Syria and Lebanon

Humanitarian Update

Reporting period: from 7 to 14 July 2020

Following the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's signature on the Turskish Supreme Court’s decision to transform the Hagia Sophia Church into a mosque, the Middle East Council of Churches issued a statement through its General Secretariat considering that this decision is an assault on religious freedom; the freedom that has become the cornerstone in global consciousness and that is protected by international laws.

Syria and Lebanon

Humanitarian Update

Reporting period: from 30 June to 7 July 2020

Syria and Lebanon

Humanitarian Update

Reporting period: from 22 to 30 June 2020

“Working together despite the distance”

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Online meetings gathering the communication directors of regional ecumenical organizations (REOs) are ongoing at the invitation of the Communication Department of the World Council of Churches (WCC), noting that the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) is taking part in those meetings. In the last virtual meeting, the participants discussed the situation imposed by the Coronavirus pandemic and its repercussions on each continent they represent, in addition to common issues and concerns.

Syria and Lebanon

Humanitarian Update

Reporting period: from 15 to 23 June 2020

As we believe that life is stronger and since our hope in our Lord Jesus Christ never dies, the heart of the Middle East Council of Churches’ Head Office in Beirut is beating again after almost 3 months of quarantine during which MECC team worked from home due to the precautionary measures imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

In its endeavor to support those most in need, MECC provided a variety of kits to the students of three schools in Jairoud, Muadamiyat al-Qalamoun and Al Bayad in Rural Damascus after completing the rehabilitation of the WASH facilities in those schools which will ensure a healthy and safe environment for students. The distribution included hygiene kits, winter clothing and shoes in addition to school bags and stationery. It was organized in the schools while respecting all precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Syria and Lebanon

Humanitarian Update

Reporting period: from 6 to 16 June 2020

Syria and Lebanon

Humanitarian Update

Reporting period: from May 30 to June 9, 2020

Following the strategic orientation aiming at keeping an ongoing interreligious dialogue about Christian-Muslim relations and relations with other religions such as with Jews, the Theological & Ecumenical Department held the 5th consultation seminar of the process on Tuesday June 2, 2020 in order to continue the preparation of  the “Kairos Middle East: Towards Churches Global Compact” white paper.

Syria and Lebanon

Humanitarian Update

Reporting period: from May 25 to June 2, 2020

The "Restoration Fund for rehabilitation of faith-based social services & religious infrastructure damaged during the crisis in Syria" has been launched!

Despite the global suffering and the imminent danger caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the virus did not hinder the work of the Steering Committee of the "Restoration Fund for rehabilitation of faith-based social services & religious infrastructure damaged during the crisis in Syria". In fact, the committee held an online meeting that gathered the representatives of the participating churches, representatives of Kerk in Actie (KiA) – Netherlands, which is the donor of the program, and senior officials from the General Secretariat of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC).

Syria and Lebanon

Humanitarian Update

Reporting period: from 15 to 26 May 2020

Amid the economic, social and health crises, that have been exacerbated by the outbreak 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 150 deprived Lebanese families including elderly members. The team distributed vouchers amounting to 150,000 Lebanese Liras each.

MECC team underwent an online training focusing on transformational and motivational leadership organized by the Institute for Leadership Development and the Bible Society.

Syria and Lebanon

Humanitarian Update

Reporting period: from 12 to 19 May 2020

was launched on the practical level despite the Coronavirus Pandemic

The Steering Committee of the "Restoration Fund for rehabilitation of faith-based social services & religious infrastructure damaged during the crisis in Syria" held an online meeting that gathered the representatives of the participating churches, representatives of Kerk in Actie (KiA) – Netherlands, which is the donor of the program, and senior officials from the General Secretariat of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC).

Dr. Souraya Bechealany, MECC Secretary General, was the guest of “Bachar Mech Hajar” program on Radio Free Lebanon (RLL), with the journalist Jana Ghazi to discuss the joint appeal issued by 17 Lebanese faith-based organizations, in response to the Higher Committee for Human Fraternity’s latest initiative.

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