The Middle East has seen great change in recent times, and several authoritarian regimes have been challenged by citizens' demonstrations. A young and educated population is now challenging older, authoritarian leaders demanding freedom of speech, democracy and social justice.
The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) is a key partner for Norwegian Church Aid in this region. MECC is an umbrella organisation for the four different church families in the region.
Our major country of fucus is The Occupied Palestinian Territory, and we also work together with partners in Israel, Jordan and in Egypt. Norwegian Church Aid is on stand-by to respond to war or natural disasters in the region, and delivered relief aid following the earthquake in Iran in 2004, the war in Lebanon in 2006 and the war in Gaza in 2009.
Norwegian Church Aid's regional office is in Jerusalem.