A humanitarian crisis is unfolding right now in Lebanon, and for hundreds of thousands of families, survival has become a daily question. As conflict intensifies once again, the impact on families—especially women and children—is overwhelming.
In today’s conversation on Faith and Finance, May-Lee Melki of Heart for Lebanon shared what is happening on the ground, how their team is responding, and how believers can help bring both urgent relief and lasting hope.
A Nation in Crisis Once Again
For many in Lebanon, this is not the first season of displacement and fear. The nation has endured years of instability, economic collapse, and refugee pressures. Now, renewed conflict has forced countless families from their homes yet again.
More than one million people have been internally displaced in just a matter of weeks—roughly 20% of the country’s population. Entire regions have become uninhabitable, leaving families to seek shelter wherever they can: schools, unfinished buildings, sidewalks, parks, and vehicles.
This crisis is especially severe because it comes after years of economic hardship. Since the financial collapse of 2019, many families have already lost savings, jobs, and financial stability. For those already living on the edge, another wave of displacement is devastating.
What the Need Looks Like on the Ground
Behind every statistic is a family trying to survive.
Heart for Lebanon reported that official shelters are nearly full, while many informal shelters lack basic necessities such as clean water, sanitation, and heat. Families often arrive with little more than the clothes they are wearing. Children are missing school. Parents are searching for food, safety, and a place to sleep.
During one field update, Bachir, a Hope Center Director in the Bekaa Valley, described visiting a school where displaced families were staying. Their team distributed blankets, mattresses, and food packages while praying that these acts of care would reflect the love and hope of Christ.
Meeting Urgent Needs—and Sharing Lasting Hope
What makes the ministry of Heart for Lebanon so compelling is that they are not only meeting physical needs. They are also offering relational care and pointing families to the unshakable hope found in Jesus Christ.
Their team has been on the ground since the beginning of the conflict, delivering food, bedding, hygiene supplies, and emergency assistance. But beyond that, they are building relationships, praying with families, and sharing the gospel in some of life’s most vulnerable moments.
As May-Lee explained, when everything else has been stripped away, people are often more open to hearing about a hope that extends beyond present suffering.
That reflects the heart of 1 John 3:18: “Let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”
One of Heart for Lebanon's unique strengths is that it is led and staffed by local believers. Many team members are enduring the same hardships as the families they serve. Some have been displaced themselves.
Because they live in the communities they serve, they can respond quickly, build trust deeply, and remain faithfully present long after headlines fade. Their ministry is not temporary relief—it is long-term, relational care rooted in the love of Christ.
How You Can Respond
In moments like this, the Church has an opportunity to be the Church.
A gift of $90 can provide a ne
