Dorcas Ukraine has taken significant steps forward with its psychosocial support programme for internally displaced persons and others affected by the ongoing conflict in the Zakarpattia region. Around 6,800 people have participated in various programme activities, receiving support in the form of group meetings, individual consultations, training events and other assistance depending on their needs.

The Connect programme

A total of 1,216 participants completed the Dorcas Connect programme, which was designed to provide a space for people to reconnect with themselves and others. To ensure that the knowledge and tools acquired through the programme continue to be available to communities, providing sustainable support, training was also conducted for 1,107 Connect facilitators.

Psychosocial support through creativity and music

Sounds of Change training sessions were delivered to 60 facilitators and 23 trainers through the collaborative efforts of Dorcas, the ‘How Are You?’ mental health support programme, the NGO Sol Diez, and the Sounds of Change team of trainers.

These sessions equipped specialists to implement musical and creative approaches in psychosocial support, thereby enhancing the variety and accessibility of the available assistance.

Evidence-based psychological support (PM+)

In collaboration with WHO and the ‘How Are You?’ programme, Dorcas Ukraine continued to promote evidence-based assistance methods. In particular, it focused on the short-term psychological intervention “Problem Management Plus” (PM+).

Training was conducted for four groups, reaching 61 community representatives. The PM+ programme provides people experiencing high levels of distress and reduced functioning with access to quality psychological support at the community level.

This was made possible thanks to the collaboration of Dorcas Ukraine, the NGO ‘Nehemiah’, the ‘How Are You?’ programme, the Zakarpattia Oblast Centre for Social Services and the Zakarpattia Oblast State Administration.

To prevent specialists from facing challenging cases alone, the project team organised 54 hours of group supervision and 572 hours of one-to-one supervision. Supporting those who support others is an essential part of maintaining a high-quality support system.

Amid the hostilities in Ukraine, there has been a significant decline in the purchasing power of people in the most vulnerable circumstances. These include older people and people with disabilities who have been severely affected by the ongoing conflict.

Dorcas provides hygiene kits containing basic essentials to residents of Zaporizhzhia. Thanks to funding from EO Metterdaad, the Dorcas Ukraine team has distributed 210 kits to people with disabilities over the past five months.

Through this joint contribution, hundreds of people have received high-quality care that will prevent complications associated with prolonged bed rest, ease the burden on family members or caregivers, and uphold a sense of dignity in everyday life.

Since the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, Lebanon has seen large-scale internal displacement. Entire villages have been evacuated, families have fled their homes, and children are sleeping on the streets. To respond to this urgent need, Dorcas is collaborating with EO Metterdaad.

EO Metterdaad is a long-running Dutch humanitarian television programme that highlights global crises and supports emergency assistance initiatives. Through this collaboration, Dorcas and EO Metterdaad aim to highlight the real stories behind the statistics and news items and raise funds to support those in need. So many people have had to flee their homes, losing their security in the process, and now rely on assistance.

Arjan Lock, CEO and presenter at the Evangelical Broadcasting (EO), is currently in Lebanon to document and share the stories of those affected. He is meeting displaced families and Dorcas humanitarian staff to witness and record the scale of the crisis for several television broadcasts in the Netherlands.

‘I see how urgent the need is,’ Arjan said. ‘So many people have fled violence while Lebanon itself is already under great strain. Dorcas staff are doing everything they can to support, providing food, blankets, clothing and temporary shelter. But the crisis is bigger than they can manage alone – more support is urgently needed.’

Dorcas’ response in Lebanon

Dorcas has been responding to the urgent needs of people in Lebanon since the beginning of the escalation and is now scaling up its humanitarian assistance. We have also launched an emergency campaign in the Netherlands to raise funds for our work in Lebanon. This allows us to provide life-saving assistance to displaced families.

Najla, Dorcas’ Country Director in Lebanon, explains:
People are terrified and shelters are overcrowded. Assistance cannot wait – people need our support now.

The Dutch TV broadcasts of EO Metterdaad

The situation in Lebanon will be featured in special broadcasts of EO Metterdaad on Saturday 21 and 28 March at 17:50 CET on Dutch channel NPO 2. The programmes follow Dorcas staff as they provide assistance to families who have lost everything.

The photos in this article are made by the EO

Nearly two weeks after the escalation of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the situation in Lebanon has become extremely dire. The sharp rise in bombardments since 2 March 2026 has caused widespread displacement and severe humanitarian consequences. 

Ongoing mass displacement 

On March 13, ReliefWeb reported that one in seven people in Lebanon are now displaced, equating to over 800,000 people. Local sources have informed Dorcas that local authorities already estimate the number of displaced people to be over a million. These figures are expected to rise as continued airstrikes cause widespread chaos and insecurity. 

