International Orthodox Christian Charities

International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is a US-based international relief and development agency established in 1992 that offers emergency relief and development programs worldwide, without discrimination. Since 2001, IOCC has responded to humanitarian needs in Lebanon across sectors—from nutrition and education to water and sanitation projects—strengthening Lebanese communities and, more recently, assisting both refugees fleeing conflict in Syria, Iraq and Lebanese families in need.

Background

IOCC is the human relief and development agency of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States. Outside the US, IOCC operates across Eastern Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. In carrying out its mission, IOCC applies the highest professional standards and renders itself fully accountable to the public and its donors. IOCC undertakes purely humanitarian and development activities, which are provided solely on the basis of need and serve families, refugees and displaced persons, the elderly, schoolchildren, orphans, and people with disabilities.

IOCC in Lebanon

Response to humanitarian needs in Lebanon has covered health and nutrition, food security, education, water and community development. For instance, IOCC boosts access to health services while building local capacities and systems. Mother-child health is a central focus of IOCC Lebanon health programs. Immunization activities ensure that children between 2 months old and 15 years old are protected against measles, polio, and other childhood diseases.

In addition, IOCC’s school-snack program offers daily healthful food to over 32,000 students in more than 55 Lebanese public schools. IOCC has also helped repair over 60 public schools, ensuring more than 21,000 elementary and middle-school students have safe learning environments. Supporting access to proper nutrition, IOCC created an award-winning community kitchen, training Syrian refugee and local Lebanese women to prepare healthy food together to serve a large number of beneficiaries. Hundreds of hot meals are delivered by van weekly to families across northern and eastern Lebanon.

IOCC has built and bolstered reservoirs and solar-powered pumping systems and has repaired water networks, serving refugees and Lebanese alike. Extensive hygiene-awareness campaigns bring together communities for learning and solidarity. 

All assistance is offered based on need alone.