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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In response to the Higher Committee for Human Fraternity’s latest initiative, The Middle East Council of Churches renews its appeal for people to actively participate tomorrow, on the 14th of May 2020, in a day of prayer, fasting, invocation, and charity, each according to his/her own religion or sect or belief, asking God to help us overcome the Corona pandemic which is threatening the lives of millions of people, to inspire scientists to discover the appropriate cure, and to save the world from the medical, economic, and human consequences of this detrimental virus.

Sr. Emilie Tannous, the coordinator of the MECC Thelogical and Ecumenical Department, was the guest of "Kel Yowm bi Ywomu" program on Voice of Van radio station, and the guest of “Alive” program on MTV. The discussions were about the Higher Committee for Human Fraternity’s appeal to observe the 14th of May 2020 as a day of joint prayer, fasting and good deeds.

Interview with Fr. Gabi Hachem, Director of the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department on Voice of All Lebanon radio station, with the journalist Johnny Sadiq. The discussion was about the Higher Committee for Human Fraternity’s appeal to observe the 14th of May 2020 as a day of joint prayer, fasting and good deeds.

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Syria and Lebanon

Humanitarian Update

Reporting period: from 6 to 12 May 2020

the MECC is entrusted with the task of ensuring that prayer is accompanied by words and deeds

Dr Souraya Bechealany, the Middle East Council of Churches’ Secretary General, was the guest of a program broadcasted on OTV and entitled “Yawm Jadid”, which means in English “New Day”. During the online interview on Skype, Bechealany highlighted the joint appeal issued by 17 Lebanese faith-based organizations.

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the MECC is entrusted with the task of ensuring that prayer is accompanied by words and deeds

Dr Souraya Bechealany, the Middle East Council of Churches’ Secretary General, was the guest of a program broadcasted on OTV and entitled “Yawm Jadid”, which means in English “New Day”. During the online interview on Skype, Bechealany highlighted the joint appeal issued by 17 Lebanese faith-based organizations, in response to the Higher Committee for Human Fraternity’s latest initiative, launched under the patronage of his Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmad Al-Tayyeb.

In a joint letter to heads of states that are part of the European Union, the World Council of Churches (WCC) and Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) appealed for a firm and principled stance by the European Union against any annexation by Israel of occupied Palestinian territory in the West Bank.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) appeal for a firm and principled stance by the European Union against any annexation by the State of Israel of occupied Palestinian territory in the West Bank. Any such annexation would constitute a grave violation of international law and, as UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov has observed, "deal a devastating blow to the two-state solution, close the door to a renewal of negotiations, and threaten efforts to advance regional peace."