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.

MECC supported workers in the dairy industry – cattle raising and dairy production, processing and retail - in nine different areas in Dara’a Governorate. The livestock project targeted 460 families. MECC distributed 2 tons of fortified fodder and 20 liter-stainless steel milk containers to 400 breeders who own 900 cows.

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.

As we approach Holy Week we are all reminded that staying at home is the safest way to celebrate our faith and to ensure that our traditions, communal prayerful rites and rituals would be sustained for years to come. Many of us at DSPR have been invigorated by the Services and Hymns on social media networks by our various faith communities. From the Pope’s exceptional prayer with his blessing for the City and the World to Hymns sung by the Greek Orthodox Mount of Lebanon Choir to the World Council of Churches statements and prayers which offered hope and solidarity.

Since the Middle East Council of Churches has a social responsibility, it is contributing to raising awareness in order to prevent the virus, by adopting the reports and publications of many international bodies and organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO).

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.

This report is the product of a meeting of thirty veteran ecumenists, church leaders who have had long and deep commitment to the ecumenical cause, hosted in Antelias, Lebanon from January 31-February 2, 2020 by His Holiness Aram I.

The MECC Communication and Public Relations Department on a learning journey to the World Council of Churches in Geneva

As an advanced step to strengthen the cooperation and deepen the coordination and communication between the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and the World Council of Churches (WCC) on many levels, MECC Communication and Public Relations Department and Archives team visited WCC Communications Department at the Ecumenical Center in Switzerland - Geneva.