A father stands with his daughter and two sons.
“Despite all the challenges, I thank Jesus for everything. My faith helps me remain patient during these difficult times. He is the one who gives me the emotional support I need. I trust Him and I have hope in the future—in what may come.” — Rabih*
When peaceful demonstrations in a Middle Eastern country in 2011 escalated into violent conflict, few could have imagined that the crisis would stretch on for more than a decade. Years of war have left hundreds of thousands dead, millions displaced within their own borders, and millions more forced to flee their homes in search of safety.
When Rima* and her husband were forced to flee, they had two small children—one just five months old and the other only eighteen months. Rima remembers running from their home late one rainy night as bombs fell around them. “Some of our neighbours had to leave behind their children; others could not even find them,” she recalls. The wooded area where the families sought refuge was bombed only days later, forcing them to flee once more. “Many people we knew died in front of us,” Rima says quietly. “We ran to the next village, not knowing if we would survive.”
Rima’s story is tragically common. She and her family eventually sought refuge in a neighboring country. Now a mother of five, Rima still dreams of returning home. “We never imagined we would be away this long—it has been seven years,” she says. While many displaced families long to return to their homeland, very few are able to do so. In fact, for every family that returns, several more are forced to flee due to ongoing violence, widespread poverty, and severe food insecurity.
Rabih* also fled to the same neighboring country, but unlike Rima, he has no desire to return. “There is nothing left of the place I once loved,” he says. “If I went back now, I would have nothing—my home is completely destroyed.” A father of seven, Rabih has lived as a refugee for ten years. While he hopes someday to resettle elsewhere, life where he currently lives has become increasingly difficult.
The host country is facing a deep economic crisis, worsened by the COVID‑19 pandemic. Mass unemployment and hyperinflation have caused extreme poverty among refugee families to skyrocket—from just over half to nearly all households. “This country can no longer handle the number of people seeking refuge,” Rabih explains. “Imagine fifteen people sharing a room built for five.” His concern is shared by many, as poverty is also rising sharply among local families.
For now, families like Rima’s and Rabih’s wait. Those still displaced within the conflict‑affected country also wait, watching poverty reach devastating levels. Yet even in the waiting, there is something they share: hope.
For many displaced families and refugees, that hope is strengthened through care provided by local Christian organizations supported by World Renew. Our partners, including MERATH and the Fellowship of Middle East Evangelical Churches, continue to persevere through immense challenges to ensure that help reaches those who need it most. Dalila*, a refugee mother of seven, explains how vital this support has been: “There were times when my husband could not find work to even buy diapers for our children. The assistance always arrives right when we need it most.”
As more families struggle with food insecurity and extreme poverty, a simple act of compassion—a meal, infant supplies, or hygiene kits—becomes a powerful light in the darkness. These moments of care remind families on the brink of despair that they have not been forgotten.
A local priest who has faithfully stayed with his community to provide essential aid to displaced families sums it up best: “We feel that we are not alone. We are deeply moved to know that people around the world still care for us, pray for us, and support us.”
As we pass the ten‑year mark of this devastating conflict, with no clear end in sight, our brothers and sisters who have endured so much loss still need to know they are not alone. Through our prayers and generosity, we can share the hope of Jesus Christ. We become His light—shining in the darkness.
*Names and locations changed for security.
