WCC NEWS: Middle East Council of Churches calls on the international community for emergency aid, urges lifting sanctions on Syria

Following the devastating Turkey-Syria earthquake on 6 February, the presidents of the Middle East Council of Churches held an emergency meeting to discuss the disaster and how to respond. Ecumenical prayer service during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in Lebanon on Sunday 22 January 2023 brought together the Heads of Churches in the Middle East under the title of this year’s Week of Prayer: “Do good; seek justice” (Isaiah 1:17). Photo: MECC 07 February 2023 They mentioned that all the churches in the Middle East “have put their resources at the disposal of the affected and displaced people due to the earthquake, since the first moments of the disaster, despite their limited resources as a result of the blockade.” The Middle East Council of Churches also called on the international community and the international ecumenical family to provide urgent emergency aid to the region, in coordination with the Middle East Council of Churches, the churches, and their affiliated institutions. “We urge the immediate lifting of sanctions on Syria and allowing access to all materials, so sanctions may not turn into a crime against humanity,” reads the message. The message concludes by noting that the churches in the Middle East, which always support their people, “will spare no effort in doing all they can to relieve their pain and lead them towards prosperity and progress.” World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay assured the Middle East Council of Churches that the WCC stands in solidarity with their call.  Pillay said “In a time of disaster and crisis of such proportion we all need to stand together in support and offer the needed assistance to help the suffering, injured and the families who have lost loved ones, properties and belongings. Let us do all we can to help!” Churches reach out with care and prayers in wake of powerful earthquake in Turkey and Syria (WCC news release 6 February 2023) Aid and prayers from churches across the world stream in for earthquake survivors (WCC news release 7 February 2023) The Middle East Council of Churches call on the International Community Mehr Sehen

Der Ökumenische Rat der Kirchen (ÖRK) fördert die Einheit der Christen im Glauben, Zeugnis und Dienst für eine gerechte und friedliche Welt. 1948 als ökumenische Gemeinschaft von Kirchen gegründet, gehören dem ÖRK inzwischen 352 Mitgliedskirchen an, die zusammen über 580 Millionen Christen aus protestantischen, orthodoxen, anglikanischen und anderen Traditionen in mehr als 120 Ländern repräsentieren. Es gibt eine enge Zusammenarbeit mit der römisch-katholischen Kirche. Der ÖRK-Generalsekretär ist Pastor Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay von der Presbyterianischen Unionskirche im südlichen Afrika. Unsere Besuchsadresse ist: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland