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.

Dan for Relief and Development Foundation (DRD) conducted a dedicated training for non-specialist community leaders, aimed at strengthening the capacity of local communities to prevent and respond to the risks of gender-based violence (GBV), while protecting the most vulnerable groups

The training was implemented as part of the “Women’s Empowerment in Raqqa and Hasakah” project, in partnership with Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA).

The training targeted 30 male and female participants from the city of Amuda and nearby villages in the Sanjak Saadoun sub-district in the Amuda countryside. Each group participated in a two-day training.

The training covered key forms of gender-based violence and their impacts, as well as skills for early identification of risks, effective communication and active listening, maintaining confidentiality and sensitivity when dealing with affected individuals, and understanding safe referral pathways to specialized service providers.

The training was delivered by certified facilitators who had undergone capacity-building and Training of Trainers (ToT) programmes, alongside joint coordination and supervision with community-based personnel. This approach strengthens the role of local capacities in responding to community needs and protecting community members.

Such trainings contribute to reducing the burdens and risk factors faced by the most vulnerable families, strengthening early identification and prevention, raising community awareness, and empowering community leaders to drive positive change and provide better support to their communities.

Dan for Relief and Development Foundation (DRD) has begun distributing productive equipment to 50 women and girls in Raqqa City who successfully completed vocational training in tailoring and dressmaking, as well as pastry and confectionery production. The activity is part of the “Women’s Economic Empowerment in Raqqa and Al-Hasakah” project, implemented in partnership with Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA)

The assistance included the distribution of 25 modern industrial sewing machines to participants trained in tailoring and dressmaking, in addition to 25 electric dough mixers and 25 gas-powered household ovens equipped with four burners for participants trained in pastry and confectionery production.

The equipment is intended to help beneficiaries transition from vocational training to launching their own productive activities, enabling them to apply the skills they have acquired and establish sustainable sources of income.

DRD previously concluded a three-month vocational training programme targeting 50 women and girls from the most vulnerable groups, including survivors of and women and girls at risk of gender-based violence (GBV).

During the training, participants acquired practical and vocational skills in tailoring and dressmaking, as well as pastry and confectionery preparation, using approaches aligned with local market needs. This contributes to enhancing their employment and income-generating opportunities and strengthening their ability to establish small businesses.

The programme went beyond technical training, with participants also receiving specialized sessions on business development skills to strengthen their capacity to launch, manage, and sustain small businesses. The sessions covered key topics including budgeting, business planning and management, and marketing.

The programme is part of DRD’s broader efforts to promote women’s economic empowerment and equip women with practical, market-relevant vocational skills, helping them access employment or establish small businesses while strengthening their financial independence and ability to improve their livelihoods within a safe and women- and girl-responsive environment.

DRD continues to implement vocational training and livelihoods programmes that respond to the needs of the most vulnerable groups, with a focus on linking acquired skills to employment opportunities and market demands, contributing to economic recovery and more sustainable livelihoods.

Dan for Relief and Development (DRD) implemented a community health initiative entitled “Pulse of Life” in Jazrat Al-Milaj, rural Deir ez-Zor, from 10 to 15 August 2026. The initiative included the distribution of 30 blood glucose meters and their supplies to the most vulnerable cases, alongside free blood glucose testing, health awareness activities, and training on the proper use of the devices

The initiative was launched in response to the challenges faced by the poorest households in accessing essential healthcare services, particularly regular blood glucose testing for people living with diabetes. These challenges are compounded by the high cost of medical tests and the distance some families have to travel to reach laboratories, creating additional financial and health burdens, particularly for older people and patients.

As part of the initiative, 50 free blood glucose tests were conducted to support the early identification of cases requiring follow-up and to determine which beneficiaries were most in need of home glucose monitoring devices.

In response to the health needs of the targeted households, 30 blood glucose meters, along with all necessary supplies, were distributed. In addition, 100 testing strips were provided. Practical training sessions were also conducted for beneficiaries on how to operate the devices, read and record results, maintain the equipment safely, and use it correctly.

The initiative also included health awareness sessions addressing the symptoms of diabetes, prevention methods, the importance of healthy nutrition and physical activity, and the regular monitoring of blood glucose levels. These activities contributed to strengthening beneficiaries’ ability to manage the condition and reduce the risks of related complications.

The initiative was implemented with the participation of volunteers and health personnel, as well as members of the Health Committee and Peace Committee, who contributed to planning, coordination, field supervision, and the organization of sessions and activities. Their involvement further strengthened the role of community committees in responding to local needs.

