As part of its efforts to promote health awareness and encourage women and girls to take care of their health, Dan Foundation for Relief and Development distributed breast cancer awareness brochures to women and girls in the Military Quarter and downtown Al-Hasakah, marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month, known as “Pink October.”

The brochures provided awareness information about the nature of breast cancer, its associated risk factors, and the main signs and symptoms that require medical attention. They also highlighted the importance of early detection in increasing the chances of successful treatment and reducing the risk of the disease spreading.

The awareness materials also highlighted early detection methods, including mammography and clinical breast examinations, as well as the importance of paying attention to any new or unusual changes in the breasts. The materials emphasized that most breast lumps are not cancerous; however, they require medical evaluation to provide reassurance and determine the underlying cause.

The brochures also covered a range of recommendations that may help reduce the risk of developing breast cancer, including engaging in regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, following a balanced diet, and undergoing appropriate screening based on age and personal and family medical history. In addition, they introduced the main treatment options determined by doctors according to the type and stage of the disease and the patient’s overall health condition.

This initiative reaffirms the importance of health awareness in empowering women and girls with accurate information about breast cancer and encouraging them to take proactive steps to protect their health. It also contributes to promoting a culture of early detection and increasing the chances of identifying the disease in its earliest stages.

As part of its Cash-for-Work activities, Dan for Relief and Development Foundation has started providing temporary employment opportunities for 20 skilled workers from Jazrat Al-Milaj village in the Al-Kasrat area of rural Deir ez-Zor. The workers are contributing to the rehabilitation of the village’s agricultural extension unit, in coordination with the Agricultural Extension Unit in Jazrat Al-Milaj, as part of the Resilience and Social Cohesion Project implemented by the Foundation in the area

The rehabilitation works include painting the external facades and interior walls, installing wooden doors and metal protective grills for the doors, as well as carrying out the necessary plumbing, electrical, and maintenance works for the building.

The rehabilitation works started this week and are expected to continue for 20 days. The activity aims to improve the condition of the extension unit and prepare it to provide better services to farmers and the local community.

The activity combines the rehabilitation of a community service facility with the provision of temporary employment opportunities for skilled workers, supporting livelihoods and strengthening the participation of local community members in improving public services and facilities.

On the occasion of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, “Pink October,” Dan for Relief and Development Foundation organized an awareness campaign under the slogan “Earlier Screening, Greater Hope,” aiming to raise awareness about breast cancer, highlight the importance of prevention and early detection, and encourage women to access available screening and healthcare services

The event brought together a number of women from the local community, including three breast cancer survivors who shared their personal experiences with the disease and spoke about different stages of their journey in confronting it. Their stories helped reinforce messages of hope and highlight the importance of early detection. Dan Foundation female staff members also participated in the event.

The campaign included an awareness session facilitated by a licensed midwife, who addressed ways to prevent breast cancer, the importance of recognizing signs and symptoms, and appropriate steps to take and sources of support and healthcare services to seek when breast cancer is suspected. The session also addressed and corrected several common misconceptions and inaccurate information related to the disease.

Participants were also introduced to the Breast Cancer Services Map, which identifies locations where relevant free healthcare services are available, helping women understand their options and access appropriate services in a timely manner.

The event concluded with the distribution of breast cancer awareness brochures, aimed at extending the campaign’s key messages to the wider community, encouraging women to prioritize their health and make use of screening and early detection services.

As part of the “Supporting Localization Efforts in Northeast Syria” project implemented by Dan for Relief and Development Foundation (DRD), and within efforts to support community-led initiatives and strengthen residents’ role in improving their local environment, the Peace Bridges Committee in Al-Thawra neighborhood, Raqqa, implemented an initiative to rehabilitate Al-Adab Park

The initiative aimed to restore the park as a safe and suitable public space for children and community members, after it had turned into a waste dumping site over the previous months.

The initiative included a range of rehabilitation and improvement activities, including repairing and painting the park’s fence, rehabilitating and installing children’s playground equipment, pouring the median, and installing gates for the park. It also included repairing waste containers, cleaning the park, and planting trees.

