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Are Young Adults Facing an Unseen Epidemic of Cataracts?

Posted on | by Ali

Summary

  • Cataracts are increasingly affecting people under 40, accelerated by digital eye strain and UV exposure.
  • Early-onset cataracts often go undiagnosed until they become severe.
  • Embrace Relief is helping thousands in Mali overcome cataract blindness through free, high-impact surgeries.

Cataracts are typically associated with aging, but an increasing number of young adults and even teenagers are showing early signs of cataract development. Experts warn we may be facing a silent epidemic of early-onset cataracts, driven by a combination of excessive screen time, poor eye protection, and lifestyle habits that leave eyes vulnerable to long-term damage.

Digital eye strain is a major factor. According to the Vision Council, over 70% of U.S. adults experience digital eye strain from daily screen use, with Gen Z and Millennials logging more than 8 to 12 hours a day on phones, laptops, and tablets. While screens don’t directly cause cataracts, the eye fatigue, dryness, and reduced blinking they trigger can contribute to weakening the eye over time. Meanwhile, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, one of the most established risk factors for cataracts, continues to go under-addressed. The World Health Organization estimates that up to 20% of all cataracts may be caused or worsened by UV exposure, yet fewer than half of Americans wear sunglasses consistently.

Even when they do, many people under 40 rely on fashion sunglasses that don’t provide full UV400 protection. This leaves their eyes exposed to the very radiation that accelerates lens clouding. Recent research reflects these concerns: cataracts are now being diagnosed in patients as young as 35, and some eye clinics have reported a 15–20% increase in surgeries for patients under 50 over the past decade. Factors like UV damage, blue light exposure, pollution, and poor diet all contribute to this shift.

The consequences extend beyond vision. Vision impairment in young adults is increasingly linked to depression, anxiety, and social isolation. A study from the American Academy of Ophthalmology found that adults under 40 experiencing vision loss were 2.5 times more likely to suffer from clinical depression. The toll of untreated cataracts isn’t just physical, it affects mental health, independence, and quality of life.

Cataracts in Mali: A Preventable Crisis with a Simple Solution

Cataracts in Mali: A Preventable Crisis with a Simple Solution.

While young adults in developed countries face rising cataract risks due to lifestyle, millions of people in Mali are already living with complete cataract-induced blindness not because of age or behavior, but because of lack of access to health care.

In the U.S., a cloudy lens can be replaced with a quick, outpatient surgery. But in Mali, people especially in rural communities can live for years in total darkness simply because they cannot afford or reach a surgeon.

That’s where Embrace Relief comes in.

We’ve launched a comprehensive cataract program in Mali to bring free, sight-restoring surgeries to those who need them most. Our mobile medical teams partner with local clinics and community leaders to identify patients, and provide follow-up care completely free of charge.

Our impact so far:

  • Over 40,000 cataract surgeries completed to date
  • Operations conducted in rural and underserved regions
  • Priority given to elderly patients, farmers, and caretakers—those who depend most on their sight

Each surgery takes just 15 minutes. But the results? Life-changing. People who were once blind can now work again. Read. Cook. Care for their grandchildren. Rejoin their communities with dignity.

And here’s the best part: it only costs $120 to restore someone’s vision.

That’s less than a new pair of designer sunglasses. And yet, it’s enough to change someone’s world forever.

For more information on Embrace Relief’s Cataracts Surgeries , click here!

The Hidden Thirst of Technology: How AI Is Consuming Millions of Gallons of Water:

Posted on | by Ali

Summary

  • Large data centers powering AI tools can consume millions of gallons of water each year for cooling
  • Major companies like Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI use water to keep servers operating at safe temperatures
  • Embrace Relief provides clean, sustainable water access in African communities through affordable and long-lasting water wells

Artificial intelligence might seem like a purely digital phenomenon: invisible algorithms, text on screens, and answers that appear in seconds. But behind that seamless experience lies an energy-hungry, water-thirsty system of massive data centers working around the clock to keep our AI tools running.