Large numbers of people continue to sleep in public spaces and along the coast, having fled with few belongings and with no access to safe housing. Shelters are under immense pressure and are severely overstretched, with essential supplies depleting rapidly. 

The situation is highly critical. Women, children, older people and people with disabilities face heightened risks due to overcrowding, psychological distress and restricted access to services. Without continued, urgent assistance, families will face worsening food insecurity, harsher living conditions and an increased risk to their safety. 

Dorcas offering immediate support 

From the very beginning of the escalation, Dorcas has been supporting those in need. Our aim is to contribute to the immediate protection of the growing number of people affected. We do this by ensuring timely access to life-saving food assistance, emergency shelter, essential non-food items and integrated protection support. Our support includes: 

‘We left with only the clothes we were wearing’ 

Zeinab (68) fled her home with her son and grandchildren and is now living in a temporary shelter for displaced families. In total, eight members of her family share a small space inside the school. ‘We left our home quickly. There was no time to pack anything,’ she explains. 

The journey to the shelter took more than 24 hours. Roads were heavily congested with families fleeing at the same time, turning what should have been a short trip into a long and stressful ordeal. 

‘I was worried the entire time,’ Zeinab says. ‘Not for myself, but for my grandchildren. I tried to stay calm so they wouldn’t feel how scared I was. As a grandmother, I try to stay strong for them. But it is not easy when everything in our lives has changed so suddenly.’ 

On arrival, the family received basic mattresses and blankets to help them settle in. While grateful for the support, daily life in the shelter remains difficult. Like many displaced families, Zeinab and her relatives now rely on humanitarian assistance and community support to cope with each day, while hoping for stability and the chance to return home. 

Over the past couple of weeks, the situation in the Middle East has become extremely volatile. Ongoing missile strikes across multiple countries have significantly destabilised the region. Although conditions continue to shift, the overall environment is one of uncertainty and escalating risk. 

Dorcas maintains country offices in Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Yemen and Iraq. The impact of recent developments varies considerably across these countries, with Lebanon currently the most affected and facing the greatest needs. This update provides an overview of each country office and how the evolving situation is influencing our work. 

Lebanon 

Lebanon is currently facing a severe and rapidly escalating humanitarian crisis. Sustained airstrikes have affected southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, Baalbek‑Hermel, Beirut, and Mount Lebanon. Large-scale evacuation orders have caused widespread panic and mass displacement. This escalation comes on top of Lebanon’s multi-year economic collapse, leaving communities in urgent need. 

According to UNHCR, around 517,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon, with more than 117,000 staying in collective shelters. In addition, in the first week of March, over 70,000 Syrians living in Lebanon and nearly 7,000 Lebanese crossed back to Syria, reflecting the scale of recent movements (source UNHCR, March 9th). Recent numbers indicate a displacement of at least 667,000 people (source UNHCR, March 10th).

Many displaced people are fleeing with minimal belongings, seeking shelter in schools, public spaces, and overcrowded collective shelters. Capacity in these sites is overstretched, with urgent needs for food, safe water, hygiene items, protection, and psychosocial support.

Najla, Dorcas Country Director in Lebanon and Syria, describes:

‘People are out on the roads, on the streets and beaches. They are staying outside at night as they have no place to go. We need to start distributing necessary items, such as food parcels now. People need food today. We cannot wait.’ 

Dorcas has been responding immediately since the beginning of the escalation. The response includes: 

This response is being scaled up rapidly in the coming days and weeks. 

Iraq 

The situation in Iraq is tense. The Dorcas Iraq team is safe and maintaining project activities where possible. Communities are experiencing anxiety, particularly in areas already facing limited services, although many continue to show resilience and remain engaged in programme activities. Our teams remain in close contact with them. 

Our projects in Iraq are somewhat affected by travel restrictions and limited access to certain locations. Some activities in areas such as Sinjar and Basra have been rescheduled due to the security situation. 

In recent days, there have been several recent drone incidents targeting critical sites, including industrial facilities and hotels. These developments are concerning, and Dorcas continues to monitor the situation closely. 

Syria  

The situation in Syria is calm at the moment, and the team has not yet been significantly affected by the recent instability and conflict. Although there have been minor incidents, our colleagues on the ground report that life is continuing relatively unchanged. The Dorcas Syria team has been in regular contact with colleagues in Lebanon, discussing ways to provide support and taking steps to do so. 

Egypt 

The situation in Egypt remains stable. All Dorcas staff, the communities in which we work, and our programmes are safe, and there have been no reports of security threats. The main challenge at present is the substantial increase in prices, which is limiting participants’ access to essential goods and services. 

Yemen 

The situation in Yemen, both in the north and the south, remains relatively calm. There have been no significant new impacts on Dorcas’ projects, and the Dorcas Yemen team is generally coping well. 