The initiative helped reduce part of the direct financial burden on targeted households and strengthened their ability to monitor their health conditions, while also increasing awareness of the importance of prevention and early detection of chronic diseases.

The “Pulse of Life” initiative is part of broader efforts to support the most vulnerable groups, improve access to essential healthcare services, and promote a culture of prevention, community cooperation, and locally led responses to health needs in the region.

Dan for Relief and Development Foundation continues to implement the “Be There” program sessions in the Foundation’s safe space at Washokani Camp, west of Al-Hasakah. As of mid-August, the sessions have reached 205 participants, including 43 men and 162 women

The program focuses on helping caregivers cope with daily stress, particularly amid challenging circumstances that may affect their ability to provide effective care and parenting to children.
The program aims to achieve several key objectives, including:
Reducing daily stress through relaxation and stress-management techniques, such as mindfulness and breathing exercises.
Strengthening social support networks and supportive relationships.
Improving the ability to cope with difficult emotions, including frustration and anger.
Reducing parenting-related stress and promoting the use of positive parenting approaches.
Reducing the use of harsh parenting practices and fostering a safer and more supportive family environment for children.

The program aims to support parents and caregivers of children by helping them reduce stress, improve their psychosocial well-being, and strengthen their positive parenting skills.
Through the “Be There” program, we work to promote family well-being and support caregivers in building more positive and safe relationships with their children.

Dan for Relief and Development (DRD), in partnership with Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), has completed the distribution of barley to livestock farmers in villages affiliated with the Sanjak Saadoun Council, near the city of Amuda in northern rural Al-Hasakah, as part of the activities of the “Women’s Empowerment in Raqqa and Al-Hasakah” project

Based on defined eligibility criteria, the activity reached 75 women from 11 villages who own or manage small livestock herds. Each beneficiary received one ton of barley and 10 kilograms of feed supplements.

This support aims to improve livestock health and productivity, reduce animal husbandry costs, and strengthen livelihoods based on livestock rearing, contributing to increased household income and improved capacity to cope with economic pressures.

To further enhance the impact of this intervention, DRD also conducted a four-day specialized training for women livestock farmers. The training covered livestock nutrition management, methods for improving productivity, and approaches to reducing animal husbandry costs, strengthening participants’ knowledge and skills while supporting the sustainability of their income sources.

The “Women’s Empowerment in Raqqa and Al-Hasakah” project is implemented through an integrated approach combining food security, sustainable livelihoods, and protection, with the aim of strengthening the resilience of the most vulnerable women and girls, with a particular focus on survivors of violence, female-headed households, and displaced women.

In addition to supporting small-scale livestock farmers, the project includes economic empowerment pathways through vocational training and entrepreneurship support for 50 women in Raqqa, as well as conditional cash grants to establish income-generating businesses based on approved business plans. The project also supports the formation of women’s groups and provides training on disaster risk reduction and early warning systems to protect agricultural assets from climate-related shocks.

The project also includes protection activities, including community awareness, psychosocial support for women, and emergency cash assistance for critical cases, based on protection assessments that uphold privacy and confidentiality.

Through these interventions, Dan for Relief and Development seeks to strengthen food security and the stability of productive household assets among female-headed households, support sustainable economic empowerment pathways, and enhance women’s ability to gradually transition from reliance on humanitarian assistance toward productive livelihoods and improved income sources. The project also engages beneficiaries and local stakeholders in planning and follow-up, contributing to the sustainability of its outcomes.

Dan for Relief and Development Foundation, in partnership with World Vision International (WVI), has completed its support for collective enterprises in Al-Karama area, rural Raqqa, by delivering equipment and productive assets to two groups comprising 33 beneficiaries, with the aim of enabling them to launch their enterprises and move into the operational and production phase

The handover, carried out on 3 August, included a diverse range of large-scale agricultural and construction equipment, reflecting the scale of support provided to the enterprises and their potential to generate collective and sustainable sources of income.

Agricultural and Construction Equipment to Launch Two Collective Enterprises

The first group, comprising 14 beneficiaries, received an integrated package to launch a collective agricultural enterprise. The package included an agricultural tractor and its attachments, including a plough and disc harrow, as well as repair and maintenance tools, a hydraulic jack, and a grease gun. Safety equipment was also provided, including a first-aid kit and a fire extinguisher.

