An Update from our partners, the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees (DSPR) and the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

 

“Since January 2025, the context across Gaza, Lebanon, the West Bank, Nazareth, and Jordan has remained deeply impacted by ongoing political instability, economic hardship, and humanitarian crises.

Lebanon continues to grapple with severe economic collapse, compounding the vulnerability of both host communities and Palestinian refugees.  Despite the ceasefire that took place towards the end of 2024, the country is continuing to suffer across the board. DSPR Lebanon is continuing to help and support the people who were displaced from their living areas to safer areas, especially the refugee camps where we work. In Gaza, the aftermath of prolonged war has resulted in widespread displacement and critical shortages in basic services.”

 

Into such settings, DSPR has been successful in providing support health programs (physical and mental) in Gaza and Jordan; economic empowerment and development initiatives in Lebanon and the West Bank; the sustained delivery of psychosocial support in Gaza as well as other humanitarian interventions in the different impacted regions.

 

DSPR continues to provide basic humanitarian items such as unconditional cash (vital where a cash economy is still the norm), general medical and primary health care, food and non-food relief items to the poorest and the most vulnerable.

 

Christian World Service stands with all who are calling for immediate cessation of hostilities and safe corridors for food to reach the Gaza population. We are fortunate to have a relationship with the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees (DSPR) since 1950. In the face of the continuing and horrendous human disaster unfolding in the Middle East, we continue raising funds in Aotearoa New Zealand to help DSPR continue to provide aid where most needed.