reports from the Middle East

Deir al Balah, central Gaza - photo: Saher Alghorra/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa; provided by MECC-DSPR

As part of last week's meeting, the Week of Compassion Board of Stewards was joined by Dr. Peter Makari, Global Relations Minister for the Middle East and Europe with Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ, and by Rev. Prof. Mitri Raheb, Founder and President, Dar al-Kalima University (Jerusalem and Gaza), for an update on the situation and response in Gaza. 

Stories were unsurprisingly heartbreaking and the situation is very dire – yet efforts by ecumenical partners to provide aid and assistance continue amid countless obstacles.

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mobile clinic - photo: MECC-DSPR

Prof. Raheb shared the hope and power students are finding in Dar al-Kalima's online education opportunities, and offered his great gratitude for Week of Compassion's support of this program as shared in a recent Week of Compassion story. 

Dr. Makari shared his thanks for the ongoing and long-standing collegiality among Disciples through Week of Compassion and Global Ministries, and directed Disciples to a recent partner update from the Middle East Council of Churches Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees (MECC-DSPR), including news of a mobile clinic established in an effort to get care to , as well as the Global Ministries resource page with links to partner updates, a brief background of the current crisis, action alerts and ways to be involved in advocacy, as well as pastoral letters and statements from denominational leaders. 

Week of Compassion remains exceedingly grateful for Peter, Mitri, and the many denominational colleagues and ecumencial partners called to respond in this critical time. ​

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