I (Claire) recently started working at Embrace the Middle East, a Christian development charity that works in partnership with organisations based in the Middle East. We aim to help the most vulnerable and disadvantaged from all communities regardless of faith.

 

One of our partner organisations in Lebanon is the Lebanese Society for Educational and Social Development. LSESD are currently running an emergency relief programme in both Lebanon and Syria to support vulnerable families that have been displaced by the savage fighting and relentless conflict of the Syrian civil war. By working with local churches who are embedded in communities, they can reach the most needy families of all faiths. They are providing vital relief to families that literally have nothing, in the form of food parcels, blankets, mattresses, stoves and fuel.

 

I was in Lebanon in April and I met some of the refugee families who have recently arrived from Syria. I was deeply shocked and distressed to witness how little these families have upon arrival, the terrible conditions they are having to live in, and the traumatic experiences they have been through that forced them to leave their homes. While in Lebanon they may be relatively safe, they face unemployment, high costs of living and increasing intolerance and distrust from the local population.

 

Embrace the Middle East is currently appealing for funds to continue to support this vital work. You can read more about our appeal on our website: http://www.embraceme.org/syria2013