To prevent servers from overheating, data centers use intensive cooling methods, often involving chilled water systems. Each time you ask a chatbot a question, generate an AI image, or stream a recommendation based on machine learning, you are likely using water. And the numbers are staggering.

A recent report revealed that training a single large AI model like GPT-4 can consume upwards of 700,000 liters of fresh water, primarily for cooling during the training phase. Microsoft’s data center near Des Moines, Iowa used nearly 360 million gallons of water in 2022 alone, a figure that’s growing as AI demand skyrockets. Microsoft reported that its data center in Des Moines, Iowa used nearly 360 million gallons of water in 2022 alone, up 34% from the previous year, largely due to growing AI-related workloads. In Arizona, another drought-stricken state, Google’s data centers are projected to consume over 450 million gallons annually by 2030 if trends continue.

This rising water usage is becoming a growing concern for sustainability experts, especially in regions already facing severe water stress, such as the American Southwest, India, and parts of Europe. Despite AI being marketed as efficient and futuristic, the carbon footprint and water footprint of AI are both intensifying.

Researchers from the University of California estimate that running 5 million AI queries, roughly equivalent to the number processed by ChatGPT in a few hours, could consume over 1 million liters of water indirectly, depending on the time of day and location of the data center. Global data center water consumption is forecasted to reach over 1.7 billion cubic meters annually by 2027, according to a report by International Data Corporation (IDC). That’s equivalent to 680,000 Olympic-size swimming pools.

These water needs are often invisible to the end user. AI is marketed as clean and efficient, but in reality, the cloud is grounded in infrastructure that must stay cool, even in drought-prone areas.

The environmental cost is not theoretical. As global temperatures rise and water scarcity grows, the energy and water demands of AI technology put increasing pressure on local water supplies. And while AI answers questions in milliseconds, many people around the world must walk for hours just to collect a single bucket of water.

That contrast between our most advanced technologies and the most basic human need is impossible to ignore.

From Algorithms to Action: How Embrace Relief Is Bringing Clean Water to Those in Need

From Algorithms to Action: How Embrace Relief Is Bringing Clean Water to Those in Need:

While tech giants race to reduce the environmental costs of artificial intelligence, organizations like Embrace Relief are tackling the global water crisis head-on by bringing clean, sustainable water directly to the people who need it most.

Through its Clean Water Initiative, Embrace Relief builds and restores water wells across Africa, providing safe, reliable drinking water to thousands of people in underserved communities. Each well costs just $3,500 to construct and serves over 1,000 people, using durable, region-specific materials designed for longevity and local conditions. Every well comes with a five-year warranty and annual maintenance visits to ensure long-term functionality. Donors receive a custom dedication, along with an impact report that includes photos and updates about the community they’ve helped.

Since 2013, Embrace Relief has built or restored more than 1,100 wells, improving the lives of over 1 million people in countries such as Chad, Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Cameroon, and Benin.

In a world where artificial intelligence can generate an answer in milliseconds, no one should have to walk hours just to find clean water. Embrace Relief is working to close that gap.

You can be part of that change. Whether you fund an entire water well, start a personal fundraiser, or share this mission with your community, every effort moves us closer to a world where clean water is a right, not a privilege.

For more information on Embrace Relief’s Clean Water Initiative, click here!

Supporting Orphaned Children in Africa: Akim’s Story of Hope and Transformation

Posted on | by Ali

Summary

  • Akim, a 15-year-old orphan from Congo, was helped by Embrace Relief.
  • They gave him a safe home, food, healthcare, and education.
  • Many orphaned children in Africa suffer without this kind of support.
  • Donating to Embrace Relief helps children like Akim build a better future.

Akim is a remarkable 15-year-old boy from the Republic of Congo whose life story reflects both the harsh realities faced by many orphaned children in Africa and the incredible power of compassionate support. At a very young age, Akim experienced the devastating loss of his parents, a tragedy that could have left him vulnerable and forgotten. Instead, his life took a different path through Embrace Relief and its donors.

