ADRA Confronts Escalating Need in Middle East
17 December 2024 |
Endless strikes on civilians, natural disasters, and ceasefire attempts continue to shake the already fragile climate within the Middle East, placing ADRA on the front lines to grapple with the ever-escalating humanitarian crisis. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) documents that more than 16 million people across the region urgently need humanitarian assistance and protection. Internal displacement, 5 million refugees, destruction of schools, insufficient medical resources, lack of shelter going into winter, and poor access to water and hygiene supplies make addressing such needs a monumental task. However, ADRA is eager to step into the breach. According to a press release:
“ADRA is working closely with national and international partners to ensure a coordinated, effective response to the growing humanitarian crisis in the Middle East. The conflict, compounded by the region’s ongoing economic crisis, is severely straining basic services and deepening the needs of vulnerable families, children, and individuals. As we face the approaching winter months, ADRA remains committed to offering both immediate relief and long-term recovery, helping communities survive and rebuild their lives,” says Nagi Khalil, ADRA country director. “Our focus is on shelter rehabilitation, essential food and water distribution, and protection services while staying flexible to adapt our response as the situation evolves.”
The organization is working to rehabilitate communal kitchens, repair shelter facilities, and support recovery by offering cash assistance when possible for families to repair their houses. Educational and psychological support is offered by providing educational tools such as books and education kits, restoring places of learning, facilitating teacher training, aiding students with disabilities or lack of formal education, and finally, offering mental health support through recreational activities and wellness sessions.
Water and Sanitation Hygiene (WASH) is an initiative project dedicated to installing solar-powered pumping stations and elevated water tanks in neighborhoods, as well as the distribution of hygiene kits. Finally, with the winter months in full swing, coats, blankets, socks, and other materials have been distributed to combat the harsh weather.
For over 20 years, despite the risks and political turmoil, ADRA has been on the frontlines in the Middle East to answer immediate needs and lay the groundwork for long-term recovery.