Recently, crisis after crisis has touched the communities we work alongside. And yet, you’ve continued to extend God’s love to where it’s needed most.

Thanks to you, we’ve distributed $144,000 for earthquake response in Myanmar and have raised $145,000 for the Middle East Appeal. While the news headlines may shift, the work of our partners continues to restore communities.

Myanmar

When a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar in March, the destruction was widespread and overwhelming — damaging homes, displacing families, and worsening the hardships already faced by millions.

Thanks to your generous support, and through the leadership of our local partners and churches on the ground, thousands of people received urgent, life-saving assistance.

Through our Myanmar Emergency Appeal, we were able to deliver $144,000 to our partner, World Concern Myanmar (WCM).

The church and local organisations are playing a central role in World Concern Myanmar’s response. World Concern Myanmar is partnering with churches, the Myanmar Council Of Churches, the YMCA, and local civil society organisations to conduct assessments and distribute lifesaving assistance to those who were severely impacted by the earthquake.

WCM’s field teams are currently being hosted by local churches, living alongside survivors in church compounds as they support relief efforts.

WCM is also partnering with volunteer doctor groups and local charity clinics to provide emergency healthcare. Through collaboration with UNICEF and the World Health Organization, they are securing essential medical supplies, including clean delivery kits and newborn care packs for mothers and infants.

Our local partners were among the first to respond, reaching communities where access was most difficult and needs were greatest. Their deep relationships with local churches and communities ensured that assistance was delivered with care, dignity, and in ways that met people's real needs.

Please continue to pray with us:

• Pray for all those affected by this disaster, particularly the most vulnerable. Pray that their needs would be met quickly, and their hope and livelihoods restored.
• Ask God to strengthen local agencies, including Tearfund’s partners, and remove obstacles so they can reach those in greatest need.
• Pray for timely provision of funds and supplies.
• Pray for wisdom and courage for Myanmar’s leaders as they navigate this crisis.

Thank you for standing with people in the Middle East by supporting our Middle East Humanitarian Appeal. Together, we have raised more than $145,000 to provide vital support for people impacted by conflict and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and Lebanon.

Your generosity is reaching people whose lives and hope have been crushed by this crisis, bringing an expression of the love and care of Christ at a time of intense suffering.

Since we launched the Middle East Humanitarian Appeal in February, the situation in the region has intensified. Violence, displacement and economic shocks surged after the ceasefire ended, blockades are cutting off avenues for humanitarian assistance, and last week the UN’s emergency aid coordinating body, OCHA, said the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is likely the worst it has been in the 18 months since the war began.

When the ceasefire ended, Safa Hijazeen, Tearfund’s Regional Director for the Middle East, said:

“The renewal of sudden and unexpected airstrikes on Gaza has left us heartbroken. People are facing a catastrophic situation. Israel must lift its blockade of aid to Gaza and ensure that humanitarian aid is allowed to reach the vulnerable, especially women, children, the elderly, and sick. Tearfund partners have been using every opportunity to provide life-saving medical aid for clinics. We urgently appeal to the international community to ensure restraint, and to focus on an immediate and lasting ceasefire.”

In light of this, we are deeply grateful for your gift and want to let you know how your support is making a life-restoring impact through the work of our partner working locally in Lebanon.

In South Lebanon, your gifts are now at work reaching over 1200 vulnerable young people and adults who are suffering from severe mental health and psychosocial needs due to the prolonged crisis, destruction and displacement. Young people are also being provided with hygiene and dignity kits. This project, which is working through local churches, is vital in building community resilience, reducing distress, and empowering individuals to navigate their challenges.

Many of the people delivering this support are operating in the same context as those they serve – themselves dealing with incredible stress and trauma. Please pray for them to be strengthened, cared for and encouraged to continue in their work, which is a much-needed service alongside other types of aid and assistance that are happening.

Next steps

A portion of the funds raised through the Middle East Humanitarian Appeal have been allocated to support conflict affected people from Gaza and the West Bank. Through the Tearfund Family, we are working closely with partners who are positioned to mobilise the next phase of their response as soon as possible. The situation is extremely complex and alongside barriers in delivering aid, Tearfund is adhering to rigorous due diligence to ensure proper management of funds. We ask for your continued prayers as we wait and discern the next steps in directing this funding to support people from Gaza.