The Voice of the suffering in Middle East

Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) is making an urgent appeal for prayer and support for the Christian community and all residents of Aleppo, Syria, who face a worsening humanitarian crisis following the recent occupation of the city by anti-government rebel groups, some of whom have clear jihadist orientations. Although these groups have promised respect, the situation remains uncertain and extremely insecure for the contested areas.  The counteroffensive by the Syrian army has brought devastating airstrikes on the city. ...

Following a heartfelt plea from a missionary and ACN’s project partner in Aleppo, the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) calls on all people of faith to unite in prayer for the safety and peace of this war-torn region.  In a voice message shared with ACN, Father Hugo Alaniz, IVE, an Argentine missionary, described the dire situation currently unfolding around Aleppo, where extremist groups have launched a surprise offensive. Several villages have been seized, and vital routes, ...

Besides the human casualties and material damage, Israel’s war with Hezbollah is causing mass movements of people in a country where demography is always a very sensitive topic, which could cause problems in the future. As Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon continues, those who have been displaced by the bombings and the ones hosting and caring for them are showing signs of physical and psychological exhaustion, says Marielle Boutros, project coordinator for the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in ...

With Islamist groups gaining political influence in Bangladesh, Church sources are increasingly concerned about the treatment of Christians and ongoing attacks on Catholic schools.  In Bangladesh, Christians often struggle to find work, church construction projects are delayed, and the future of Catholic schools is under threat, according to a Church source who wished to remain anonymous for security reasons.  Speaking with Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), the unnamed source said that religious freedom, despite being guaranteed ...

ACN supported the construction of a new floor for a kindergarten in Enishke, allowing it to expand its services, receive more children from families in the surrounding villages, including Kurds and Yazidis, and help sow the seeds of peace and fraternity for future generations.  The Enishke village is located in the Diocese of Dohuk, in a mountainous region of Iraqi Kurdistan in northern Iraq.   Christian, Kurdish, and Yazidi families live in the many settlements around Enishke, struggling to survive in ...

The Archdiocese of Baalbek-Deir El-Ahmar in the Beqaa Valley, in eastern Lebanon, is suffering a major humanitarian and security crisis as a result of the daily Israeli bombardment. In an interview with ACN, Monsignor Hanna Rahmé describes the Church’s solidarity with internally displaced people and the disastrous situation that has led many to take refuge in Syria.  “Each of the Christian families in the villages around Deir El-Ahmar has welcomed three or four displaced families — that is, between 30 ...