As part of the efforts of Dan Relief and Development to support mental health and enhance psychological well-being, the MHPSS project team implemented a special initiative for Mental Health Week during the month of May, targeting women working in agriculture in the villages of Al-Sabha and Al-Jadeed in the central countryside of Deir ez-Zor

The initiative involved the participation of 60 women through interactive activities that included psychological release exercises and the promotion of positive emotions, in addition to distributing awareness brochures on the importance of mental health and ways of self-care, along with symbolic initiatives to spread hope and positive energy, such as distributing flowers.

This initiative reaffirms the importance of reaching women across various work environments and supporting their mental and social health, given its positive impact on both the individual and society.

As part of its ongoing efforts to promote social cohesion and peacebuilding, the DAN for Relief & Development (DRD) implemented an initiative to establish the Jarat Al-Milaj football field in rural Deir ez-Zor. This was carried out by the Community Protection team, with active participation from the Women’s and Youth Committees.

The initiative included field rehabilitation and preparation works. The team leveled and marked the field, provided goalposts, nets, footballs, sports kits, in addition to the trophy and medals for the sports tournament.

As a culmination of the initiative, the “Love Sports Tournament” was held at the Al-Seela field in the village of Jarat Al-Milaj. The event took place in a spirited atmosphere with notable public attendance, featuring eight sports teams from neighboring villages, divided into two groups.

Group one included: Inter Al-Milaj, Al-Kabir, Abu Khashab, and Al-Risalah (Bu Humed).
Group two included: Ahli Al-Milaj, Al-Ittihad (Ma’adan), Ahmar Bu Humed, and Al-Bushams.

The tournament witnessed strong competitions characterized by sportsmanship and significant audience engagement. The final match was contested between Inter Al-Milaj and Al-Kabir in a cautious and competitive game, attended by over 3,000 spectators from the area.

The regular time ended in a goalless draw, and the result was decided by penalty shootouts, with Al-Kabir winning 3–2 to become the champion of the “Love Sports Tournament,” celebrated joyfully by their fans and supporters.

This initiative reaffirmed the positive role of sports in promoting a culture of peace and building bridges of love and brotherhood among community components. It also contributed to creating a safe, inclusive space for youth and families. Today, the Jarat Al-Milaj field has become a place for community gathering and cohesion, and a symbol of hope and cooperation among

The closing session of the project “Together for Civil Peace and Social Cohesion”, organized by the

Defa’a Human Rights Initiative, was held last Saturday morning in the capital Damascus. This session represented the culmination of a series of national dialogues that spanned seven Syrian cities and regions, aiming to formulate final recommendations and an executive roadmap to strengthen justice and stability

The session brought together a large number of activists, experts, media professionals, and human rights advocates who had participated in the previous rounds, with the purpose of analyzing and evaluating the shared outcomes reached from Qamishli to Aleppo and Daraa

Themes of the Closing Session
Discussions in the closing session focused on three main themes, seeking to transform the collected visions into concrete mechanisms of action

The role of civil society in promoting civil peace and social cohesion

Transitional justice: mechanisms of implementation and guarantees

The role of official and non-official media in producing a responsible national discourse

The session opened with a discussion of the first theme, “The role of civil society in civil peace and social cohesion.” Participants emphasized that the social bonds and bridges formed through these dialogues across different regions were evidence of the immense potential of Syrian civil society.

The session then continued with the subsequent themes, with particular focus on how to implement the recommendations on transitional justice emphasized by all provinces, and on defining the responsibility of the media in safeguarding civil peace and delivering professional and transparent discourse instead of misleading or inciting narratives.