{"alias":"changeLogItem","byline":"Rob Murray, Chief Volunteer for International","standfirst":"UK Scouts belong to a worldwide movement committed to peace. We\u2019re horrified by what we\u2019re seeing in the Middle East and especially concerned by the impact the war is having on young people. ","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EWe cannot begin to understand the toll the conflict is having on those young people and families affected. This includes those in direct danger, who\u2019ve been displaced or whom, tragically, have already lost their lives.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EMany more are fearful for their safety, unable to travel home, have lost their livelihoods or access to education.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003ESupporting Scouts\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe\u2019re actively supporting Scouts in the region, including members of British Scouting Overseas caught up in the crisis. We\u2019re helping these groups to stay connected, making sure young people have access to non-live digital programmes.\u202F\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHere in the UK, we\u2019re also hearing from many Scouts and volunteers who have family or other links to the region. We understand the hurt and distress caused by increasing intolerance in local communities, and the fear this creates.\u202FScouts\u202Fstands against Islamophobia and Antisemitism in all its forms.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003ELed by our values \u0026nbsp;\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s at times like these that we all need to role model our values of Integrity, Respect, Care, Belief and Cooperation. They guide our thoughts, words and actions, helping us support and show solidarity with affected communities. At this time, we need to be especially sensitive to the feelings of others, who may be affected directly or indirectly. \u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EStanding for peace \u0026nbsp;\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EScouts stand for peace, and we\u2019re proud to be building a generation of peacemakers, working towards a kinder, respectful, and more peaceful world.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHowever, we know the situation is complex. We know there are differing views about how peace can be achieved or what should happen next. But, let\u2019s remember first and foremost, that we\u2019re a global movement of over 60 million Scouts who believe in the power of humanity and the safety and protection of all. We stand in solidarity\u202Fwith all Scouts affected by the conflict.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EOpen to all\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIn Scouts, we\u2019re proud to be open to all. Our priority is to make sure that everyone - young people and volunteers - feel welcome and comfortable taking part. That\u2019s why it\u2019s vital we create safe spaces for all our members, use inclusive language and maintain our zero-tolerance approach to discrimination. We will continue to encourage more people from diverse backgrounds to join and thrive in Scouts. Read more about \u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/equity-diversity-and-inclusion/our-vision-for-equity-diversity-and-inclusion/\u0022 title=\u0022Our vision for equity, diversity and inclusion\u0022\u003Eour vision for equity, diversity and inclusion\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EImpact of Middle East conflict on Visits Abroad\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EEvent leaders in Scouts must follow \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-office-travel-advice-updates\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022FCDO (Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office) travel advice\u0022\u003EFCDO (Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office) travel advice\u003C/a\u003E and adjust, change, or cancel plans where required. Travel routes that include or transit through the Middle East should be avoided, and alternative options sought as standard practice.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EEvent leaders should also initiate discussions with:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EInsurers as many travel insurance policies do not cover the effect of conflicts or wars\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ETravel agents and airlines on alternative flight routes, if transiting.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf you require any further advice, please \u003Ca href=\u0022/contact-us/\u0022 title=\u0022Contact us\u0022\u003Econtact the Scouts Support Centre\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003ESupport and guidance for volunteers \u0026nbsp;\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe have \u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/global-scouting/international-crises/support-for-volunteers/\u0022 title=\u0022Support for Volunteers\u0022\u003Esupport and guidance\u003C/a\u003E for volunteers wishing to support young people in their groups. We also have a range of programme ideas to promote empathy and increase understanding. These include: \u00A0\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/what-would-you-take/\u0022 title=\u0022What would you take?\u0022\u003EWhat would you take?\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/kind-news/\u0022 title=\u0022Kind news\u0022\u003EKind news\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/forced-to-flee-solidarity-walk/\u0022 title=\u0022Forced to flee solidarity walk\u0022\u003EForced to flee solidarity walk\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/global-scouting/international-crises/activities-for-understanding-crises/\u0022 title=\u0022Activities for understanding crises\u0022\u003EActivities for understanding crises\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/global-scouting/international-crises/support-for-volunteers/using-scout-values-to-discuss-global-issues-and-conflict/\u0022 title=\u0022Using Scout Values to discuss global issues and conflict\u0022\u003EUsing Scout Values to discuss global issues and conflict\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":null,"pageType":null,"location":null,"versionDate":"11 March 2026","reviewDate":null,"furtherReading":[],"relatedLinks":[{"caption":"","title":"Support and guidance for volunteers","url":"/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/global-scouting/international-crises/support-for-volunteers/","newWindow":false}],"id":89076,"nodeName":"Responding to conflict in the Middle East","title":"Responding to conflict in the Middle East","type":"changeLogItem","image":{"url":"/media/10478/scouts-logo.jpg?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1db789232a4a190","caption":"Scouts Logo","type":"jpg","size":30784,"width":800,"height":450,"altText":"The Scouts logo"},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Responding to conflict in the Middle East","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"subHeader":"We\u2019re horrified by what we\u2019re seeing in the Middle East and especially concerned by the impact the war is having on young people.","browserTitle":null,"silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC84OTA3NiJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2026/march/responding-to-conflict-in-the-middle-east/"}