“Yemen is desperate for peace,” Lise Grande, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Yemen, said of the world’s worst humanitarian crisis in which 24 million people have no choice but to depend on international aid.
Middle East
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
‘Feel the pain,’ Lebanese cardinal urges government as poverty increases
With Lebanon celebrating its centenary this year, Cardinal Rai said perhaps it “is passing through the harshest stage” of its existence.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Religious freedom commission says U.S. cannot ignore northeast Syria
The independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission said it aims to defend the universal right to freedom of religion abroad and makes policy recommendations to the U.S. administration.
Posted inFaith, Podcasts
Podcast: Why the Holy See opposes Israel’s plan to annex parts of the West Bank
This week on “Inside the Vatican,” the hosts discuss the Holy See’s opposition to a U.S.-backed proposal for Israel to annex up to 30 percent of the West Bank.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Lebanon’s economy was already reeling. Coronavirus may push it into collapse.
As much as 75 percent of Lebanon’s population is in need of emergency assistance.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Vatican Dispatch
The Vatican objects to Israeli plan to annex Palestinian territory
“The Holy See is following the situation closely and expresses concern about any future actions that could further compromise dialogue.”
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Church leaders oppose Israeli plans to annex unilaterally West Bank land
Catholic leaders in the Holy Land believe that continued Israeli annexation of West Bank land could end any hope of Palestinian-Israeli rapprochement.
Posted inFaith, News
Maronites plan help as Lebanese families slide into poverty
Nearly 50% of Lebanese are living below the poverty line, and unemployment has reached 35% of the working population, according to the government.
Posted inFaith, News
During Easter homilies, Middle East patriarchs speak of faith and hope
From Damascus, Syria, Melkite Catholic Patriarch Joseph Absi stressed how faith and hope are needed “in these difficult days that we live in pain, in anxiety and fear.”
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Aid group says Mideast lockdowns hinder humanitarian efforts
In Syria, an open-ended nightly curfew took effect Wednesday at 6 p.m. local time (1600 GMT). State TV showed police patrolling the empty streets of Damascus and other main cities.