These assets will enable the group to provide agricultural services in the area and operate them collectively, creating income-generation opportunities while strengthening the sustainability of the enterprise.

The second group, comprising 19 beneficiaries, received productive assets and equipment to establish a collective enterprise in the construction sector. The support included a dump truck for transporting construction materials, block-making machines, multiple molds for producing blocks in different sizes, and a generator, in addition to quantities of cement, white gravel (Gharabia), and black Euphrates sand, as well as safety equipment.

These assets will enable the group to begin production and provide construction-related services, creating new opportunities for its members to generate income and work collectively.

During the next phase, both groups will focus on operating the assets, organizing work and management mechanisms, and developing relationships with local markets. This will help ensure the optimal use of the equipment and support the long-term sustainability of the enterprises.

This intervention reflects the project’s approach of moving beyond direct assistance toward empowering communities to own productive assets and manage income-generating enterprises, while simultaneously strengthening beneficiaries’ technical, managerial, and financial capacities.

Continued Support for Livestock Enterprises

This support builds on the project’s interventions in the livestock sector, where Dan for Relief and Development Foundation supported nine productive sheep- and cattle-rearing enterprises, benefiting nine groups out of the 12 groups targeted.

The support package included 283 sheep, 10 lambs, and 5 rams, as well as 9 cows with their calves. It also included operational supplies and feed, consisting of 5 tons of hay, 6 tons of white barley, 8 tons of black barley, 2 tons of yellow corn, 7 tons of white bran, and 3 tons of compound feed.

A total of 200 heads of household benefited from these enterprises, with each group comprising between 15 and 20 members.

From Assistance to Economic Empowerment

Through these interventions, Dan for Relief and Development Foundation, in partnership with World Vision International, reaffirm their commitment to supporting economic recovery in Al-Karama and strengthening the capacity of local communities to develop more sustainable sources of income.

The interventions go beyond addressing immediate needs by enabling communities to access productive assets, strengthen self-reliance, and contribute to the local economy

As part of the “Women’s Empowerment in Al-Hasakah and Raqqa” project, Dan for Relief and Development (DRD) completed a specialised training for women livestock keepers in the Sanjak Saadoun sub-district council, in the rural area of Amuda, Al-Hasakah Governorate, in partnership with Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA)

In rural Amuda, the training targeted 89 women livestock keepers from 11 villages within the Sanjak Saadoun sub-district. The four-day training aimed to strengthen participants’ knowledge and skills in livestock feed management, contributing to improved productivity, reduced livestock-raising costs, and enhanced livelihoods and household economic security.
The training covered a range of practical topics, including feed management and understanding different types of fodder, preparing balanced rations, and properly preserving and storing feed. It also highlighted the links between proper nutrition, animal health and productivity, and the economic viability of livestock farming.

This training is part of the project’s interventions to support women engaged in livestock production. Eligible beneficiaries will also receive barley feed rations and feed supplements, helping households preserve their productive assets and improve their returns.
The “Women’s Empowerment in Al-Hasakah and Raqqa” project follows a Nexus approach, integrating food security, sustainable livelihoods, and protection from gender-based violence to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable women and girls in rural Amuda, Al-Hasakah, and Raqqa City. The project focuses particularly on survivors of violence, women-headed households, and displaced women.

Areas of Work and Economic Empowerment
Food Security and Livelihoods:
The project supports women livestock keepers through the distribution of feed rations to eligible women in rural Amuda, alongside practical training on integrated feed management to improve productivity and reduce economic costs.

Other Economic Empowerment Pathways:
The project provides vocational and entrepreneurship training for 50 women in Raqqa, along with conditional cash grants to start income-generating businesses based on approved business plans. It also supports the formation of women’s groups and provides training on disaster risk reduction and early warning systems to protect agricultural assets from climate-related shocks.
Protection:
The project includes community awareness activities, a structured psychosocial support programme for women, and emergency cash assistance for critical cases, based on protection assessments that uphold privacy and confidentiality.

Through these interventions, Dan for Relief and Development aims to strengthen food security and the stability of productive household assets, particularly for women-headed households, support sustainable economic empowerment pathways, and help address protection gaps while promoting a safer and more inclusive community environment.

The project also places a strong emphasis on sustainability by strengthening community ownership and involving women beneficiaries in planning and decision-making. This supports a gradual transition from reliance on assistance towards self-reliance and production, while working with local authorities to ensure continued technical oversight of women’s groups and start-up businesses after the project ends.