The activities also included extending a water line and creating murals carrying messages about cooperation and collective action, encouraging community members to contribute to maintaining the park’s cleanliness and caring for public spaces.

The initiative aims to provide a safe and child-friendly space for children and residents of the neighborhood, while strengthening local community participation in addressing the challenges they face. This contributes to improving the overall environment and fostering a spirit of cooperation and shared responsibility.

These activities are implemented under the “Supporting Localization Efforts in Northeast Syria through Empowering Partners and Local Communities to Lead Survivor- and Community-Led Response (SCLR) and Community-Based Protection Programming (CBPP)” project, implemented by Dan for Relief and Development Foundation (DRD) in Raqqa and Hasakah Governorates from January to December 2026.

Dan for Relief and Development Foundation, in cooperation with the Health Committee and the Community Peace Committee, implemented an initiative under the slogan “For Healthy Education,” as part of the Community Resilience and Social Cohesion project implemented by the Foundation in the Al-Kasrat area of rural Deir ez-Zor. The initiative aimed to improve access to drinking water in several schools in Al-Maylah village and provide a healthier and safer learning environment for students

The initiative responded to a long-standing basic need faced by schools and families: the difficulty of securing clean and safe drinking water inside schools, which directly affects students’ health and well-being during school hours.

Recognizing the importance of safe water in protecting children’s health and supporting their ability to learn, the initiative focused on providing essential equipment to ensure more consistent access to drinking water and improve students’ daily conditions within the learning environment.

The initiative included the supply and installation of seven plastic water tanks, each with a capacity of 1,000 liters, along with seven large water coolers, each with a capacity of 80 liters. It also included all necessary connections and engineering installations to ensure the water system was fully operational and functioning efficiently.

More than 3,000 students in the targeted schools benefited from the initiative, helping reduce the challenges of securing drinking water and providing a more consistent source of water within the schools.

Providing safe water is not only about meeting a basic need; it is also an important part of creating a healthy and conducive school environment. It contributes to protecting children’s health and well-being, positively impacting their daily educational experience.

Through this initiative, Dan for Relief and Development Foundation continues to support local communities and strengthen their resilience through interventions that respond to basic needs and create a lasting impact on people’s lives. This reflects the Foundation’s belief that supporting education goes beyond providing learning opportunities; it also includes creating a healthy and safe environment that ensures children’s right to learn and grow with dignity.

The “For Healthy Education” initiative represents a practical step toward improving the learning environment in Al-Maylah schools and strengthening health and safety conditions, benefiting both students and the local community.

As part of its efforts to support education, strengthen community resilience, and support essential facilities, Dan for Relief and Development Foundation implemented two solar energy installation initiatives at Milaj West School and the mosque in Jazrat Milaj village from 28 to 30 September 2026

The two initiatives aimed to provide sustainable energy sources that help ensure the continuity of essential services and improve the educational and community environment amid frequent power outages.
At Milaj West School, the “Light of Knowledge” initiative provided a sustainable source of energy to support the continuity of the educational process and improve the classroom environment for students and teachers.

At the village mosque, the “Mosque Lantern” initiative aimed to ensure continuous lighting, operate sound and ventilation systems, and provide a suitable environment for worshippers and children participating in Quranic circles, while also supporting awareness-raising and community activities.
Both initiatives included the installation of solar energy systems consisting of:
6 solar panels, each with a capacity of 620 watts.
A 4,200-watt inverter.

A lithium battery for energy storage and ensuring continuity of operation.
Electrical breakers, cables, and necessary connection and protection equipment.
Inspection and trial operation to ensure the systems’ readiness and efficiency.

