The recent years of escalating conflict across the Middle East have not only destroyed homes and communities, but has left many battling with mental health issues from profound trauma, stress, and ever-present sense of insecurity. This spiralling mental health crisis needs urgent intervention – and we and our partners are responding, helping young people as they work to rebuild their lives and build a more hopeful tomorrow. Some have bravely shared their stories with us.

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…”

Across the Middle East, the ongoing conflict has brought immense suffering, uncertainty and loss. Yet even in the midst of fear and destruction, our Christian partners there remain steadfast in their commitment to serve their neighbours.

Hanna is one member of the relief team serving families in the Beqaa Valley, distributing the essential Winterisation supplies that your generous support funds. We follow Hanna through a typical day as he meets three different families, offering support to meet physical, emotional and spiritual need.

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.