The catastrophe that hit the heart of the capital Beirut on the 4th of August, at a time where the country was drowning in an endless cycle of political, economic and health crises. On that day, the scale was tipped, during which the Lebanese people lived horrifying and difficult hours in a tragic black cloud. But the very next day, the Lebanese rushed to the streets of the destroyed capital, and before scenes of massive destruction, they stood in solidarity to save their injured capital, in complete absence of the government. The Lebanese people, especially youth, refused to have their dreams buried in these streets, that turned into war-like zones; rather they wanted to saw hope to rebuild their Beirut.

The families of the victims and those affected are revolting

Although at a smaller scale, demonstrations once again erupted in the capital, calling for justice transparency and the truth. Till today, not one low or high level employee, or political figure has been sacked, revealing the degree of accountability in the country. Laughably, the government during the beginning of the month, mourned the death of a Kuwaiti ruler when it continuously failed to honor those that fell in Beirut, by delivering swift justice. Yet again, our political elite sucked up to our wealthier neighbors hoping to receive some petty cash. As for the matter of those that had fallen, knowing Lebanon’s history and political climate, they may join a long roster of casualties that were forgotten across the ages.

With the aim of spreading health education among the largest possible number of society members, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) organized a training session about health awareness, in which twenty women participated in Damascus and Rural Damascus. During the six days training, the participants learned about the most viral diseases in society, their causes, treatment and precautions to take. In addition to learning the right ways to measure blood pressure and basic first aid training. An extra two days were dedicated to psychological support; During which the ladies learned more about effective communication skills, discernment, positive thinking, dealing with challenges and setting a goal, and a plan to achieve it.

As His Beatitude Patriarch John X Yazigi of Antioch and all the East honored me with his appreciation and overwhelmed me with his love by commissioning me and nominating me to the office of the General Secretary of the Middle East Council of Churches,

And as You yourselves have graciously accepted this nomination,

Allow me to express to You my deepest gratitude as you have entrusted to my care this most precious talent.

Let me furthermore share with you the firm belief that I have concerning a talent for which I shall be accountable as it is put in my trust in the present historical moment we are all passing through and as we are engulfed in dangers that know no precedent.

The family of the General Secretariat of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) gathered in Beirut for an amicable lunch, in recognition of the Honorary General Secretary, Dr. Souraya Bechealany, who left her position as Secretary General of the Council and handed it over to the new Secretary General, Dr. Michel Abs.

The Theological and Ecumenical Department of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), organized a Trauma Healing and Spiritual Counseling program in partnership and cooperation with the Youth office and the Patriarchal Seminary of the Greek Melkite Catholic Churh - Rabwa. This program targeted a group of young people from different member churches, scout and religious movements. It aims at supporting the participants psychologically and spiritually, so that they can in turn, help others the same way.

The UNIFIL intervenes

This week, the UNIFIL dispatched its forces to the Beirut port to support authorities with the clearing of debris and construction efforts in the aftermath of the devastating Aug. 4 port explosion. UN teams will do so in three phases, to allow operations at the port to resume as soon as possible, seeing that the country’s economy is also in ruins and every penny is needed. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that this endeavor is a good sign that Lebanon is one of the international community’s primary concern. Maybe, this is a good sign that constructive foreign intervention will increase over time, and put those who were responsible for the tragedy or for the corruption in Lebanon on their knees.

The Ecumenical Mission in progress

The transfer of the Ecumenical mission took place in the General Secretariat of the Middle East Council of Churches from Dr. Souraya Bechealany to Dr. Michel Abs who was elected by the Executive Committee of the MECC as the new Secretary General for a period of four years, during its last meeting on 18 September 2020 at Bkerki. The committee also called Bechealany an Honorary Secretary General due to her achievements, sacrifices and exceptional dynamism during her assumption of responsibility for the past three years.

