War in Iran and regional conflict bring suffering to millions
Families across the Middle East are facing another wave of fear and loss as conflict spreads across the region.
In late February 2026, large-scale military strikes in Iran escalated tensions into a broader regional conflict. Air and missile attacks have hit cities and military targets across Iran, while retaliatory strikes have resulted in the deaths of American troops and affected Israel, Gulf states and neighboring areas.
Within days, hundreds of missiles and drones had been launched across the region. More than a thousand civilians in Iran have reportedly been killed, with hundreds more killed or injured across neighboring countries. Hospitals, schools and homes have been damaged, and many families are living under the constant threat of airstrikes and violence.
This new conflict comes on top of years of instability across the Middle East, including ongoing war and humanitarian crises affecting Israel, Gaza and Lebanon. Millions of people across the region have already endured displacement, trauma and economic hardship.
Now, communities are facing yet another wave of fear, grief and uncertainty.
Amid the chaos and suffering, local churches and Christian leaders are stepping forward to care for their neighbors and share the hope of Christ. In times of crisis, local churches often become a source of care, stability and hope for their communities.
Send Relief’s Response
Send Relief is working with trusted ministry partners and local believers across the region to assess needs and bring help to those suffering because of the conflict.
Because access in many areas remains limited and conditions continue to shift, Send Relief’s response is currently focused on targeted efforts that can reach people now, while preparing for broader opportunities as they emerge.
Through partnerships with Christians in the Middle East—including Iranian believers—Send Relief is responding to the deep emotional and spiritual trauma many families are experiencing.
Many Iranians are grieving the loss of loved ones, coping with years of oppression and uncertainty, and facing new fears as the conflict unfolds. In response, Send Relief partners are providing crisis counseling and trauma care through trained counselors working alongside local ministry partners.
Because access inside the country remains limited, trained counselors are currently providing secure online counseling to individuals and families seeking support, as well as to Iranians outside the country who have been affected by trauma.
In addition, Send Relief is helping equip and train churches and believers in the region to respond to the crisis and care for those around them.
Send Relief and its partners are currently focused on:
- Providing trauma care and crisis counseling to those affected by war
- Equipping and training local churches and believers to respond
- Assessing needs and preparing for additional response opportunities as access allows
Through local believers and ministry partners, Christians are bringing compassion and hope to people facing tremendous hardship.
With the situation continuing to evolve—including a fragile ceasefire in parts of the region and ongoing conflict in others—many of the greatest needs are not yet fully reachable. Send Relief is actively preparing to respond as new opportunities open.
How You Can Help
You can help bring hope and care to people affected by this crisis—and help Send Relief be ready to respond as new needs emerge.
Pray
Pray for peace and protection across the Middle East. Pray especially for families suffering loss, trauma and uncertainty as this crisis continues.
Prayer Points
- Pray for families grieving the loss of loved ones in the conflict.
- Pray for those who have been injured or displaced by violence and instability across the region.
- Pray for people experiencing fear, trauma and uncertainty, that they would find healing and restoration after much turmoil and pain.
- Pray that lives will be spared so that many men and women will have the opportunity to hear the gospel.
- Pray for Christian counselors, ministry partners and local believers serving those in crisis.
- Pray that the church across the Persian world will remain steadfast, focusing on the freedom found in Christ and faithfully modeling His love during these difficult days.
Give
Your gifts to Send Relief’s Respond to Crisis — International Fund help provide trauma care, equip local churches and prepare for expanded response efforts as opportunities become available.