Middle East Region
Dorcas is active in five countries in the Middle East: Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Egypt and Yemen.
Our involvement in Iraq, Lebanon and Syria stems from a protracted state of humanitarian crisis. The nature of armed conflict continues to grow in scale and complexity throughout the region.
We work to bring about resilience and recovery for displaced individuals in all four countries - struck by security threats and human rights violations
The transformational work of the Oasis Community Centre
In one of Cairo’s most marginalised communities, commonly referred to as the ‘garbage collectors’ district’, families live under constant strain from poverty, addiction, violence and social exclusion. Since 2014, the Oasis Community Centre of Dorcas, operated by our implementing partner Live Vision, has played a vital role in delivering multifaceted, community-based support.
Unseen struggles
Although we can catch glimpses of global events through the media, many crises remain underrepresented. The complex situation in Yemen is a case in point, despite the urgent need for greater support. Yemen is grappling with a deeply challenging and complex situation that calls for our attention.
Project participants who received help through relief efforts.
Children we are able to reach through our programmes and safety nets.
People who were a part of our Early Recovery interventions.
Syria
Around 66% of people in Syria live in extreme poverty. The country has long been plagued by uncertainty, conflict and disaster. The February 2023 earthquake exacerbated an already dire situation for the Syrian population.
Today, many people need support. Dorcas Syria works to provide emergency relief, protection, and psychosocial support to internally displaced persons (IDPs) across Syria.
Our community-driven programmes prioritise supporting women and girls, who are often marginalised. We also contribute towards reconciliation and structural transformation, which are both key aspects of our work.
Lebanon
Over the past decade, Lebanon has experienced significant disaster and conflict, as well as economic hardship. These compounding issues have resulted in 44 per cent of people currently living in poverty, with daily consumption below $3. Meanwhile, the country is also dealing with a vast influx of refugees, particularly from Syria. The country's ageing infrastructure and overcrowded IDP camps are struggling to cope with the numbers.
Dorcas works across Lebanon to deliver vital emergency humanitarian assistance, psychosocial support, and community-based protection. We also provide entrepreneurial training to give refugees and Lebanese people a sense of hope and prospects for the future.
Iraq
Iraq is grappling with the severe consequences of the global climate crisis. According to UN figures, it is in the top five countries most severely impacted by climate change. The rate of increase in temperatures in Iraq is seven times faster than the global average. This could lead to a new influx of internally displaced persons (IDPs) as food insecurity increases and people flee the consequences of global warming.
Empowering communities to adapt to these consequences is therefore Dorcas Iraq's main focus. We raise awareness, train farmers in climate-smart agriculture, and strive to ensure that the people of Iraq can build a resilient future with a healthy environment and employment opportunities.
Egypt
Dorcas Egypt's work focuses on improving the position of marginalised people and communities, particularly women and girls. We work closely with our long-term partner, Life Vision, to achieve this.
One of our key projects is the Oasis Community Centre, which provides family-centred support. Our aim is to support entire households through entrepreneurial training, income-generating skills development, life skills training, and educational and psychosocial support. This enables us to foster sustainable change for families and the wider community. Oasis is also increasingly recognised as a Centre of Excellence, sharing its model with other community-based organisations, social initiatives and NGOs.
We have also recently launched a three-year PIP project in Upper Egypt. This approach is relatively new to the Middle East, but it directly addresses some of the region's most pressing environmental and social challenges, including climate change, land degradation, gender inequality, and economic migration.
Yemen
In Yemen, there is a worrying increase in the number of people facing food insecurity, with some populations now facing the threat of famine for the first time since 2022. Nearly half of the country's population currently experience high levels of acute food insecurity. There is en urgent need for ongoing intervention.
Dorcas Yemen implements programmes in various sectors, including health, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), food security and livelihoods, and protection, in order to support women, children, people with disabilities and marginalised groups.