However, Yemen continues to face a prolonged crisis that requires urgent attention. In addition, a projected increase in fuel prices is expected to further exacerbate the economic situation. 

The situation in the Middle East has become increasingly unstable in recent days, with ongoing missile strikes reported across several countries in the region. This has led to growing insecurity, disruptions to airspace and transport routes, and rising humanitarian concerns.

While developments continue to shift rapidly, the overall picture is one of regional uncertainty and elevated risk.

Dorcas has Country Offices in Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Yemen and Iraq. Our primary concern remains the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues, partners, and project participants across the region. We continue to follow developments closely.

We kindly ask you to keep the people in the region in your thoughts and prayers, and to join us in hoping for peace and stability across the Middle East.

Communities in Fedis and Midega Tola woredas, East Hararge, Ethiopia, are facing acute and rapidly worsening food insecurity following prolonged drought conditions. In response, Dorcas has launched a rapid, multi‑sectoral emergency intervention to support 28,000 drought‑affected people in the Fedis and Midega Tola woredas, as well as surrounding towns and market centres including Harar and Dire Dawa.

Running from 31 January to 16 April 2026, the programme is designed to deliver immediate, life‑saving assistance while helping households stabilise their living conditions and reduce reliance on harmful coping strategies. The intervention is funded by the Start Network and implemented by World Jewish Relief, Dorcas Ethiopia, and Coalition Child Support Association at £350,000.

Targeting those in the most vulnerable situations

The crisis disproportionately impacts people already experiencing multiple vulnerabilities. Dorcas prioritises households headed by women and girls, pregnant and caregiving women, persons with disabilities, older adults, and Indigenous populations. These groups were identified through rapid assessments and community consultations as being at the highest risk of deteriorating food security, protection concerns, and loss of income.

A multi‑sectoral approach to an urgent crisis

To respond effectively to diverse and urgent needs, the programme integrates cash assistance, in‑kind support, WASH interventions, and protection services.

Cash transfers

More than 12,600 people will receive multipurpose cash transfers, enabling families to immediately purchase essential food and basic items. Market assessments confirm that local markets are functional and able to absorb increased demand, making cash the most efficient and dignified means of support.

In‑kind support

An additional 13,850 people will benefit from distributions of food and non‑food items. These include WASH materials, shelter kits and health‑related supplies—items that are critical when household resources are severely strained.

WASH activities

Safe access to water, sanitation and hygiene services is essential to preventing disease outbreaks during food crises. The project therefore restores access to safe water and provides hygiene materials to reduce health risks for affected families.

Livelihoods and early recovery support

In addition to meeting immediate survival needs, the project includes activities aimed at protecting and restoring livelihoods. This includes provision of animal feed to prevent further loss of livestock—an asset central to rural livelihoods in East Hararge.

Protection and psychosocial support

Crises heighten risks of exploitation, violence, and social exclusion. Dorcas therefore integrates safeguarding, psychosocial support, and community‑based feedback mechanisms to protect dignity and ensure assistance is appropriate and accountable.

Measuring impact

Success for this rapid response is defined by measurable improvements in household safety, well‑being, dignity, and coping capacity within a 45‑day window. By supporting both immediate needs and early recovery, the intervention aims to reduce the use of negative coping strategies – such as skipping meals, forced migration, or selling essential assets – and to strengthen resilience ahead of longer‑term recovery efforts.

Building foundations for longer‑term recovery

While this emergency response provides urgent assistance, it also creates a foundation for more sustainable interventions. The combination of cash support, livelihood protection and strengthening of local market systems supports communities maintain critical stability while recovery and development programmes are mobilised.

Dorcas remains committed to standing alongside vulnerable households in East Hararge, ensuring they receive the support they need. Not only to survive the current crisis, but to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.

Written by: Agnes Kroese, CEO of Dorcas.

The conflict in Ukraine has now been ongoing for nearly four years. For four years, people on the front line have tried to carry on with their lives while facing an ever-present threat. Sometimes, it seems impossible that things could get any worse.

During my visit to Ukraine in 2023, I witnessed the conditions on the front line up close. I was deeply affected by it. Explosions could be heard everywhere, alarms went off at night making sleep almost impossible, and you could not let your guard down for a single moment. At the same time, life goes on: people go to work, do the shopping, cook and live in their homes, even though any building could become a target. As a visitor, it felt surreal to me. But I can return to my safe home in the Netherlands. For those who live there, this is their home and their life.

The team in Ukraine

During my visit, I became even more impressed by the Dorcas Ukraine team. Our colleagues work under constant pressure. They care for the people we support, as well as for themselves and their loved ones. The mental strain they endure is enormous, and their dedication is admirable.

