They talk about us

Coronavirus Doesn’t Stop Churches from Helping Refugees

Sophie Nasrallah, ETHICSDAILY, JUNE 19, 2020

“At a time when the Lebanese churches themselves are bearing the brunt of the economic crisis, with many of their own members in need of help, renewing their efforts to support refugees around them sends an incredibly powerful message: “Just like we believe our God will not abandon us, we will not abandon you.”

BGAV Partners Serving Refugees in a Time of Crisis

Will Cumbia, BGAV, JUNE 10, 2020

“While public health remains an important area of concern, it is the economic repercussions of the global pandemic that presses more heavily on the Lebanese. Before the health crisis hit, Lebanon was already experiencing one of its worst economic crises in decades, including widespread unemployment. COVID-19 has only exacerbated the situation, causing the value of the Lebanese pound to plummet and prices for goods to skyrocket. These developments will continue to especially impact refugees and other vulnerable people as the purchasing power of what little they have decreases. The next months will be extraordinarily challenging for our brothers and sisters in Lebanon. Yet, they continue to ground their hope in a resurrected king, trust in God’s grace, and remain steadfast in serving and uplifting the least of these. For the Lebanese Baptists, dark days are an opportunity for Christ’s Church to shine brighter.”

Coronavirus response in Lebanon

Niamh Daly, TEARFUND IRELAND, MAY 14, 2020

“Since the Coronavirus outbreak these distributions also include hygiene kits with items such as soap, hand sanitizer and bleach. Halima is from Aleppo in Syria: ‘We are thankful that we received this hygiene kit. The items in it will help us wash and disinfect our hands well and hopefully protect us from catching the virus. The church also gave us some washable face masks which will be very helpful whenever we need to go buy food!’ “

Serving Lebanon’s Syrian refugees, no strings attached

Kali Katerberg, MISSION NETWORK NEWS, DECEMBER 3, 2019

“Serving with no strings attached is a core principle of MERATH work. By serving unconditionally as Jesus did, MERATH partner churches maintain the dignity of those they serve. In practice that means separating aid from church activities, Nasrallah says. This church-based approach creates personal connections and relationships. Recipients are known by name not by number. The churches themselves are even benefiting from serving these vulnerable members of society. Churches are seeing a revival from the inside and witnessing miracles.”

Christian Agency Brings Education to Syrian Refugee Children

Alia Abboud, ETHICSDAILY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2019

“His eyes open wide with excitement, you could not miss his joy and deep sense of achievement as 11-year-old Fahd* dragged me by the arm to where he had just written his name on his own – and for the first time. Fahd is one of over 1,600 vulnerable Syrian refugee children in Lebanon enrolled in the education programs offered at 10 church- and community-based learning centers supported by MERATH. These centers offer focused, relational education, which is exactly what the children need, given their circumstances, and which the public school system cannot provide.”

Opinion: Faith organizations are key in global refugee response

JEAN DUFF, Joint Learning Initiative, APRIL 25,2019

“Ignoring faith doesn’t make it go away. It can even be disrespectful and dismissive of the very people we seek to help. Religious belief and practice can be important coping strategies that offer needed psychosocial and spiritual support. Imposing an unbending Western secular framework is a mistake. A more nuanced understanding of the humanitarian principles of neutrality and impartiality and the role to be played by faith participants is needed.”