At the dawn of the Holy Month of Ramadan, we wish our Muslim brothers and sisters at home and in humanity, a blessed Fasting. May God keep you all with happiness and peace.

Acknowledgment of the MECC Humanitarian and Relief Role

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, received Mr. Moustafa Makki, Mayor of Beit Yahoun, at the Council's headquarters in Beirut.

The meeting was attended by Ms. Nina Hallak, Director of the Lebanon’s Office in the MECC Diakonia and Social Service Department, and Mrs. Sara Hasrouni, the MECC Project Coordinator in South Lebanon.

Discussions focused on the situation in the South, the work of the Middle East Council of Churches, and the initiatives it has undertaken particularly during the recent events.

In his turn, Mr. Moustafa Makki expressed his gratitude for all the humanitarian work that MECC has carried out and is still implementing in the South, and for the support it provides to the residents amidst the difficult circumstances. He also offered to the Council a commemorative trophy as a token of appreciation and gratitude for all the work and projects the Council undertakes in the region to serve humanity.

Produced By MECC

Produced By MECC

“Momentum”

13-2-2026

This issue includes reports, videos, news, articles, and a full coverage of the latest developments of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), as well as the Church, Ecumenical, and social events…

This is in addition to the weekly word of the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs which is entitled in this issue "Between Homelessness and the Right to Housing".

You can check the issue via the following link: https://mailchi.mp/29ec58d78369/momentum-mecc-weekly-newsletter.

You can also subscribe to the Momentum Newsletter via the following link:
https://mecc.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?id=fd3381352a&u=1db32cafe9ea32b38eb90480a.

Professor Michel Abs

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

Recently, incidents of residential building collapses have increased in northern Lebanon, prompting the state to evacuate many buildings in the city and relocate residents to shelters. The churches in Tripoli were the first to place their buildings at the disposal of the state and the displaced.

This incident may seem exceptional or temporary, but in truth it is merely a model of the housing problems in our region—not only in Lebanon, but in the world.

The need for housing is a primary human need, because the home is a person’s fundamental refuge, where one returns after a strenuous day of work to rest from the fatigue of the day, meet with family, or withdraw in solitude and go to sleep in preparation for another day of work and productivity.

The home is the place where the heart finds rest—after the homeland; indeed, it is one’s small homeland. It determines a person’s physical and psychological health, social relationships, and partly the academic success of children.

Imagine that the place providing all this does not exist.

Imagine people living in unhealthy homes, in unhealthy neighborhoods, in a contaminated environment, noisy and polluted, without proper access to water, electricity, or the various services necessary for human well-being and development…

مرصد فلسطين - تقرير الجمعة 13 شباط/ فبراير2026

In light of the worsening humanitarian and social conditions in the region due to the escalation of security operations, the Middle East Council of Churches presents a weekly report entitled "Palestine Monitor," which includes the latest developments in Palestine, especially amid the deteriorating living, social, and security conditions in the country. Some texts will be in Arabic, and some others in English, depending on the source.

في ظلّ تفاقم الظروف الإنسانيّة والاجتماعيّة في المنطقة جرّاء تصاعد العمليّات الأمنيّة فيها، يقدّم مجلس كنائس الشرق الأوسط تقريرًا أسبوعيًّا بعنوان "مرصد فلسطين" حيث يتضمّن آخر المستجدّات الّتي تشهدها فلسطين خصوصًا وسط تدهور الظروف المعيشيّة والاجتماعيّة والأمنيّة في البلاد. ستكون بعض النصوص باللغة العربية، وبعضها الآخر باللّغة الإنكليزيّة، وذلك حسب المصدر.

Middle East Socioeconomic Overview

Report: January 2026

The year started with news of regime changes and military escalations worldwide. There is no doubt 2026 will be an interesting year full of events that will change the course of history. Leaders need to mindful of any impulsive decision that can trigger a sequence of uncontrollable events which can have regional as well as international consequences. During an age of economic turmoil and stagnation, any wrong move can add fuel to the fire which can consume more than it should.

Produced By MECC

Within the “Trauma Healing and Spiritual Counseling for Church Ministers” Program in Lebanon