The “Mosque Lantern” initiative also included awareness sessions and volunteer campaigns highlighting the importance of maintaining the solar energy system and mosque facilities. These activities involved youth committees, the Women’s Committee, and village residents, strengthening community responsibility and contributing to the sustainability of the project.
From the school to the mosque, Dan believes that investing in clean energy is about more than providing electricity. It contributes to supporting education, improving community services, strengthening social cohesion, and promoting a culture of responsibility and volunteerism—helping communities build more sustainable solutions

As part of the project to strengthen resilience and social cohesion in the Al-Kasrat villages of rural Deir ez-Zor, specifically in Jazrat Al-Milaj, and within the framework of the livestock support programme, Dan Foundation for Relief and Development provided financial assistance to livestock owners in the area

A total of 50 livestock owners benefited from this support, with each beneficiary receiving USD 300, amounting to a total of USD 15,000.

The support aims to help beneficiaries meet the costs of feed and other essential livestock-related needs, contributing to the protection of their livestock, strengthening their livelihoods, and enhancing their resilience.

Following the provision of financial assistance, Dan will provide beneficiaries with a package of administrative and financial management training aimed at strengthening their capacity to manage and effectively utilize the cash assistance. The training will support beneficiaries in properly planning their expenditures, organizing their purchases, and maximizing the use of the assistance to sustain their livestock and strengthen their livelihoods.

As part of the response to the humanitarian needs of families returning to the Ras Al-Ain / Sere Kaniyeh area in Al-Hasakah Governorate, and in line with the Syrian Government’s priorities to support returnees living outside camps, the Dan Foundation for Relief and Development (DRD) distributed 230 Non-Food Item (NFI) kits to a number of families who had recently returned to the Ras Al-Ain / Sere Kaniyeh area in northwestern Al-Hasakah Governorate.

This response was implemented in coordination and cooperation with the Ras Al-Ain Area Administration and the Directorate of Social Affairs and Labour, with the aim of contributing to meeting the basic needs of returning families and supporting stabilization and recovery efforts.

The Dan Foundation extends its sincere thanks and appreciation to the Ras Al-Ain Area Administration and the Directorate of Social Affairs and Labour, as well as to our donor partners who supported this assistance, for their cooperation, support, and facilitation of this humanitarian response.

In Al-Aliyat village, in the Al-Karama area of eastern rural Raqqa, participants in the peacebuilding activity under the Rawabet Project, implemented by Dan for Relief and Development Foundation (DRD) in partnership with World Vision, joined community members in a voluntary initiative to clean Al-Aliyat School and prepare it to welcome students at the beginning of the new school year

The initiative created a space for joint action between adolescents and their parents from Al-Baydar village and the residents of Al-Aliyat village. Both communities took part in cleaning the school and its surrounding areas, driven by a shared goal of creating a cleaner and more suitable learning environment for children, while also promoting values of cooperation, participation, and community responsibility.

The initiative was particularly meaningful because the adolescents participating in the peacebuilding activity come from Al-Baydar village, while the targeted school is located in Al-Aliyat village. This provided the group with an opportunity to travel to a neighbouring village and work alongside its residents on an activity that benefits children and the wider community. The participation of Al-Aliyat residents together with their children also demonstrated the positive influence of the adolescents who had participated in the peacebuilding sessions and the extent to which their engagement encouraged their families to become involved.

From Training to Field Action

The initiative forms part of the project’s peacebuilding activity, which aims to strengthen children’s and adolescents’ capacity to participate positively in their communities and develop skills in dialogue, cooperation, and teamwork, while translating these skills and knowledge into practical community initiatives.

As part of this process, 103 adolescents—50 boys and 53 girls—participated in 24 training sessions based on the “Path of Peace” curriculum. In June, two Peace Clubs were established, each consisting of 20 adolescents, with members meeting twice a month.

As the activity moved from the training stage to practical application, participants began implementing voluntary initiatives in cooperation with local communities. The initial activities included cleaning a mosque and cleaning a school.

The Al-Aliyat School clean-up initiative represents a continuation of this process, providing participants with an opportunity to put into practice what they had learned about cooperation, initiative, and teamwork through a practical activity carried out together with members of the targeted community.

A School as a Space for Cooperation

The initiative was not limited to cleaning the school and preparing it for the new academic year. It also provided an opportunity for participants and residents of Al-Aliyat to connect and work side by side.

Through initiatives of this kind, volunteering becomes a space where community members come together around a shared need. In this case, the practical goal of preparing the school for children became an entry point for strengthening relationships, cooperation, and positive interaction between local communities.

