SOS Chrétiens d’Orient

Who we are

About us

SOS Chrétiens d’Orient is a non-political association of general interest which has been working legally since 2013 in the heart of the secure disaster areas of the Middle East (Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan), but also in Egypt, Ethiopia, Pakistan and Armenia. Its teams work 24 hours a day in the field with all Christians of the East, providing concrete material and, above all, human aid.

According to a strict protocol and sophisticated security measures, the heads of mission intervene directly in the most dangerous areas of the world, close to the populations in need, persecuted for their faith.

The association responds to moral and material distress with action. Volunteers are sent to the heart of the projects on a permanent basis throughout the year in the various mission countries.

The objective is clear: to rebuild the stones but also the people. Emergency aid is now being followed by economic development projects so that the people of the Middle East can become economically independent and create their own wealth. The talents and skills of all are put to good use, the reactivity and seriousness of a team, in permanent training, are called upon for maximum efficiency.

The association bears witness to France’s higher vocation: to reestablish the link with the Christians of the East. A duty that is not only humanitarian, but also cultural and civilisational.

ORIENT

Our history

09/2013
In Syria, the village of Maaloula falls into the hands of the Al-Nosra Front jihadists.
In Syria, the village of Maaloula falls into the hands of the Al-Nosra Front jihadists.
12/2013
At Christmas, a humanitarian convoy carrying toys, clothes and blankets is chartered for Syrian families.
At Christmas, a humanitarian convoy carrying toys, clothes and blankets is chartered for Syrian families.
04/2014
A team from SOS Chrétiens d'Orient celebrates the resurrection of Christ in Iraq.
A team from SOS Chrétiens d'Orient celebrates the resurrection of Christ in Iraq.
08/2014
The Nineveh Plain is captured by the Islamic State organisation. An emergency team takes off within 72 hours to bring relief to 80,000 displaced Christians.
The Nineveh Plain is captured by the Islamic State organisation. An emergency team takes off within 72 hours to bring relief to 80,000 displaced Christians.
06/2015
Alerted by a dire humanitarian situation in Syria, the association opens a permanent mission.
Alerted by a dire humanitarian situation in Syria, the association opens a permanent mission.
08/2015
In order to help the 12,300 Iraqi Christian refugees in Jordan, SOS Chrétiens d'Orient sets up a permanent office in Amman, the capital of the Kingdom.
In order to help the 12,300 Iraqi Christian refugees in Jordan, SOS Chrétiens d'Orient sets up a permanent office in Amman, the capital of the Kingdom.
03/2016
150 Syrians from the Coeur-Joie choir perform an exceptional concert tour in France.
150 Syrians from the Coeur-Joie choir perform an exceptional concert tour in France.
03/2016
1300 runners participate in the Paris half-marathon under the colours of SOS Chrétiens d'Orient.
1300 runners participate in the Paris half-marathon under the colours of SOS Chrétiens d'Orient.
10/2016
The Christian villages of the Nineveh Plain are liberated but only ruins remain.
The Christian villages of the Nineveh Plain are liberated but only ruins remain.
06/2017
Charity evening at the Royal Abbey of Val de Grâce in the presence of Jean-Pax Méfret.
Charity evening at the Royal Abbey of Val de Grâce in the presence of Jean-Pax Méfret.
07/2017
Release of the association's first music video: "Egypte only your name"
Release of the association's first music video: "Egypte only your name"
08/2017
The Franciscan Youth of Cholet travels through Syria giving a theatrical performance of the "Mystery of Saint Francis".
The Franciscan Youth of Cholet travels through Syria giving a theatrical performance of the "Mystery of Saint Francis".
02/2018
Crew 984 carries the colours of SOS Chrétiens d'Orient to the 4L Trophy, a solidarity rally in the desert of Morocco.
Crew 984 carries the colours of SOS Chrétiens d'Orient to the 4L Trophy, a solidarity rally in the desert of Morocco.
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Our pillars of action

In the Middle East, too many Christian populations are still being persecuted, simply because they are Christians. In Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Armenia, they are terrorised, driven out and displaced. So, thanks to its volunteers permanently deployed in the field and its teams of committed staff, SOS Chrétiens d’Orient makes every effort to defend the endangered Christians of the East.

Medical support

Emergency aid

Economy & social

Culture & Heritage

Reconstruction

Education & youth

Our action in figures

10M€
annual budget
annual budget
105
tons of food and emergency goods distributed
tons of food and emergency goods distributed
150 000
people supported on an ad hoc basis
people supported on an ad hoc basis
2500
volunteers sent on mission since 2013
volunteers sent on mission since 2013
580
structures rebuilt or renovated
structures rebuilt or renovated
60
tons of medical or logistical equipment distributed
tons of medical or logistical equipment distributed
5000
children in summer camps every year
children in summer camps every year
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Where we work

Iraq

Supporting the reconstruction of Nineveh Plain and the return of families.

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Syria

Helping families threatened by international economic sanctions.

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Lebanon

Supporting a people impoverished by a triple crisis.

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Jordan

Providing emergency aid to Iraqi Christian refugees in Amman and Jordanian Christians.

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Egypt

Helping the poorest families of garbage collectors, descendants of the first Christians.

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Ethiopia

Helping children and seminarians threatened by civil war.

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Pakistan

Freeing Pakistani Christian families from economic slavery.

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Armenia

Helping displaced people in Artsakh and the poorest Armenian families.

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France

In keeping with France's historic vocation, the association works to raise awareness of the plight of Christians of the East and to support them in their suffering.

Italy

Since 2018, the Italian foundation of SOS Chrétiens d'Orient has been helping persecuted, discriminated or distressed oriental families.

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Mission countries Fundraising countries
Belgium

Mission countries Fundraising countries

Our team

they talk about us

I met the young people of SOS Chrétiens d'Orient at the very beginning of the exodus of Iraqi Christians and Yezidis in the refugee camps of Erbil. With me, they supported and helped these people in distress. Together with other NGOs, they contributed to the preservation and digitisation of ancient manuscripts in the Middle East. Today, they are still helping us to preserve the presence of Christians in Iraq by participating in the reconstruction of the country.
Monseigneur Najeeb,
Chaldean archbishop of Mosul and Aqra
I never forget that Christianity was born in the Middle East and that its main texts were thought and written there. I appreciate seeing young French humanitarians bringing help and comfort to the deprived populations of these regions. This is why I have been supporting the volunteers of SOS Chrétiens d'Orient for the past three years, whose action on the ground helps to maintain links between our two civilisations.
Valérie Giscard d’Estaing, former President of the French Republic and Honorary President of SOS Chrétiens d'Orient.
The work and efforts of the volunteers have set a good example for our community. I have been working in partnership with SOS Chrétiens d'Orient for three years, we have done many projects together, and it has greatly helped the Christians living here. I respect your message and your objective: the rooting of Christians in the Middle East.
Father Ayham, Greek Catholic priest from Smakieh (Jordan)
The volunteers of SOS Chrétiens d'Orient embody the face of French generosity.
André Bercoff, former reporter in Lebanon and president of the Press Club of France, editorialist and writer.
We are the last witnesses of Christ in our homeland, which we love and in which we wish to remain. But in order to remain witnesses of Christ in our Iraqi homeland, we need help to overcome these hardships so that we can stay at home. The support given to us by SOS Chrétiens d'Orient is therefore essential and vital, and I would like to express my gratitude for your active and generous participation in their mission.
Archbishop Yohana Petros Mouche, Syriac Catholic Archbishop of Mosul.

SOS through the eyes of photographers

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