Video update: What began as a small pilot project in Rahbeh northern Lebanon, to support the economically deprived community there has grown into a flourish farm and dairy. Today, as the Israel-Hezbollah conflict intensifies, those families in Rahbeh are now helping others by sending vital supplies from the farm’s dairy to help some of the over 1 million people now displaced in the country.

“In my 10 years of working as a Partnerships Manager at Embrace, I have borne witness to the most extraordinary chronology of political, economic and social events to befall one tiny Mediterranean country and its people – Lebanon… what has continued to astonish me throughout this period is the seemingly irrepressible spirit of our Christian partners and friends… But the latest regional war in the Middle East is upending everything…”

During the autumn of 2024, the Israel-Hezbollah war turned life upside down for many of Lebanon’s citizens, but what has life been like since the ceasefire? Has life been able to return to normal or are there lasting scars? We’ve the latest updates from our partners in Lebanon.

Many families in the informal settlement of Hay El Gharbeh in southern Beirut lack legal documents such as birth certificates or identity documents. This is more than the inconvenience of missing paperwork, it means blocked access to healthcare, education, and dignity. Our partner, Tahaddi is walking beside families on their journey to be seen, recognised and protected.

IN PICTURES - snapshots from life on the farm. It began as a small pilot project in 2021, with no guarantee of success; this year they are celebrating a bumper harvest.

The Middle East is one of the areas of the world most affected by climate change. At a recent conference in Jordan, Christians came together to share the diverse ways they are working to tackle the issue in the region. Embrace’s Programmes, Partnerships & Advocacy Director, Dr Ruth Valerio was there. Here she shares her report on the conference and how Embrace’s project are playing their part.

Dr Hussein Ismail, the founder and director of Embrace’s partner the Learning Centre for the Deaf in Lebanon, tells us of the work of the centre, the impact of the recent war, and the importance of his Christian faith.

In this long-read, Embrace’s Rev Su McClellan shares a vivid personal account of her recent trip to Lebanon. She describes the lasting impact of the recent Israel-Hezbollah war, and how the local Christians that Embrace supports are rebuilding and continuing to serve their communities with love and compassion.

Our partner MERATH has already been supporting families displaced by the Israel-Hezbollah conflict for many months. Claudette, one of their volunteers, told us what they’d been doing and how the escalation in the violence has made what was an already extremely difficult situation, a critical one.