Snow and frost are not only a reality in our part of the world. Winters in Syria and Lebanon are surprisingly harsh, with temperatures dropping below zero and moisture seeping through the thin walls of makeshift shelters.
This winter in Syria and Lebanon, as in previous years, brings significant regional weather variations – from rain and humidity to frost and heavy snowfall, especially in the mountains and northwestern refugee camps, where snow blocks roads and destroys tents. The humanitarian crisis exacerbates the effects of winter, causing shortages of fuel, heating, and warm clothing.
That is why, together with the Friends of the Mission Foundation run by Father Waldemar Cisło, we want to help Christians in these regions survive the winter.
Lebanon – The Land of Cedars in Ruins
Lebanon, once an oasis of religious freedom and cultural dialogue, is now plunged into one of the worst humanitarian crises of the 21st century. After years of conflict and economic collapse, over 80% of the population lives below the poverty line. The national currency has lost almost all of its value, food and medicine prices are skyrocketing, and children – rather than attending school – are forced to work to help their families survive.
Everyday Life in the Shadow of War
Although the war in Syria has lasted for over a decade, the suffering of its people continues. Chaos, destruction, and ongoing struggles for influence mean that millions of Syrians still live without access to basic necessities. The situation is particularly difficult for Christians – small but remarkably resilient communities that have been part of this land for generations. In places such as Maalula – one of the last towns where the language of Jesus, Aramaic, is still spoken – the final bastions of Christian presence remain. Their survival today depends on our solidarity.
“Sometimes I close my eyes and imagine that our house is warm again. But when I wake up, it’s still cold,” says Fatima, a 9-year-old girl from Aleppo.
Our project “Help for the Holy Land” provides concrete assistance to families in Syria and Lebanon who face winter without food or fuel. We pay special attention to Christian communities, which for centuries have been the spiritual foundation of this region and today need support themselves in order to survive.
Funds collected through the project will be used to purchase food parcels and firewood:
- 150 PLN – provides a food package for a family of four,
- 80 PLN – covers a bundle of firewood for the coldest nights.
Why Is This Important?
- Lebanon is home to over 1.5 million Syrian refugees, while the country itself is struggling with dramatic inflation (over 200% annually)..
- In Syria, as much as 90% of the population lives in poverty, with severely limited access to basic food and medicines.
- Christian communities—once vibrant and numerous—are shrinking at an alarming rate. Between 1910 and 2010, the proportion of Christians in the Middle East fell from 13.6% to 4.2%, and by the end of 2025, it is expected to decline further to 3.6%.
Help us save not only lives, but also the spiritual heritage of Christianity in the Middle East.