For nearly a decade, Embrace Relief has been by Akim’s side, providing him with everything he needs to thrive — not just survive. From safe accommodation and nutritious food to medical insurance for orphans and education programs, Akim’s story is a testament to how consistent, holistic support can change lives. Today, Akim is a high school student with big dreams; he loves drawing and hopes to study computer science after graduation. His resilience and aspirations are inspiring, but they wouldn’t be possible without the foundation of care that Embrace Relief provides.

The Reality for Orphaned Children Like Akim

The situation for orphaned children across Africa is incredibly challenging. Many lose their parents due to diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria, or conflicts that tear families apart. For children like Akim, the loss of parental support often leads to homelessness, malnutrition, poor education, and lack of education, along with exposure to exploitation such as child labor or trafficking.

Without intervention, these vulnerable children face a cycle of poverty and hopelessness. The core challenge is not only meeting their immediate needs but providing long-term solutions that give these children a chance to rebuild their lives. Simply offering shelter or food isn’t enough. They need healthcare to grow strong and well, access to education to break free from poverty, and a loving environment that nurtures their emotional wellbeing.

Embrace Relief’s Commitment: Empowering Orphaned Children to Thrive

Since 2015, Embrace Relief has been committed to supporting orphaned children in Africa, including Akim and hundreds of others. Through its Orphan Care Program, Embrace Relief provides critical resources and oversight to trusted local partners who directly care for children in need.

How You Can Make a Difference for Children Like Akim

Your generosity has the power to change lives. By donating to orphans through Embrace Relief’s Orphan Care Program, you provide support for orphaned children like Akim with essential resources that pave the way to a hopeful future.

Together, we can ensure that children growing up without parents don’t just survive but thrive, becoming the leaders, creators, and changemakers of tomorrow.

Donate today to be the reason a child like Akim can smile, learn, and dream — an orphan true story of transformation and hope.

The High Cost of Summer Fun: How Water Parks Are Wasting Millions of Gallons

Posted on | by Ali

Summary

  • Leading water parks in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut collectively use tens of millions of gallons per season
  • Nationwide parks like Six Flags Hurricane Harbor and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon consume between 3 and 10 million gallons annually
  • Embrace Relief helps communities in need across Africa access clean water with affordable, durable, and customizable wells

Every summer, families flock to water parks across the Tri-State area, such as Splish Splash in Long Island, Hurricane Harbor in New Jersey, and Raging Waters in Queens, to beat the heat. With wave pools, slides, splash pads, and lazy rivers, these parks draw crowds in the hundreds of thousands. But behind the laughter and cool-down lies a staggering environmental cost.

Water parks are often seen as water-savers compared to private pools. They recycle water continuously through filtration systems, using refill rates that range from a few dozen to several thousand gallons per day. That said, initial fills and top-offs add up fast.

Estimates show that large water parks can use between 125,000 and 160,000 gallons per day during peak operation. Even if only 2 to 5 percent of water is consumed each day due to evaporation, splash out, and maintenance, this translates to millions of gallons over a season. A major park can consume water equivalent to the daily water needs of 30 to 40 people every day.

In New York, city-wide water usage hovers near 1 billion gallons per day. Meanwhile, Splish Splash and Hurricane Harbor (some of the largest Tri-State area water parks) each hold between 1 and 3 million gallons. The top-off rates alone can total hundreds of thousands of gallons weekly.

Nationally, major parks are no exception. Six Flags Hurricane Harbor (Arlington, Texas) uses around 3 million gallons of water in its wave pools and attractions. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon in Orlando welcomes nearly 2 million visitors annually and cycles through similar volumes. The country’s largest indoor water parks, such as American Dream’s DreamWorks Water Park (NJ), hold over 1.5 million gallons within their wave pools alone.

