Lily (Programme Manager at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) - an Embrace partner based in Damascus, Syria) has worked in the development sector providing humanitarian aid for many years. She considers her work to be the greatest expression of her Christian faith.

Wael is Programme Manager at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) - an Embrace partner based in Damascus, Syria. One project currently providing a great source of hope for Wael is the training programme for Community Health Peer Educators, funded by Embrace.

Amina was pulled out of school at the age of 12 and sent to work, before being married off to an older man who treated her violently for many years. Here, she recounts how a support centre at a local church - which Embrace is helping to fund through our partner MERATH - has helped her to rebuild her life…

When Belal learnt he had a serious heart condition and needed open-heart surgery, the news was doubly devastating. Without surgery he was unlikely to survive – but he had no way of paying for an operation. Thankfully he was able to find help through Embrace’s partner the St Vincent de Paul Society.

Arwa and her husband have faced unimaginable hardships since the earthquake in February 2023 damaged their home in Aleppo. They describe how the church has supported them - and share their hopes and fears for the future.

Elderly people are deeply affected by the successive crises that have hit Syria in recent years. 74-year-old Virginia explains how the church has been a lifeline for her since the earthquake struck in February 2023.

“During the earthquake, the walls of the home cracked, and all the glass was shattered. The refrigerator broke and most of our food provisions were spoiled. We escaped our house in fear and sat down in the street.” Read more about what life is like for Sona, an earthquake survivor in Syria.

Many families in Syria have lost their homes and income sources as a result of the devastating earthquake in February 2023. One Armenian family explains how they keep going – despite continuing to live in a crisis situation.

“I am now receiving the emotional support I was greatly lacking”. Find out how the Embrace-supported Child Friendly Space in Syria helped not only Rania’s three children, but Rania herself.