After the catastrophic explosion that hit the Lebanese capital, Beirut, on August 4, 2020, causing massive destruction and devastating this city, the MECC issued an appeal in response to the disaster. The World Council of Churches shared it on its platform.

On the 4th of August 2020, a catastrophic and cataclysmic chemical blast at the Port of Beirut made the whole world sit still, as apocalyptic images surfaced all over international and local media outlets. More than 171 people lost their lives, some were obliterated and others were buried under the heaps of concrete and debris. 6000 people were injured and thousands of buildings were damaged or laid to waste. In addition, to the crumbling economy and the worsening COVID-19 situation, things took to the worse, as around 300,000 Lebanese and foreigners residing in Beirut, lost their homes, livelihoods, and of course, their mental health.

Amid the political, economic and health crises facing Lebanon, Beirut was devastated by a terrible explosion that hit the port of Beirut, turning the capital into an afflicted city in a split second, exactly at 6:07 pm on Tuesday August 4, 2020. It is a disaster that affected a huge number of innocent civilians and left thousands injured, hundreds dead, and dozens of people missing. The explosion also resulted in massive damage and heavy losses to public and private property, including buildings, cars, institutions and vital facilities. Moreover, churches and their affiliated institutions were unfortunately deeply affected by the massive destruction.

Syria and Lebanon

Humanitarian Update

Reporting period: from 10 to 17 August 2020

“O God, who will roll away the stone from the hearts of wounded Beirut and its affected citizens”

On August 4, at around 6:00pm, a warehouse at the Beirut Port containing large quantities of ammonium nitrate exploded. After an initial explosion, a subsequent blast caused widespread damage, with reports of damage more than 20 km from the port area. Hundreds of buildings including grain silos storing around 85 percent of the country’s grain, and numerous residential places have also been damaged or completely destroyed.

Syria and Lebanon

Humanitarian Update

Reporting period: from 5 to 11 August 2020

After the catastrophic explosion that hit the Lebanese capital, Beirut, on August 4, 2020, causing massive destruction and devastating this city that has always been full of life, the Middle East Council of Churches’ regional offices in Syria, Jordan, and Egypt, in addition to several international organizations, expressed their sympathy and solidarity with the Lebanese people through letters of condolence addressed to the General Secretariat of the council at its headquarters in Beirut.

After the Beirut explosion that devastated the capital, many regional organizations have expressed their compassion and solidarity with the Lebanese people, sending condolence messages to the MECC General Secretariat at its HQ in Beirut.

In the wake of a tragic explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, the World Council of Churches (WCC) sent condolences and called for prayers for those who lost loves ones, for the injured, and for the ongoing work of the rescue teams. In a letter addressed to the member churches in Lebanon and the Middle East Council of Churches, WCC interim general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca expressed deep compassion and solidarity on behalf of the global fellowship.

Dear Secretary General Dr Bechealany,

We stand in fraternal solidarity with the people of Beirut in the aftermath of the devastating explosions that hit the city yesterday and caused so many victims and extensive damage. This terrible incident is an additional challenge in a sensitive time of already deep crisis.

Syria and Lebanon

Humanitarian Update

Reporting period: from 27 July to 4 August 2020

The Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) published a new issue of its periodic magazine, “Al-Muntada”, in July 2020, in Arabic and English. The issue focuses on two main topics: Jerusalem and the Palestinian refugees’ right of return, and the Middle East region’s approach in facing the Coronavirus pandemic.

Syria and Lebanon

Humanitarian Update

Reporting period: from 21 to 28 July 2020

Religious leaders from Indigenous, Jewish, Hindu, Zoroastrian, Jain, Buddhist, Christian, Islamic, Sikh, and Bahá'í traditions are raising their “voices and hands” as one “to urge for mercy and respect towards one another” in response to the Hagia Sofia situation.

Youth are a key pillar in shaping the future

As part of the “Kairos Middle East Towards Churches Global Compact” process, the Theological and Ecumenical Department (TED) of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) organized the first youth consultation seminar on the 11th of July 2020, at the St Augustine center in Kafra – Ain Saade, Lebanon.

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Syria and Lebanon

Humanitarian Update

Reporting period: from 15 to 21 July 2020

Youth are a key pillar in shaping the future

As part of the “Kairos Middle East Towards Churches Global Compact” process, the Theological and Ecumenical Department (TED) of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) organized the first youth consultation seminar on the 11th of July 2020, at the St Augustine center in Kafra – Ain Saade, Lebanon.

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