Even with top-tier filtration and some water recycling, annual water losses per park can reach 10 million gallons or more. While this may be marginal compared to public supply or irrigation, which consume hundreds of millions each day, it becomes harder to justify in regions facing droughts, rising water costs, and environmental strain.

Ultimately, every splash of fun has a hidden cost; not only for local water systems but also for the global water crisis.

From Water Parks to Water Wells: How You Can Make a Difference

From Water Parks to Water Wells: How You Can Make a Difference

Imagine redirecting the water wasted at a single water park toward clean, sustainable water sources for families in need. That’s what Embrace Relief’s Clean Water Initiative makes possible.

Each brand new deep-water well costs $3,500 and provides life-changing benefits:

  • Helps at least 1,000 people in need
  • Local, durable construction, built for the community
  • A customizable dedication, honoring you or someone special
  • An impact report with photos and updates, so you can track your well’s progress
  • A five-year warranty and annual maintenance to guarantee longevity

You can fund a well outright or start a personal fundraising webpage and raise funds over six months. When fully funded, your well will be built within 4 to 6 weeks, bringing clean drinking water in places like Chad, Cameroon, Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and now Benin.

Since 2013, Embrace Relief has built or repaired over 1,100 wells, giving more than 1 million people daily access to safe water. That’s a much better return than any splash pad.

For more information on Embrace Relief’s Clean Water Initiative, click here!

How Backpacks and School Supplies Empower Children

Posted on | by Ali

Summary

  • As of early 2025, more than 2 million children under the age of 18 live in New Jersey; 516,000+ of them are under the age of 5.
  • 13% of children under 18 are living in households at or below the federal poverty line of $32,150/year for a household of four.
  • New Jersey ranks #11 in the United States for the most residents under the age of 18
  • Backpacks and school supplies are essential tools for a successful school year, empowering children with not only the necessary tools but also confidence and pride.
  • Embrace Relief’s annual Backpack and School Supply Drive provides backpacks filled with supplies to more than 1,500 disadvantaged children.

Starting the First Day of School Right

For millions of children around the world, the first day of school brings excitement, hope, and a brand new backpack filled with school supplies to tackle the year ahead. However, for many families facing financial hardship, affording these essential items can be an overwhelming burden. The cost of notebooks, pencils, folders, crayons, and backpacks quickly adds up, and without them, children can feel unprepared and discouraged before they even enter the classroom.

A backpack is more than just a bag. It’s a symbol of readiness. It gives a child the confidence to participate, learn, and thrive. Access to basic school supplies plays a critical role in a child’s ability to succeed academically and emotionally. When students are equipped with the tools they need, they are more likely to attend school consistently, engage in classroom activities, and feel a sense of pride in their education.

That’s why back-to-school supply drives are so powerful: They level the playing field and give every child a fair chance at success.

Thousands of Disadvantaged N.J. Students Lack Essential Resources

With an 18-and-under population of 2,015,561, New Jersey ranks #11 in the United States for the largest number of residents under the age of 18. Of this massive population of children:

  • 13% — more than a quarter of a million — live in households below the federal poverty level, a benchmark that was set at $32,150 per year for a family of four as of early 2025.
  • 1 in 8 NJ children experiences food insecurity, meaning they may not know where their next meal is coming from.

These alarming statistics underscore the stark reality that tens of thousands of students across the state begin each school year at a disadvantage, not because of a lack of potential, but because of a lack of basic resources.

While New Jersey may be one of America’s most affluent states, there are still far too many families overwhelmed by rising costs of living, more limited local services, and resource-strapped school districts. The need within underserved communities is urgent and undeniable.

In many low-income households, families struggle to afford basic necessities, like school supplies, backpacks, food, clothing, and hygiene items. Without adequate support, these students are more likely to fall behind academically, experience chronic absenteeism, and suffer from low self-esteem. The lack of something as simple as a backpack or pencils can send a child the message that they are not ready, not equal, or not worthy.

This is the reality for far too many children in New Jersey. And while the state may be perceived as affluent overall, the need within its underserved communities is urgent and undeniable.

