GROWING OUR ROPE
Our mission is rooted in the universal human need for healing. For families in the Middle East, years of conflict have resulted in profound trauma and loss. Many, especially women and children, continue to experience traumatic events that rob them of hope and joy and have lingering affect on their future. We are certain that our Permission to Flourish® program can help instill hope and provide families with the tools to navigate the uncertainty of the world around them.
As always, we climb, hike, find “awe” moments, conduct art therapy and psychoeducational modules and teach positive cognitive-behavioral tools. Our unique program helps women and children rediscover their strengths and sense of purpose while living in volatile war zones.
Thank you for supporting healing — for every family, everywhere.
HBC MIDDLE EAST PARTICIPANTS
Israeli Families
Our pilot program for Israeli widows and orphans took place in Cyprus in July 2025. In 2026, we will hold 4, week-long programs inside Israel in partnership with the NGO IDF Widows & Orphans Organization.
To read more about our Israel HBC, click here.
Palestinian Families
In winter 2026, we will hold our pilot program for Palestinian women and children who have been displaced due to the ongoing security issues in Gaza.
HBC Middle East FAQs
Why did MSF expand to the Middle East?
With in-house expertise in the Middle East region, our team brings cultural understanding, regional experience, and partnerships that uniquely position us to serve families affected by conflict. Driven by a heartfelt commitment to helping the next generation, we aim to provide safe, healing spaces where families can begin to rebuild their lives with hope, resilience, and renewed strength. In a world where global conflicts are increasing, there’s a growing recognition that humanitarian aid must include mental health support.
Our longterm goal is to bring people together in safe, supportive environments to contribute to broader peacebuilding efforts. Serving families from different conflict zones—especially in places often polarized by international opinion—can help foster understanding, compassion, and shared healing.
Is MSF taking a political stance?
No. MSF’s expansion to the Middle East region is entirely apolitical, rooted in our commitment to mental health and the urgent need to support families affected by war—we are dedicated to helping families on all sides heal and rebuild their lives.
Which communities will MSF support?
Our expansion into the Middle East will occur slowly and intentionally. We began with Israeli widows and orphans and are working to organize partnerships to access Palestinian families.
How do we find participants for our programs?
We partner with trusted and vetted organizations in the region who have direct access to families impacted by the war. These organizations ensure the families chosen have the appropriate background, mental health status and meet our outlined family criteria.
Who is leading this work?
Our programs will be guided by therapists with deep personal and professional experience in the Middle East, including Israeli-American, Palestinian-American, and regional experts. Just as we do in our Ukraine programs, we collaborate with local therapists and specialists to ensure culturally informed care and who provide a vital continuity of support for families once they return home.
How will this expansion be funded?
Donors can choose to support the Middle East or Ukraine programs specifically.
To allocate your funding support to a specific region, please note this on your donation by selecting the region to ensure your money is directed accordingly.
How can I help?
You can support this expansion by donating directly to the Middle East program, volunteering your time, or sharing our mission with others.
Will you expand further in the region?
Yes, we will scale up thoughtfully and as possible with funding available.
Donate Today
For personal checks, please make payable to Mountain Seed Foundation and mail them to:
14737 Pickets Post Rd, Centreville, VA 20121.
Please add EIN: 87-1017090 in the reference section.
For donations to our Austrian account (euros) with BAWAG bank, please use IBAN: AT44 1400 0100 1022 1280.
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