Hope for Those Forced to Flee

More than one million people have fled their homes in Lebanon. On World Refugee Day, we remember them and millions more worldwide who have been forced from their homes—including those who remain displaced within their own country. 

Ongoing hostilities in the Middle East have displaced Lebanese families across the country, pushing them into temporary shelters and displacement centres with limited access to food, clean water, and healthcare. Many left with little more than what they could carry.

Samaritan's Purse is working on the ground, alongside our local church partners, to meet the most urgent needs. We have distributed more than 230 tonnes of food, providing non-food relief items to over 13,700 households, and treated more than 1,600 patients through our Mobile Medical Units. But the need goes deeper than what any distribution can reach.               

Rima's Story: In the Midst of Everything She Lost, She Found Love

Rima* arrived at a church distribution carrying the weight of immense loss. She had been forced to leave her home with little more than what she could carry, and when church volunteers handed her relief supplies provided through Samaritan's Purse, she suddenly burst into tears.

She had lost everything, she told them, and felt completely helpless.

The church team gathered around her immediately listening, praying, and offering what comfort they could. As they reminded her, she was not alone. By the end of the conversation, she said, "I found a lot of love in this place. You are the only people who helped us.” Despite her differing faith, she promised to return, confident that she be welcomed and supported by the church.

More Than Relief

Rima's story is not an isolated one. Across Lebanon, as our teams distribute food, hygiene supplies, shelter materials, and medical care, local church volunteers are also sharing something harder to measure—presence, conversation, and hope.

One volunteer met a man who told her he had been searching for a Bible for a long time. When offered a copy as a gift, he accepted it gladly. In another community, a young boy asked for one after spotting it at a distribution. His mother later requested additional copies for others.

Stories like these are becoming increasingly common as believers serve displaced families not only with practical care, but with the love of Christ.

On World Refugee Day

The United Nations estimates there are more than 117 million forcibly displaced people in the world today. They have fled conflict, violence, and persecution—leaving behind homes, livelihoods, and in many cases, people they love.

World Refugee Day is a moment to remember that displacement is not an abstraction. It is Rima standing at a distribution point, overwhelmed and afraid. It is children who have known little else but uncertainty.

Today, please join us in prayer:

• For the millions around the world who have been forced to flee their homes. Pray that they would receive practical help and know there is a God who loves them.
• Pray for our teams in Lebanon and around the world as they serve displaced people in Jesus’ Name.
• Pray for our local church partners, who consistently carry the light of Christ into some of the world’s darkest places.

Thank you for your prayers. May God bless you.

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