Embrace Relief’s Annual Backpack and School Supply Drive Empowers Students to Succeed

At Embrace Relief, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to learn and grow, regardless of their economic circumstances. That’s why our annual Backpack and School Supply Drive focuses primarily on disadvantaged, low-income communities across New Jersey, where the need is profound and deeply felt.

Each year, thanks to the generosity of donors and volunteers, we distribute 1,500+ backpacks filled with essential supplies to schools and youth centers in high-need areas – from Newark to Wildwood and beyond. These donations go directly into the hands of students who need them most, offering not just physical tools for learning but also emotional support and encouragement.

A filled backpack can mean the difference between a child starting school feeling empowered or ashamed. It sends the message: You matter. Your education matters. You are not alone.

And the impact resonates beyond the first day of school. Children who receive supplies from Embrace Relief’s Backpack and School Supply Drives carry a sense of support and confidence with them all year long. Moreover, many parents express deep relief, saying that the assistance eased financial stress and allowed them to use those funds for food or doctors’ appointments.

You can be a part of this change in one or more of the following ways:

  • Gift a small donation of $25 to fill a backpack.
  • Volunteer a few hours of your time to help pack and distribute supplies.
  • Drop off to donate in-kind backpacks and school supplies.

Together, we can equip New Jersey’s youth with the tools and confidence to build a brighter future.

The Hidden Emergency: How Heat and Water Scarcity Are Threatening Lives Across Africa

Posted on | by Ali

Summary

  • Extreme heat and prolonged droughts are intensifying across Africa due to climate change
  • Millions lack access to safe clean drinking water making dehydration a daily threat
  • Embrace Relief is combatting the crisis by building and restoring sustainable water wells across the continent

Across vast stretches of Africa, a quiet emergency is unfolding; one that’s as invisible as it is deadly. While the headlines often focus on conflict and politics, another crisis is brewing beneath the surface: the collision between rising heat and water scarcity. This isn’t a seasonal issue. It’s a growing threat to life, health, and the future of entire communities.

As global temperatures climb, Africa finds itself on the frontlines of the climate crisis. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), African countries are warming faster than the global average. Regions like the Sahel, East Africa, and the Horn of Africa are experiencing severe droughts, unpredictable rainfall, and relentless heatwaves that are changing life as we know it.

These environmental shifts are drying up rivers and streams that once sustained generations. Crops are withering in the fields. Livestock are dying of thirst. Groundwater levels are dropping. For many communities, the nearest reliable source of clean drinking water is disappearing, or already gone.

The result? Families must walk for hours in blistering heat just to fill a single bucket. Often, this water is collected from stagnant, contaminated ponds that are shared with animals. And for those living without access to clean water infrastructure, the dangers multiply. Children miss school because they’re out fetching water. Women carry the physical and emotional burden of survival. Every sip carries the risk of waterborne diseases like cholera, typhoid, and diarrhea.

And this is happening in a world where we are told to drink 8 glasses of water a day. But what happens when there’s no water to drink? No faucet to turn on? No protection from a heatwave that won’t let up?

Extreme dehydration is more than discomfort; it can be fatal. As temperatures soar past 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius), the risk of heatstroke, kidney failure, and death increases sharply. The most vulnerable, young children, the elderly, and those with underlying health conditions, are often the first to suffer.

The United Nations warns that by 2030, half the world’s population could be living in water-stressed regions, with sub-Saharan Africa among the hardest hit. And while the world debates emissions targets and carbon taxes, the reality on the ground is urgent and deeply human: people need clean, reliable water to survive today.

This is not just an environmental issue. This is a human rights crisis. Access to clean water is not a luxury; it is a basic necessity, and it is slipping further out of reach for millions of people.

Bringing Relief to the Heat: Embrace Relief’s Clean Water Initiative

Bringing Relief to the Heat: Embrace Relief’s Clean Water Initiative

Embrace Relief is a humanitarian organization committed to bringing clean water to communities in need across Africa. Since 2013, the organization has worked on the ground to open brand new water wells and repair existing, nonfunctioning wells restoring water access where it had been lost.

