As part of its firm commitment to supporting and empowering youth, the Dan Relief and Development Foundation successfully concluded its intensive training program in the air conditioning and refrigeration profession at the foundation’s vocational training center in the city of Al-Raqqa

The training program extended over three months and targeted 14 ambitious students. The training agenda was meticulously designed to cover all theoretical and practical aspects of the air conditioning and refrigeration profession, with a focus on the latest technologies and practices in this vital field.

The comprehensive training agenda included the following core themes, distributed throughout the training period to ensure complete curriculum coverage:

Introduction to Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Systems
A detailed study of the basic refrigeration cycle, types of refrigerants (Freon), their properties, and applications. Understanding the laws of thermodynamics related to pressure and temperature, and the basic components of refrigeration systems (compressor, condenser, expansion valve, evaporator).

Electrical Circuits and Control Systems
Learning to read electrical diagrams for air conditioning and refrigeration systems, identifying electrical components such as motors, capacitors, relays, and switches. Training on inspecting these components, programming modern electronic control panels, in addition to electrical protection and safety systems.

Installation, Maintenance, and Troubleshooting
Practical training on disassembling and installing indoor and outdoor units of split air conditioning systems, methods for detecting and repairing leaks, safe and effective gas charging and discharging procedures. The training also included handling common mechanical and electrical faults, and preventive maintenance to ensure system efficiency and longevity.

Dan Centers adopted a training methodology focused on learning by practice, where the practical aspect constituted a large percentage of the total training hours. Fully equipped workshops with the latest tools and equipment were provided, allowing students the opportunity to directly apply theoretical knowledge. The program also included guidance sessions on professional ethics and how to manage small projects, aimed at equipping graduates with entrepreneurial skills enabling them to start their own projects or integrate effectively into the labor market.

This program aims to provide youth with the necessary skills and knowledge to enter the labor market efficiently and capably, and to contribute to building their professional capacities to achieve economic independence.

In the second phase of the project, the “Professional Apprenticeship” phase, participants will be distributed across shops and centers specializing in air conditioning and refrigeration for another three months. In its second phase, the program seeks to provide direct practical training that aligns with the needs of the local labor market, helping trainees gain the necessary skills to enter the job market with confidence.

This integrated training enhances participants’ opportunities to improve their economic and professional conditions and gives them the necessary tools to build a successful professional future.

As part of the activities of the Vocational Training Project – Third Cycle, Dan Relief and Development implemented a “Child Protection” initiative aimed at promoting safe and child-friendly spaces within the local community.

The initiative included providing one of the public parks in the city of Raqqa with seating and waiting benches, as well as garbage bins, which contributes to improving the public environment, promoting cleanliness, and providing a more comfortable and safer space for children and families.

This initiative was implemented in coordination and cooperation with the Local Administrative Council, reaffirming the importance of community partnership in supporting sustainable humanitarian and development initiatives.

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.

In a step reflecting its commitment to supporting professional empowerment and enhancing job opportunities, the vocational training center affiliated with the Dan Relief and Development Foundation in the city of Al-Raqqah concluded a specialized professional course in “confectionery and pastry making” after three months of intensive theoretical and practical training, with the participation of 16 female trainees

The course aimed to equip the trainees with basic and advanced skills in the field of confectionery and pastry making, contributing to enhancing their opportunities to integrate into the labor market or launch their own projects. The training program focused on integrated professional practices, starting from the selection of raw materials, through preparation and production mechanisms, to decoration and packaging methods, with full adherence to food and health safety standards.

During the training period, the trainees received intensive practical training focused on mastering the basics of the profession, including identifying types of flour, yeasts, and fats, understanding the chemical interactions between ingredients, as well as acquiring practical skills in preparing various types of Eastern and Western sweets and pastries.
The program also included specialized modules on cost management and product cost calculation to ensure economic feasibility and profitability, in addition to training on occupational safety standards, personal hygiene, and sterilization of tools and the work environment.

The training modules covered three main sections; the first section dealt with pastry and bakery preparation skills, through training on kneading and shaping basic doughs such as the ten-minute dough, brioche, and croissant, as well as learning the secrets of successful fermentation and mechanisms for controlling oven temperatures.
The second section focused on preparing Western sweets, including sponge cake and various cream fillings, in addition to the art of decoration using “mirror glaze” techniques and sugar paste.

