As part of the Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) program, the DAN for Relief and Development (DRD) has installed five large billboards in several roads and vital locations in Al-Hasakah Governorate. This initiative aims to raise community awareness of the risks posed by unexploded ordnance (UXO) and explosive remnants of war (ERW), while promoting safe behavior among all segments of the population

The billboards are located at “Zouri Roundabout” at the southern entrance of Qamishli city, in the middle of the Ghaibesh road in Tal Tamr town, as well as three billboards within Al-Hasakah city at: Al-Ghazl Roundabout, Panorama Roundabout, and the middle of the road in Mashirfa opposite the Shatto Garden

The activity focused on providing permanent visual awareness materials in public, high-traffic areas with significant community movement, helping to deliver safety messages to the largest possible number of residents and enhancing awareness of risks associated with suspicious objects and explosive ordnance

The billboards feature clear and simple illustrations that ensure messages reach both literate and non-literate individuals, alongside written awareness messages and practical guidelines on safe behavior and reporting mechanisms when encountering suspicious objects or war remnants

This activity aims to provide continuous, easy-to-understand, and accessible public safety messages, helping community members recognize the dangers of explosive ordnance and take appropriate action if they encounter any suspicious objects, thereby contributing to the reduction of related accidents and injuries

The content of the billboards was developed to ensure cultural appropriateness and effectiveness for all age and social groups, including children and adults, as part of a sustained commitment to promoting a culture of community safety

These permanent reminder billboards help deliver clear, visual, and consistent awareness messages to a wide range of residents, particularly those most at risk, thereby supporting explosive ordnance risk education efforts and reinforcing safe behaviors within the community

This activity falls within the organization’s efforts to protect civilians and reduce the risks of explosive-related accidents through sustainable awareness tools that contribute to building a more aware and safer community

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

As part of its ongoing efforts to improve the urban environment and enhance the quality of life in areas affected by the lack of public services, the Dan Foundation for Relief and Development has completed the rehabilitation of Ugarit Park in Al-Hasakah City, within a comprehensive initiative aimed at transforming the park into a safe, green, and well-equipped public space serving children, families, and the local community

An Urgent Need for Safe Public Spaces

Al-Hasakah City suffers from a clear shortage of well-equipped public spaces, which limits children’s ability to play in a safe environment and reduces opportunities for social interaction among community members.

Additionally, many open spaces lack basic facilities such as seating, children’s playground equipment, and proper infrastructure, which negatively affects the quality of life and restricts the use of these spaces for community and recreational activities.

Based on this reality, the Ugarit Park rehabilitation initiative came to respond to a pressing community need, by restoring and developing the park to ensure the provision of a safe and inclusive urban environment.

A Comprehensive Rehabilitation Intervention

The rehabilitation works included an integrated set of technical and engineering interventions, focusing on improving infrastructure and enhancing safety and attractiveness elements within the park. The most prominent works included

· Carrying out comprehensive cleaning of the park grounds and removing waste and obstacles.
· Improving the water drainage system by implementing drainage points and installing dedicated pipes to ensure water flow.
· Installing new rest benches with engineering specifications ensuring comfort, durability, and suitability for public use.
· Supplying and installing modern children’s playground equipment, including swings and slides, in accordance with safety standards.
· Maintaining and updating old playground equipment and replacing damaged parts to ensure safe use.
· Installing solar-powered lighting units with a capacity of 400 watts, enhancing sustainability and providing safe lighting during evening hours.
· Maintaining old lighting poles and improving their operational readiness.
· Spreading soft sand in play areas to reduce the risk of injuries and improve the quality of use.
· Maintaining public facilities such as benches and garbage bins to improve the overall aesthetic appearance.

All works were carried out under the direct technical supervision of the Foundation’s engineers and in coordination with relevant local authorities to ensure compliance with quality and safety standards.

A Space for Childhood and Community Interaction

The project was not limited to infrastructure only but also included the implementation of recreational and awareness activities after the completion of the rehabilitation works, aiming to enhance the use of the park as an active community space.

The activities included

· Group games for children to promote social interaction.
· Outdoor drawing and coloring activities to foster creativity.
· Light recreational competitions to create a positive environment inside the park.

An awareness session was also held for parents and children on the importance of preserving public spaces, the safe use of park facilities, and promoting positive behaviors in shared spaces.

Community Partnership to Ensure Sustainability

The initiative was implemented in coordination with the People’s Municipality in Al-Hasakah and with active participation from the local community, as residents contributed to cleaning campaigns and community support, which strengthened the sense of ownership and responsibility toward the park.

According to the sustainability plan, the park has been handed over to the municipality for management and maintenance supervision, with permanent security assigned to ensure the safety of the facilities and the continued use of the park as a safe and inclusive public space.

Impact Beyond Infrastructure to the Community

The rehabilitation initiative of Ugarit Park represents an important step toward enhancing social cohesion and reviving public spaces in Al-Hasakah City, by providing a safe environment for children, an interactive space for families, and an open venue for community activities.