The initiative reflects one of the key objectives of the peacebuilding activity: providing children and adolescents with opportunities to actively participate in their communities—not simply as recipients of training, but as individuals who can identify community needs and contribute to addressing them in cooperation with local residents.

Expanding Community Initiatives

As part of efforts to expand community participation, four community initiatives were selected under the peacebuilding activity: “Bridges of Love,” “Our Safe and Green Spaces,” “Our Mosques Bring Us Together,” and “Our Roads Are Safe.”

Work is currently underway to implement the “Our Safe and Green Spaces” and “Bridges of Love” initiatives.

The “Our Safe and Green Spaces” initiative aims to rehabilitate a public park in the Aqraba area of Al-Karama, transforming it into a safe space and recreational area for children from the area and neighbouring villages, providing a suitable place for play, gathering, and community use.

The “Bridges of Love” initiative involves rehabilitating a deteriorated bridge connecting Al-Baydar and Al-Aliyat villages. The initiative aims to facilitate safer access for students to their school while strengthening connections and interaction between residents of the two villages.

Peacebuilding Starts with Participation

The Al-Aliyat School clean-up initiative demonstrates how the knowledge and skills that children and adolescents gain through peacebuilding sessions can be transformed into practical initiatives with a direct impact on their communities.

The initiative was more than a voluntary effort to improve the appearance of a school. It brought peacebuilding participants together with residents of the targeted village around a shared responsibility for children and education, while creating an opportunity for cooperation and collective action between members of local communities.

Through initiatives of this kind, the Rawabet Project seeks to strengthen the role of children and adolescents within their communities and support their ability to participate, engage in dialogue, and cooperate with others. In doing so, the project contributes to building stronger community connections and demonstrates how small, locally led initiatives can become practical steps towards peace.

Amid the challenges and pressures faced by children and local communities, Dan for Relief and Development Foundation (DRD) continues to implement psychosocial support (PSS) and community awareness activities aimed at promoting children’s mental well-being, helping them cope with stress, and supporting families and communities in creating safer and more protective environments for children

These activities are implemented as part of the project “Supporting Localization Efforts in Northeast Syria by Empowering Partners and Local Communities to Lead Community-Led, Survivor- and Community-Led Response (SCLR) and Community-Based Protection Programming (CBPP)”, implemented by DRD in Al-Raqqa and Al-Hasakah governorates from January to December 2026.

Psychosocial Support Sessions Tailored to Children’s Needs

In Al-Hasakah city, DRD is conducting specialized psychosocial support sessions in Al-Harah Al-Askariya neighbourhood, targeting children across three age groups to ensure that activities are adapted to their specific needs and developmental characteristics.

The targeted groups include children aged 6–8, 10–12, and 13–17 years, who participate in structured psychosocial support sessions delivered over the course of one month.

The activities include 10 sessions for children aged 6–8, 10 sessions for those aged 10–12, and 6 sessions for adolescents aged 13–17, reaching a total of 125 children.

These sessions provide a safe and supportive space where children can express their feelings, interact with their peers, and strengthen their ability to cope with the pressures and challenges that may affect their psychosocial well-being.

Raising Awareness Among Adults to Strengthen Child Protection

Alongside the child-focused psychosocial support sessions, DRD is conducting awareness-raising sessions targeting 300 adults, recognizing the critical role that families and communities play in protecting children and supporting their psychosocial well-being.

The awareness sessions address a range of child protection issues and promote safer family and community environments, including protection from discrimination and bullying, prevention of domestic violence, risks associated with early marriage, positive parenting, as well as other relevant awareness topics.

By combining direct psychosocial support for children with awareness-raising among adults, DRD seeks to promote an integrated, community-based approach that goes beyond addressing children’s immediate needs and contributes to strengthening the capacity of families and communities to provide care, protection, and support.

These activities highlight the importance of engaging local communities in child protection and psychosocial support efforts, strengthening children’s ability to overcome challenges and contributing to safer and more stable environments where they can grow and thrive.