To date, Embrace Relief has built and repaired over 1,100 water wells, helping more than 1,000,000 people gain reliable access to safe, clean water. Their work spans eight countries, including Chad, Cameroon, Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and Benin.

Each new well is constructed with durable materials and tailored to the unique needs of the local environment. In communities with broken or aging wells, Embrace Relief sends technical teams to restore functionality, giving life back to critical infrastructure that had fallen into disrepair.

The impact is immediate and lasting. Access to clean water reduces disease, keeps children in school, supports agriculture, and strengthens entire communities. By building new wells and reviving old ones, Embrace Relief is creating long-term solutions to one of Africa’s most urgent challenges.

By investing in sustainable water access, Embrace Relief is not just delivering water. It is delivering health, hope, and resilience to families across Africa facing the daily burden of water scarcity.

For more information on Embrace Relief’s Clean Water Initiative, click here!

Do Blue Light Glasses Actually Work? What Science Says About Digital Eye Strain

Posted on | by Ali

Summary

  • Prolonged screen time and blue light exposure may accelerate eye aging and increase cataract risk
  • Eye health experts are exploring possible links between blue light and early lens damage
  • Embrace Relief is restoring sight in Mali through cataract surgeries that cost just $120

Digital screens are everywhere from the moment we wake up to the time we go to sleep. Our eyes are exposed to hours of smartphone scrolling, Zoom calls, emails, and streaming, leading to rising concerns about the long-term effects of this digital lifestyle on eye health.

Enter blue light glasses: marketed as the solution to digital eye strain and even potential long-term damage. But do they actually work and can staring at a screen all day really lead to cataracts?

Blue light, specifically high-energy visible (HEV) blue light, is emitted by the LED screens of smartphones, tablets, laptops, and TVs. It penetrates deep into the eye and can cause oxidative stress, which may, over time, contribute to damage of the eye’s natural len;s the same lens that becomes cloudy in cataracts.

While cataracts are most commonly associated with aging, some early research suggests that cumulative exposure to blue light could potentially speed up the aging process of the eye.

In lab studies, prolonged exposure to blue light has been shown to alter proteins in the lens and retina, which are key players in cataract development.

That said, human-based clinical evidence is still limited. Experts are not yet ready to declare blue light a direct cause of cataracts. However, they do agree that minimizing unnecessary exposure is a smart move especially since screen-related strain is on the rise.

Blue light glasses are designed to filter out a portion of HEV light and reduce glare. Some users report reduced eye fatigue, fewer headaches, and improved sleep when wearing them during extended screen use.

However, studies on their effectiveness are mixed:

  • Some find small improvements in comfort and visual performance.
  • Others suggest the benefit may be more psychological than physiological.

Regardless, many eye care professionals still recommend them especially if you spend 6+ hours a day in front of screens.

From Digital Eye Strain to Global Blindness: Embrace Relief's Mission to Cure Cataracts

From Digital Eye Strain to Global Blindness: Embrace Relief’s Mission to Cure Cataracts

While blue light exposure is a modern eye health concern, millions around the world suffer from cataracts caused not by screens, but by poverty, lack of healthcare, and environmental factors like UV exposure and smoke. In places like Mali, thousands live in complete darkness, even though cataracts are entirely treatable.

This is where Embrace Relief steps in.

Through our Cure Cataracts program, we deliver free cataract surgeries to people in underserved rural communities. Each surgery takes less than 20 minutes and costs just $120 a small amount with a life-changing result. That same donation also helps fund 15 medical screenings, allowing more patients to be diagnosed and treated before they lose their sight entirely.

The results are powerful:

  • A teacher sees her students again.
  • A father returns to work.
  • A grandmother smiles as she sees her grandchildren clearly for the first time in years.