It also became clear to me that destroyed buildings are not just piles of rubble. We see images on TV and feel no connection to those places. However, if you live there and have put down roots, then that is the school where you played as a child, the office where you had your first job interview and the church where you and your children were baptised and married. Everything that shapes your life is suddenly affected.

It did get worse…

This winter has been extreme. For those living on the front line, electricity can be cut off for over seventeen hours a day, while temperatures regularly plummet well below zero. The cold is exhausting and has a profound physical and mental impact. If your phone battery dies during shelling or drone attacks, it becomes almost impossible to stay in touch with loved ones, keep up to date with the news or monitor the threat level in your area.

This is where Dorcas steps in. Our emergency kits, which include a sleeping bag, a portable gas stove and a power bank, provide people on the front line with warmth and practical support in these impossible circumstances. These things may seem small, but they make a real difference.

Alongside these kits, Dorcas’s work continues: our colleagues support people every day with groceries, hygiene kits, psychosocial care and all other forms of assistance. Together with the support of everyone contributing, we can support older people and others in vulnerable situations to get through the winter feeling supported and connected.

I would like to sincerely thank everyone who contributes to this assistance. Thanks to your overwhelming support, we can offer hope to those living in extreme circumstances and show them that they are not forgotten.

Donate now to support our urgent humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.

Millions of people in Ukraine currently have no electricity, light or heating, and winter is bringing temperatures well below freezing. ‘The situation is critical due to ongoing drone and shell attacks,’ says Bohdan, Security Officer at Dorcas Ukraine.

The situation in the city of Zaporizhzhia is particularly severe. ‘There are many damaged houses and apartment buildings that have become uninhabitable due to the shelling,’ explains Bohdan. The entire eastern region around Zaporizhzhia is close to the increasingly volatile front line. ‘The attacks make it unsafe to go outside. Essential services, such as electricity, frequently fail, often for more than ten hours a day.’

Bohdan and his colleagues have been visiting the city to assess where assistance is required. Life in these freezing temperatures is extremely tough. He explains: ‘Older people are finding it particularly hard to cope with the icy conditions, due to constant insecurity and their limited mobility.’

Emergency kits

The extreme cold can quickly become a ruthless enemy, particularly for young children, people with disabilities and older people. To support those in need, Dorcas provides portable emergency kits that enable people to cook, keep warm and maintain contact with family and emergency services.

Each kit contains:

Bohdan emphasises: ‘This support is urgently needed to ensure the safety and health of those on the front line.’

Donate to our emergency support

One crisis has followed another in Lebanon, stretching public systems and community resilience to their limits. Existing challenges have been exacerbated by economic collapse, political instability and an influx of refugees. Amid these challenges, Mario has worked at Dorcas for two and a half years as a Communications and Reporting Officer. ‘Given all that Lebanon has been through, I felt I had to contribute to the humanitarian response. I want to support those living in the most vulnerable situations.‘

Mario from Dorcas Lebanon and Syria

Supporting people in dire need is exactly what Mario and the team of Dorcas Lebanon are doing right now in Akkar, where they are distributing food parcels. ‘When you witness hunger and see people being forced into situations that no one should have to endure, it marks you’, Mario says.

Living at a graveyard

Mario now works extensively in Akkar, one of the poorest regions in northern Lebanon and one of the areas hardest hit in recent years. Thousands of Syrians have arrived here after fleeing their homes. They left everything behind, crossing rivers and fields on foot with little more than the clothes on their backs.

Some ended up in Akkar’s cemeteries. Mario recalls: ‘On day when we went to Akkar, we came across an area that was essentially a graveyard. Families had pitched tents between the graves, with washing lines strung over the tombs and children playing next to the gravestones. People were living there in impossible conditions.’

Food parcels are a lifeline

‘When people receive a food parcel, it is not just food that is received. It provides a sense of relief and reassurance that they are not forgotten. It gives them ten or fifteen days of stability.’

The distribution of the parcels is organised and efficient. Trucks arrive, people gather and lists are checked. Roles are assigned: someone counts, someone carries and someone ensures that everything is fair. ‘It is order in the midst of chaos,’ says Mario. ‘It is dignity in the midst of hardship.’

‘When I’m there, the Dorcas projects stop being anonymous numbers. Instead, you encounter people that have faces and names. They are children tugging at their mother’s sleeve and asking when they will eat. They are fathers carrying boxes with tired arms but proud eyes.’

He recalls a mother who placed her Dorcas parcel in the centre of her tent as if it were a treasure. Rice, lentils and oil – items so ordinary that they might go unnoticed in any kitchen – were laid out here like a feast. ‘Food parcels are a lifeline’, says Mario. ‘When I visit the area, I just try to be present and listen. I want to show people that they are seen.’