MECC Organizes a Workshop on Churches in Disasters

What Are Its Objectives?

With the worsening security, living, social, economic and health crises in the Middle East and the world amidst the heightened severity of the repercussions of conflicts and wars taking place across the globe, humans are now living in front of an unknown future, facing daily challenges and pressures, and searching for a dignity that was stolen from them, but are there any ears listening to their pain?  In fact, people are living in a bitter reality that may sound the alarm bell!

In light of the absence of government action in various countries around the world, especially in the Middle East, the Church has become the only safe refuge for many citizens that are unable to overcome the difficulties of their lives and secure the necessities of their livelihood. Hence, this is a factor that indicates that the burden has become great on the Church, which seeks with all its capabilities to help people restore their hope.

In this context, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Diakonia and Social Service Department, in cooperation with TearFund organization, is organizing a workshop on the Church’s response in times of disasters, that will be implemented for the first time in Lebanon, for a group of clergy and laic people who are working in the Church field, between 19 and 21 April 2024, in Bethania - Harissa, Lebanon.

The workshop aims to empower participants and develop their capabilities in order to support them in responding in times of crises. The workshop also aims at providing the participants with skills that will enable them in turn to train members of their congregations, so they can all help the Church heal the wounds of the most affected people in times of disasters, on various humanitarian, social, health and psychological levels.

Noting that the session will begin with an opening session which will include a speech by His Eminence Archbishop Mor Clemis Daniel Kourieh, Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Beirut, and Advisor for the Diakonia Department on behalf the MECC Executive Committee, a speech by the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, and a speech by the party supporting the session.

At the end of the workshop, the participants will form a joint coordination committee with the aim of cooperating together and thus preparing a work project to produce a guide for humanitarian action in Lebanon.