Embrace Relief partners with local healthcare teams to ensure follow-up care, train staff, and build sustainable systems that keep improving eye health long after the surgeries are complete.

This is not just vision care. It’s the return of hope, autonomy, and opportunity.

For more information on Embrace Relief’s Cataracts Surgeries , click here!

Embrace Relief and USA for UNHCR: A New Partnership to Support Displaced Families in Lebanon

Posted on | by Ali
Om Ghazi has lost loved ones to the conflict in Syria and spends Ramadan alone in a refugee camp in the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon. Photo Credit: © UNHCR

Embrace Relief and USA for UNHCR have launched a partnership to make a significant impact in Lebanon, where more than a million people have been displaced over the past year. Together, they are launching a project to support vulnerable displaced and refugee families with Zakat. The recent wave of conflict in Lebanon has had devastating consequences. An estimated 1.2 million people have been affected — families torn apart, communities uprooted and futures placed indefinitely on hold. Displaced by violence and instability, many vulnerable people now face overwhelming uncertainty about how to secure their basic needs. Many families now struggle to survive in deteriorating conditions. Among those affected are women, children, the elderly and people with medical conditions. The humanitarian need is immense, and countless families require immediate and sustained support.

Embrace Relief and USA for UNHCR are taking a critical step toward addressing urgent needs while respecting the dignity and autonomy of those affected.

This project will directly support 200 of the most vulnerable families in Lebanon at this critical time. Families will be supported on a regular basis with Zakat, empowering them to meet their most immediate needs, including items such as food, medicine, healthcare services, clothing or shelter-related items.

The partnership signals a longer-term commitment between Embrace Relief and USA for UNHCR to respond to humanitarian needs in Lebanon and across the globe. By combining Embrace Relief’s community-based approach with UNHCR’s global reach and expertise, the two organizations are poised to deliver scalable and sustainable solutions in some of the world’s most challenging contexts.

“Embrace Relief’s generous support highlights the impact that faith-based partnerships can have in humanitarian work,” shares Suzanne Ehlers, Executive Director and CEO of USA for UNHCR. “Through our collaboration, we’re bringing hope and tools to refugees and displaced individuals in Lebanon – empowering them to rebuild their lives and look towards a brighter future.”

“Embrace Relief’s mission has always centered on supporting individuals who are in need, recognizing the inherent dignity of every person,” says Celil Yaka, Embrace Relief CEO. “In this spirit, our core values align closely with UNHCR, the global leader dedicated to protecting and assisting refugees around the world. As we enter into this meaningful, long-term partnership with UNHCR, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to jointly create positive, lasting impacts on the lives of individuals whose lives have been turned upside down by the devastation and tragedy of conflict.”

At a time when the world faces multiple, overlapping humanitarian crises, partners like Embrace Relief offer a beacon of hope. Rooted in empathy and grounded in expertise, this collaboration is delivering real solutions — solutions that not only address urgent needs but uphold the dignity of every individual.

About Embrace Relief

Embrace Relief is a nonprofit organization dedicated to delivering humanitarian aid and disaster relief to vulnerable communities around the world. Through collaboration with volunteers and partners, the organization addresses both immediate crises and long-term systemic challenges. Its work aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and spans a wide range of focus areas — from emergency relief and health initiatives to clean water access and education.

Embrace Relief’s mission is to deliver research-based, sustainable solutions that provide both immediate relief and lasting improvements to individuals and communities facing chronic hardship. Embrace Relief’s vision is one of comprehensive development — a belief that real change comes from empowering individuals and communities to take control of their futures through dignified, effective and sustainable interventions.

About USA for UNHCR

USA for UNHCR is a leading nonprofit organization that supports the UN Refugee Agency in its mission to protect and assist refugees and displaced people worldwide. USA for UNHCR partners with US-based organizations and partners to support UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in raising awareness and mobilizing resources needed to provide lifesaving aid, including emergency relief during crises, long-term support like education and healthcare and helping refugees rebuild their lives safely.

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