In the Eastern sweets section, the participants trained in adjusting the consistency of the sugar syrup (Qatr) to suit each type, such as Basbousa, Knafeh, and Baklava, as well as learning techniques for handling ghee and nuts to achieve the authentic Eastern flavor.

The importance of this profession is highlighted as one of the sought-after home-based professions that enjoys good opportunities within the labor market, making investment in confectionery and pastry-making skills an effective step towards economic empowerment and achieving professional independence for the trainees.

During the course, Dan centers adopted a training methodology based on experiential learning, where the practical aspect took up the largest share of the training hours. They also provided fully equipped workshops with the necessary tools and equipment, giving trainees the opportunity to directly apply theoretical knowledge, along with guidance sessions covering professional ethics and small business management, aiming to prepare graduates capable of entering the labor market efficiently and confidently.

In the second phase of the project, “professional apprenticeship,” the participants will be distributed to shops and centers for the production and sale of sweets and pastries for another three months. In its second phase, the program seeks to provide direct practical training aligned with the needs of the city’s labor market, helping trainees acquire the necessary skills to enter the job market with confidence.

This comprehensive training enhances the participants’ opportunities to improve their economic and professional situations and provides them with the necessary tools to build a successful professional future.

To promote financial inclusion and support sustainable livelihoods, the Dan Relief and Development Foundation is implementing the Saving for Transformation (S4T) methodology, targeting economically vulnerable women in the villages of Al-Alayat and Al-Baydir in the Al-Karamah area, rural Raqqa

Community savings groups have been formed, each consisting of 14 women who meet regularly to organize savings and collectively manage financial resources

The groups follow a systematic savings mechanism, where each member contributes a fixed amount recorded in special registers. The funds are kept in a secure box with three locks, and the keys are distributed among several members to ensure transparency and accountability
These groups also allow members to take small loans from the fund according to agreed, interest-free rules, which helps support small economic activities and improve income levels

The Dan Foundation implements training programs to build members’ capacities in financial management, governance, and decision-making, in addition to providing technical and field supervision to ensure quality implementation
These interventions have contributed to enhancing household financial stability, economically empowering women, and building a savings culture based on cooperation and trust, thereby supporting sustainable impact and promoting self-reliance within the local community

The Dan Relief and Development Foundation reaffirms its commitment to developing effective intervention models that enhance economic and social resilience and build communities capable of adapting to and facing challenges

Vocational training is one of the most important tools for empowering youth and creating new opportunities that help them build a more stable and independent future. In communities facing economic and social challenges, vocational programs stand out as genuine opportunities to turn ambition into practical skills that can generate employment and strengthen community participation

In this context, Dan Relief and Development Foundation has launched the third cycle of its Vocational Training Program, starting with a photography course for 14 young women at the Foundation’s Vocational Training Center in Raqqa.

This course offers ambitious young women a unique professional skill that opens new horizons in the world of creativity and work. Over six months, participants will receive comprehensive theoretical and practical training in the fundamentals of photography, including camera techniques, lighting principles, visual composition, and photo editing skills.

The program aims to equip participants with the professional abilities needed to turn their passion for photography into real job opportunities—whether by establishing their own photography studios, working as freelance photographers for events and occasions, or engaging in commercial and artistic photography fields.

Through its vocational training programs, Dan Relief and Development Foundation reaffirms its commitment to supporting and empowering youth by providing them with practical skills that help them build sustainable careers and contribute meaningfully to the development of their communities.

As part of its rapid response to the urgent needs of displaced people in Al‑Hasakah city, DAN Foundation for Relief and Development concluded, at the end of last February, the fourth round of distributing 130 Ready‑to‑Eat (RTE) food baskets to 130 displaced families residing in seven collective shelters across the city.

The distribution, which continued for a full month at a rate of one round per week, was carried out in cooperation with Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), Funded by the Government of Norway within the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to support those affected by the recent events in the area.

This emergency intervention aims to provide direct food assistance to displaced families living under harsh conditions and lacking basic necessities, helping to alleviate their suffering and support their ability to cope with daily challenges.