With the aim of empowering poor and affected families and enhancing their ability to participate in the economic life, MECC supported the workers in the sector of producing, processing and retailing of dairy products in 17 different areas in Dara’a Governorate. MECC distributed fortified fodder to 500 cow breeders and established 4 mobile veterinary mobile clinics that provide all necessary medical services to livestock farmers including cows’ medications, vaccinations, calving, and artificial insemination.

The family of the the Middle East Council of Churches is bidding farewell to Dr. Souraya Bechealany after 3 years in her position of Secretary General; wishing her luck in her new path.

Syria and Lebanon

Humanitarian Update

Reporting period: from 21 to 28 September 2020

Télé Lumière - Noursat dedicated a weekly segment for the Middle East Council of Churches every Thursday in "AL Nour Maana" show, to discuss the latest updates regarding the MECC appeal as well its relief and development projects in Beirut.

The Executive committee of the Middle East Council of churches renewed its solidarity with the Lebanese people due to the Beirut blast during its meeting on the 18th of September, which was hosted by His Beatitude Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi in the Maronite Patriarchate in Bkerke - Lebanon. It also emphasized that the Council is in solidarity with those affected with the Coronavirus pandemic and they issued many decisions and recommendations.

In a 21 September letter, World Council of Churches interim general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca congratulated Dr Michel Abs on being elected as the next secretary general of the Middle East Council of Churches.

“When wars and conflicts, hunger and thirst, pain and loss, break our bodies and tremble our spirits, then only God’s hope, love and comfort drive us onward, steadfast, following the steps of Jesus and his disciples on the roads of Jerusalem, Antioch, Damascus, Nineveh, Sidon and Tyre,” wrote Sauca. “This is the case of the people and the churches of the Middle East today.”

Very recently, a survey was carried out by the Lebanese army in the devastated Beirut port and it was discovered 49 containers of flammable materials, such as acid and other materials used in the manufacture of paint, and raw materials. Consequently, the army held more than one meeting with representatives of the European Union, to conclude an agreement that the European Union would undertake the financing and management of the disposal of these inflammable materials. However, these materials have been present at the port since 10 years.

At 6:07 pm Beirut time, “the ground shook beneath our feet in the emergency room, and after a few seconds, we heard the sound of an explosion, the ceiling collapsed, pieces of shattered glass were flying from all sides, and the sound of the siren became stuck in our ears”. Who knew that the 4th of August 2020 will be a catastrophic day which will change the Lebanese people’s course of life and turn the capital of Light into a devastated city? “After few moments, people began arriving in great numbers, drenched in blood and crying out in pain!” This is to describe the state of total panic in one of Beirut’s hospitals at the time of the terrible explosion that occurred on August 4.

The journalist Nawal Nasr in the highly influential political magazine “Nidaa’ Al Watan” in Beirut- Lebanon interviewed Dr. Souraya Bechealany, MECC Secretary General, about the Middle East council of Churches (MECC) as it happened to be the meeting of the Executive Committee in Bkerki to elect the new Secretary General on the 18th of September in bkerki, Lebanon.

The Theological and Ecumenical Department of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), organized a Trauma Healing and Spiritual Counseling program in partnership and cooperation with the Youth office and the Patriarchal Seminary of the Greek Melkite Catholic Churh - Rabwa. This program targeted a group of young people from different member churches, scout and religious movements. It was launched based on the recommendations made by the youth during two online meetings held by this TED department following the Beirut port explosion, in order to hear their aspirations and suggestions. The program aims at supporting the participants psychologically and spiritually, so that they can in turn, help others the same way.

Dr. Michel Abs from the Orthodox Family, Faithfull to the Ecumenical mission

The Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches MECC elected on 18 September 2020 a new Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs for four years succeeding Dr. Souraya Bechealany. Professor Abs is an economist and a sociologist. He holds a B.A., M.A. and higher diplomas in both fields and a PhD in Sociology with a focus on economic behavior.

MECC continues its vocational trainings aiming to support young people and to help them integrate in the labor market. Two courses were organized in Rural Damascus: men hairdressing and sewing. 15 men participated in the men hairdressing course while 10 women enrolled in the sewing training. The participants were aged between 18 and 30 years old.