Thus, the impact of the project extends beyond improving infrastructure to enhancing the quality of life and reconnecting the community with its public space, within a sustainable development vision that places people at the heart of the development process.

As part of the “Colors of Peace” initiative, the Dan Foundation for Relief and Development conducted a series of awareness sessions in several schools and social centers in Al-Hasakah city. The aim was to enhance community awareness among adolescents regarding the dangers of landmines and war remnants

The initiative’s team carried out 11 awareness sessions targeting adolescent students, focusing on several key themes, most notably

· The dangers of landmines and war remnants
· The dangers of using weapons
· Safe behaviors and preventive measures
· Promoting the values of peace and social responsibility

These sessions were implemented in coordination with school administrations and social centers, with active participation from influential members of the local community, including teachers, counselors, and community activists. This contributed to enhancing the acceptance of the awareness messages and ensuring their relevance to the local context

In addition, the foundation organized supportive community activities within the schools, including art competitions for children and adolescents centered around concepts of peace, safety, and the rejection of violence, through drawing and artistic expression. These activities formed a complementary part of the awareness sessions, giving students the opportunity to express their understanding of the presented messages through creative methods, thus helping to establish the concepts of peace and safety in an interactive and impactful manner

These activities fall under the mine risk awareness and war remnants project being implemented by the foundation in the cities of Al-Hasakah and Al-Shaddadi, aiming to enhance community safety and support the most vulnerable groups

The Dan Foundation for Relief and Development implemented a series of humanitarian and awareness-raising activities in the city of Al-Hasakah, as part of the Mine Risk Awareness and Explosive Remnants of War project, which targets both Al-Hasakah and Al-Shaddadi. These efforts aim to enhance community safety and support the most vulnerable groups

Under the initiative entitled “Dignity and Mobility Initiative,” the project team distributed 25 wheelchairs to persons with physical disabilities in Al-Hasakah city and its surrounding rural areas. This was carried out following a thorough assessment process to identify beneficiaries, conducted in coordination with local community committees, while taking into account the type of disability and each beneficiary’s individual mobility needs

These efforts were accompanied by the preparation and printing of awareness leaflets addressing methods of protection from explosive remnants of war and the dangers of landmines. The materials also highlighted the rights of persons with disabilities, mechanisms for supporting them, and the importance of promoting their inclusion within society. The activities further included field-based awareness and distribution campaigns targeting official institutions, workplaces, and residential neighborhoods

The activities were implemented by a team of initiative leaders from among persons with disabilities themselves, with support from volunteers from the local community. This approach aimed to strengthen social cohesion and reinforce their role as key actors within the community, rather than merely recipients of assistance

It is worth noting that social cohesion activities linked to mine risk and explosive remnants of war awareness contribute to empowering local communities to play an active role in both prevention and awareness, thereby enhancing their ability to respond to humanitarian and security challenges

As humanitarian challenges persist, the importance of initiatives that support psychological recovery and promote social integration for the most vulnerable groups becomes increasingly evident. These efforts represent a fundamental component of building more cohesive, resilient, and stable communities

In this context, Dan Relief and Development continues to implement its interventions aimed at supporting the reintegration and empowerment of women returning from Al-Hol Camp, through the Reintegration Project at a Safe Center in the Al‑Subha area of central Deir Ezzor countryside.

As part of the project activities, the organization’s teams conducted specialized trainings for 25 members of community committees on the principles of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS). The trainings aimed to strengthen their understanding of psychosocial support mechanisms and enhance community ownership of the project, ensuring the sustainability of these efforts in the long term.

The activities also included psychological awareness sessions for women and adolescent girls returning from Al-Hol Camp, alongside life skills sessions for children, contributing to their psychological recovery and enhancing their ability to positively adapt within the community. In addition, the project implemented community awareness campaigns targeting adolescent girls on the risks of early marriage, and women on gender-based violence (GBV) and reporting mechanisms. Individual psychological support sessions were also provided for cases requiring specialized follow-up.

Through these activities, DAN reaffirms its ongoing commitment to supporting psychosocial recovery and strengthening the role of women and adolescent girls within the community, contributing to the creation of a safer and more cohesive environment for all.

Dan Organization for Relief and Development completed the “I am dealing” program, which targeted children from 10 to 15 years of age from the displaced in Dan Center in Washokani camp, west of Al-Hasakah

50 children attended 16 sessions over a month and a half of the sessions of the (I am dealing), which aims to deal with self, improve relationships with others, how to deal with emotions and optimism for the future, and set a personal goal for them and work to achieve it

This is part of the ECW (Education Does Not Stop) project, which Dan has been working on in the western countryside of Deir Ezzor and Washokani camp since 2019.

Dan Organization for Relief and Development continues to implement the (parenting skills) program that caregivers receive in Dan Center in “Washokani” camp, west of Al-Hasakah.

Dan offers the training program for child caregivers among other programs at the organization’s center in Washokani camp.

The program includes (how to deal with their children, provide them with psychological support, how to manage stress, and how to take care of themselves and their children).

The program consists of 5 sessions over a month, which is part of the ECW project at Dan Center in Washokani camp.