This distribution comes as part of DAN’s Emergency Response Program for Displaced People, which includes the provision of various urgent basic services to ensure the preservation of dignity for affected individuals under such difficult circumstances.

Through these rapid interventions, DAN Foundation continues to demonstrate its commitment to providing essential support to community members during times of crisis, reaffirming its ability to respond swiftly and effectively to emergency needs, and strengthening its leading role in humanitarian response in affected areas.

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.

The Dan Foundation for Relief and Development (DRD), in partnership with DCA, continues to implement interventions aimed at supporting farmers and enhancing their ability to restore their sources of income, through a qualitative project in the village of Al-Bayda in the countryside of Ain Issa district in Raqqa Governorate. This intervention comes after DCA teams completed the clearance of two agricultural fields from unexploded ordnance, which paved the way for DRD to work directly with the landowners to revive their agricultural activity, which had been halted for nearly ten years.

As part of this intervention, two agricultural wells were drilled in the two targeted land plots and equipped with the necessary equipment to ensure sustainable irrigation water supply. The wells also underwent operational tests to verify their readiness to meet actual irrigation needs. In addition, the farmers received certified wheat seeds suitable for the local climatic conditions, in quantities sufficient to cultivate an area of two hectares, in accordance with the recommendations of the local Agriculture Directorate.

To encourage the transition towards more efficient irrigation techniques, each farmer was provided with a sprinkler irrigation system, contributing to reducing water waste and replacing traditional surface irrigation methods with more sustainable practices. The intervention also included the establishment of a Farmer Field School in the village, serving as a practical training platform to help farmers apply climate-smart agriculture principles, including modern irrigation techniques, proper agricultural practices for wheat cultivation such as seeding and fertilization rates, integrated pest management, and other methods that enhance productivity and sustainability.

This intervention represents a pivotal step in supporting livelihoods, enhancing local food security, and empowering farmers to restore their vital role in sustainable agricultural production

Dan Relief and Development continues its efforts to provide Accelerated Education services for children who have dropped out of school at the Education Center in Hajin city, eastern Deir Ezzor countryside, as part of the second cycle of the program, which started on 1 November 2025 and will continue until 30 June 2026.

A total of 220 children are benefiting from this cycle, including 105 boys and 115 girls. The educational process is organized into three levels (Level One, Level Two, and Level Three), allowing students to receive education that matches their abilities and learning levels.

Classes are conducted over two school shifts: a morning shift and an afternoon shift, ensuring the inclusion of all students through flexible schedules that meet their needs. The program is supervised by an educational team consisting of specialized trainers and 8 male and female teachers, who contribute to delivering effective education aligned with the program’s objectives.

To ensure a safe learning environment, the organization has allocated three transportation vehicles to transport students to and from their homes. This service is part of ongoing efforts to guarantee children’s safety, especially in areas that may pose risks due to security conditions or transportation challenges.

In addition, the organization conducts awareness sessions for caregivers under the title “The Importance of Education and Returning to School.” These sessions aim to motivate families to support their children’s enrollment in and continuation of education. The program set a target to reach 3,000 caregivers throughout the project’s duration. So far, 1,982 caregivers have been reached, marking significant progress toward achieving the intended goal.

As part of supporting the educational process, school bags and stationery will be distributed to all 220 students during the second week of February, helping to ease their learning journey and provide them with essential educational supplies.

The core objectives of the program focus on targeting children who dropped out of school due to crises and wars and reintegrating them into the formal education system. This is achieved by providing a learning environment that supports accelerated education and helps children overcome the negative impacts of the difficult circumstances they have experienced.

Furthermore, the educational process is accompanied by Psychosocial Support (PSS) sessions for students, implemented as part of the Time Up program, which aims to provide psychological and social support to children affected by conflict.

To enhance students’ participation in the educational process, a Children’s Club has been established, comprising 15 children (boys and girls). The club meets once a month to listen to students’ suggestions, opinions, and demands, ensuring they play an active role in improving the quality of education provided to them.

Dan Relief and Development continues its dedicated efforts to provide educational opportunities for children affected by crises, with the goal of ensuring a better future for them through education.

The Hajin Center is considered a leading model in delivering education to children in crisis-affected areas, as the program strives to achieve sustainable outcomes that contribute to improving the lives of children and their families.