Syria (MNN) — Syria’s president may be regaining political clout in the Arab world, but it’s not changing much for millions in need today.
Nearly 90 percent of all households in Syria could not meet their basic needs last year. Historic earthquakes in February made things even worse. According to a UN assessment report released earlier this month, Syria needs almost $15 billion to recover following the February earthquakes.
“The needs are humongous. The country is collapsing in terms of the economy; they need to rebuild cities and Christian towns; also, there is a need for trauma healing,” Fadi Sharaiha with MENA Leadership Center says.
Over one million people in northwest Syria need mental health support. Reports say there are only 24 psychologists in the area. MENA Leadership Center equips local Christian leaders to meet the needs of their communities. More about that here.
“I want to take a moment to salute those Christian leaders and Christians still living and surviving in Syria. The current situation is unfortunate,” Sharaiha says.
MLC’s training primarily takes place online, but they could use your help to “go offline” in Syria, coordinating in-person meetings and coaching sessions.
(Photo courtesy of MENA Leadership Center)
Along with training Christian leaders in trauma healing, “we’re focusing more on how to support Christian leaders,” he continues.
“We have managed to train in the last few weeks 264 Christian leaders, including 54 different ministries and churches in Syria [and the MENA.]”
MLC’s training primarily takes place online, but they could use your help to “go offline” in Syria, coordinating in-person meetings and coaching sessions. Connect with MLC here to learn more about this opportunity.
“Just being there with them is very important; [to] have a cup of tea and talk about the problems. We’re [hoping to] find funding so we can go on the ground,” Sharaiha says.
A personal connection would help reinforce the training MLC provides online. Syrian Christians are weary after 12 years of war.
“We’re focusing on the heart issues right now. The war made people feel isolated, and [many are] questioning, ‘Why did God allow this to happen?’ They lost their loved ones, friends, and jobs,” Sharaiha says.
Header image is a representative stock photo courtesy of Mahmoud Sulaiman/Unsplash.
