an update from Middle East partners

photo via MECC/DSPR

Week of Compassion is grateful for long-standing relationships with ecumenical partners responding to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.

Dr. Peter Makari (Global Relations Minister, Middle East and Europe, with Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ), visited the region last week and offered updates from partners there.

​Week of Compassion, through Global Ministries, supports these partners as they respond to the vast needs in Palestine and Gaza, and in surrounding nations, like Jordan, supporting the mass influx of Palestinian refugees. ​

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I have just returned from the Middle East last week, and had conversations with partners there. They are immensely grateful for the support we have been able to offer so far, which of course is Week of Compassion and Global HOPE (UCC) support.

Al-Ahli Hospital, a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, continues to provide necessary medical and psycho-social care, even with diminished capacity. Al-Ahli is one of the few hospitals in Gaza that remains operational, and doctors from other hospitals that have been rendered non-functional have been working from al-Ahli as an alternative, and as a sign of their commitment. Al-Ahli is in northern Gaza, which of course has been hit the hardest during these 16 months. They have been able to manage in part due to having solar panels to offset the lack of fuel for generators. Despite being hit by Israeli airstrikes on more than one occasion, they have persevered. They even had set up a medical clinic in the Rafah area (in the south) as well as mobile clinics to meet people where they were. They provide psychosocial care for 30 critical-case children per day, in addition to the regular medical services, which as of a few months ago, included 25-30 surgeries per day, 300-350 outpatients per day, and 150 in-patients.

Their current and future needs are and will be immense, even as more aid is currently allowed into Gaza. Hopefully the provision of more supplies will enable more care. But the medical needs are great, due to the crippling assaults Gaza has experienced. Their ongoing challenge, in addition to medical services, is staff (doctors, nurses, others) salaries, even as they provide outpatient and surgical services.

In the neighboring regions, the Middle East Council of Churches continues its work in Jordan with refugees, primarily Syrians and Palestinians from Gaza.  Week of Compassion and Global HOPE have faithfully supported this work for the duration of the Syrian war, and I know the MECC is grateful. The change in regime in Syria introduces much uncertainty regarding the ability of refugees to return, and for now, they are still in great need. And Palestinians from Gaza who are in Jordan are also in a state of suspension.  It is unknown how [the ceasefire announced Jan 15] will affect access for those who are stranded outside.

I also received an update from the MECC’s Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees (DSPR).  As you can see, their work remains heroic. I’m grateful, as always, for your support of our partners in this time of crisis.