Michael Petro, Emergency Shelter Director at St. Joseph Parish in Lebanon, shares a powerful firsthand account from inside a church that has once again become a refuge for those fleeing violence. Amid airstrikes, the church reopened its doors to families seeking safety.

Today, more than 170 people—primarily migrant workers and refugees—are sheltering inside St. Joseph Church. Many have nowhere else to go, as access to government shelters remains out of reach for the most vulnerable. Despite limited resources and a growing humanitarian crisis, the team continues to provide safety, dignity, and care.

Children still play in the parking lot. Life continues in fragile ways. But overhead, the sound of drones and fighter jets is a constant reminder of the reality outside.

With numbers expected to rise, the need for support is urgent.

Please give what you can today. Thank you for standing with families in crisis.

* Featured image: a baby lies on a mattress on the floor as families seek shelter in St Joseph’s church in Beirut, Lebanon.