SHINING A LIGHT ON THE REFUGEE CRISIS

Shining a Light on the Global Refugee Crisis in the Middle East
By Dee A. Cook, CEO

Some of the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets I have ever seen are in the Middle East. The light illuminating ancient landscapes is absolutely breathtaking. Yet beneath that beauty lies a painful reality often overlooked—the global refugee crisis. This is the first in a three-part series exploring the origins and challenges of this ongoing issue.

The Scale of the Crisis

As the final months of 2023 came to a close, the United Nations released fresh statistics: over 108.4 million people around the world are displaced. Half of them are children. These numbers are staggering and deeply personal to the families affected.

So, where do so many refugees come from? The answer involves complex power struggles over land, resources, and religious dominance. Within those struggles are layers of war, economic instability, and political corruption. Wars force families to flee temporarily, but many can never return. Lacking school, work, or medical records, they face enormous barriers to rebuilding their lives.

The Middle East and Africa: Epicenters of Displacement

The Middle East and Africa remain two of the largest refugee-producing regions. While displacement is not new to human history, the current record-breaking numbers signal an escalating problem. We must pay attention—not just out of compassion, but because today’s global tensions could affect any of us tomorrow.

I’ve been reading Black Wave by Kim Ghattas, which traces the fallout of the 40-year rivalry between Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shia Iran. What began as political competition has led to widespread devastation, shifting the lives of millions in the Middle East. Today, that devastation continues in Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Iran, and Iraq.

God sees the heartbreak. He sees the refugees, and He is using their relocation to touch communities and nations in profound ways.

A Personal Journey of Understanding

When my late husband John sensed God calling him to the Middle East in 1990, I didn’t understand. I had studied the Bible and visited Israel, but I didn’t grasp the modern realities of the region. Through his passion, I came to see the people, the pain, and the mission. That same calling fuels Indigenous Ministries today.

My prayer is that you, too, will open your heart to the refugee crisis—not just the headlines, but the people behind them.

A Call to Respond

At Indigenous Ministries, we serve displaced families throughout the Middle East through our local churches and teams. Our commitment includes:

• Sponsoring refugee children

• Offering vocational and language training

• Providing food packets and school supplies

• Supporting national pastors and ministry centers

• Planning for expansion in 2024

One current need is a new vehicle for our ministry in Northern Iraq. We’re raising $30,000, and thanks to a generous donor, all gifts will be matched up to $15,000. Praise God!

We are the hands and feet of Jesus in a dark world. Let’s continue being salt and light together.

Thank you for your prayers and partnership.

With love,
Dee