held between the 12th and 14th of March 2020 in Egypt; therefore, the organizing committee decided to turn the event into an online seminar instead of cancelling it.

The MECC member Churches’ presidents have responded to the call of Dr. Souraya Bechealany, MECC Secretary General, for an online meeting, each one from his self-quarantine.

There is no doubt, that the infectivity rate of the covid-19 pandemic has receded over the past few days, ushering glimmers of hope to a world that awaits any subtle sign which could give it relief. Nations had implemented lockdowns, have shut their land and sea borders, and closed their airports in an attempt to quell the spread; which they have succeeded in doing so. Despite this good news and despite all collective efforts, the World Food Program has warned that the global pandemic is in a stage where it can cause global famines of 'biblical proportions,' if not addressed while the WHO (World Health Organization) claimed that the virus will stay with us ‘for a long time’.

Syria and Lebanon

Humanitarian Update

Reporting period: from 20 to 28 April 2020

Amid the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic, the team of Our Lady Dispensary (OLD), which is affiliated to the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and located in Sabtiyeh - Lebanon, helped 400 deprived Lebanese, Syrian and Iraqi families protect themselves against COVID-19. The team distributed hygiene kits to those families in addition to flyers including visual guidance to raise awareness about prevention methods.

A call for solidarity and social action with the refugee and displaced communities

The Middle East Council of Churches, Adyan Foundation, Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs at the American University of Beirut and the UNHCR took a unified ethical stance inspired by faith, and jointly decided to meet and discuss the repercussions of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic on refugees and host communities. As they are all aware of the need to promote solidarity in order to overcome these difficult times, they issued together a joint statement.

Pursuing its goal to serve society by supporting the novel Coronavirus prevention measures, MECC manufactured 5000 face masks that meet international standards.

Syria and Lebanon

Humanitarian Update

Reporting period: from 12 to 20 April 2020

Within the framework established to counter the spread of COVID-19 in several regions of the world such as the Middle East and due to increasing numbers of contaminated people in places that were already staggering under the burden of numerous economic, social and health repercussions like Syria and Lebanon, the Middle East Council of churches is launching a humanitarian appeal in an attempt to alleviate the suffering of people affected by this unprecedented global pandemic.

After receiving a special message that Mr António Guterres, the UN Secretary General, addressed to religious leaders and authorities on 11 April 2020, urging them to join forces in coping with COVID-19, especially during the Easter season and Ramadan, Dr Souraya Bechealany, Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), responded to the call in a letter, in which she commended his initiative that left a positive impact on MECC and on its partners of various faith based organizations, religious Christian leaders and leaders of other religions with whom it shares a common responsibility.

MECC distributed barley seeds to 600 farmers in Dara’a Governorate in order to support the agricultural sector. The distributed seeds are sufficient to plant 1.5 hectares per beneficiary. In addition, MECC covered the costs of land cultivation and seed sowing.

On 26 March, the World Council of Churches (WCC) and Regional Ecumenical Organizations released a historic joint pastoral statement affirming the urgency of standing together to protect life amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The WCC has since been gathering viewpoints from diverse regions about the importance of taking care of our one human family.

From the Middle East Council of Churches, congratulations on your 10 Years of Service! Many years of service and dedication to making The World Council of Churches (WCC) Mission, Vision and Values come true for many of the member churches.

Dr Souraya Bechealany, the secretary general of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), was the guest of Father Nicolas Riachi on “Saa men wa’tak” which means in English “An Hour of Your Time”, a show broadcasted on Télé Lumière and NOURSAT. Bechealany clarified the position of the Middle East Council of Churches during these hard times due to the Coronavirus outbreak and highlighted the joint statement issued by the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Secretaries General of Regional Ecumenical Organizations (REOs).

As representatives of Regional Ecumenical Organizations and the World Council of Churches, we share the challenges that our communities around the world are facing due to the coronavirus, COVID-19.

As the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) believes that such difficult times strengthen the ecumenical spirit and spreading hope and faith, it has decided to positively adapt to the situation imposed by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Thus, it has set goals to achieve during this period along with clear deadlines, and conducts regular follow-ups to evaluate the progress made.

In all the regions where DSPR/MECC works, there is total closure except for vital and necessary services to fight the virus. Measures are put in place to ensure responsiveness to those in need for groceries, medical attention other than infection, and procurement of medications.

The worsening emergency situation stemming from the coronavirus outbreak has pushed the Regional Ecumenical Organizations (REO) to increase their efforts in order to help and rescue all communities around the world, while working together as a fellowship of churches.

Avec la bénédiction du conseil de ses Présidents, le Conseil des Églises du Moyen-Orient (CEMO) adresse aux Églises membres et aux hommes de bonne volonté, en ce temps de carême et de la pandémie Corona qui menace le monde, un message.

With the blessing of the Heads of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), in this Season of Lent and in the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic which threatens all of humanity, the MECC wishes to issue the following Communique to its member churches and all people of good will.