ongoing response in the Middle East

reports from Global Ministries and Middle East partners

photo : DSPR

Recently, Dr. Peter Makari, Week of Compassion's long-time colleague who serves as Global Relations Minister for the Middle East and Europe with Global Ministries, met with partners responding in many parts of the world, including “one of our Palestinian partners which works in Gaza, and of course the situation remains desperate there,” Peter said. “He [this partner] has insisted on the importance of advocacy.”

As ground operations continue in Gaza, and voices worldwide clamor for the needs of the most vulnerable, Week of Compassion remains in contact with partners like Global Ministries, and the Middle East Council of Churches, in their efforts to provide humanitarian response to profoundly traumatized communities.

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photo : DSPR

According to the World Health Organization, “a public health catastrophe is rapidly evolving in Gaza with high levels of violent deaths and injuries, mass displacement, overcrowding, major disruption and dysfunction of the health system, and damage to water and sanitation infrastructure”. The staff and emergency committee of MECC’s Department of Service for Palestinian Refugees (DSPR) have been working tirelessly to reach those most in need.​

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photo : DSPR

A detailed report of their work is available, which outlines the ways they are responding, especially though the DSPR Rafah Clinic, including:

• primary health care services, including medicine and supplies
• health awareness sessions as hygiene-related problems are leading to increased disease
• mental health and psychosocial services focused especially on mothers and children
• unconditional cash distribution, used to cover basic needs of water and food
• distribution of milk for children

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the newest Action Alert from Global Ministries

updates, reports, statements from partners, action alerts, calls to prayer,
and other news pertaining to the crisis in the Middle East
​
the Report from the DSPR, telling recent stories of relief and response

photo : DSPR

Facing the reality of the immense need and the desperate concern for so many, that Report concludes, “The needs are beyond belief, the resources are limited and hard to find, the teams on the ground are exhausted working in extremely unsafe and hard conditions but determined to serve this noble mission. The decision made by the staff in Rafah Clinic was to extend the working hours to be able to meet the growing demand in the very crowded clinic, {borrowing from the gospel according to Matthew} - “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.’” (Matthew 9:35-37)

Week of Compassion joins Disciples and the whole ecumenical community in praying for, and coming alongside, these laborers in this sacred field.

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