October 9, 2024

As a Christian organization committed to sharing God’s hope with all those who struggle with hunger and poverty—and the overwhelming hardships that natural disasters and human conflict create—World Renew continues to respond to the humanitarian crisis in the Middle East.

One year since the escalation of hostilities, there is tremendous need in the region. Thousands of families have lost loved ones in the violence. Millions of people are displaced, and many families, having lost their homes and livelihoods, are without access to the essentials of life—such as food, hygiene items, and shelter. Many had fled previous conflicts in the region and are now displaced once again.

World Renew understands that there are no quick or easy solutions and yet we are called to be present and live our mission, regardless of the complexity or the risk. We humbly work where we are invited, where the needs are greatest, and where local authorities may not be able to be relied upon for relief or where they lack sufficient response capacity on their own. This is how World Renew, alongside our Christian partners, seeks to be neighbours demonstrating love; responding to the needs of ordinary people struggling in extraordinarily dire circumstances.

Through these partners, we support Christians of the Middle East so that they might be the hands and feet of Jesus in times of crisis, lending strength to the small but mighty space of Christian testimony across the region who are compelled to embrace, feed, and shelter those fleeing conflict and seeking refuge. Like us, these Christian partners take to heart the lesson of the parable of the good Samaritan which Jesus uses to urge mercy and to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and love your neighbour as yourself.” (Luke 10: 25-37)

As one Christian partner working in Lebanon shared, “As we get to know these [displaced] families, they understand that the reason we serve is because we love Jesus, seek to obey his commands, and walk in his footsteps. That makes people want to know more about him. A lady we helped told me: ‘I see Jesus in you.’”

Through our partnership with the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, World Renew is participating in the Humanitarian Coalition Lebanon appeal. All Canadian donations made between September 24, 2024, and November 3, 2024, will be matched 1:1 by the Canadian Government, up to $3 million. Your gift will help us support the efforts of our trusted partner working on the ground in Lebanon to share Christ’s hope with displaced civilians by providing crucial items such as blankets, mattresses, hygiene items, and food.

Thank you for extending Christ’s love to our global neighbours impacted by this crisis through your gifts and prayers.

Photo credit: Lebanon Live Action