As part of a women’s empowerment project in Raqqa and Al-Hasakah, funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), the Dan Foundation for Relief and Development conducted a training course on disaster risk reduction. The course took place at the foundation’s center for “Disaster Risk Reduction and Gender-Based Violence Activities” in the village of Sanjak Saadoun, rural Amuda, and lasted for three days

The training targeted two groups, each consisting of 8 female participants from the same village and surrounding areas. It focused on strengthening the capacities of emergency response teams for disaster risk reduction, led by women.

The course covered key topics, including: disaster risk management and local hazards, safety and security during emergencies, fire prevention and suppression, flood preparedness and response, first aid and emergency response, and community awareness and preparedness.

The training combined theoretical sessions with practical exercises, enabling participants to gain the knowledge and hands-on skills necessary for emergency response.

On the final day, essential disaster risk reduction toolkits were distributed to the participants to support their preparedness and enhance their ability to respond effectively within their communities. The materials provided to each participant included: a firefighting suit, thermal safety boots, thermal gloves, a helmet, a face shield, a 12 kg powder fire extinguisher, and a first aid kit.

This training course is part of the Dan Foundation for Relief and Development’s efforts to strengthen local communities’ ability to face disasters and reduce their impacts, by building women’s capacities and enabling them to play active roles in emergency response and protecting their communities. Such interventions contribute to enhancing community readiness and spreading a culture of prevention and preparedness, positively affecting individual safety and the sustainability of local development.

The foundation believes that investing in women’s capacities and equipping them with the necessary knowledge, skills, and tools is a fundamental pillar for building more resilient communities capable of facing challenges and crises, thereby strengthening women’s role as key partners in protecting society and supporting recovery and development pathways

As part of its ongoing humanitarian commitment to alleviating the suffering of affected and displaced families, the DAN Foundation for Relief and Development, in partnership with War Child\ WC organization, has successfully implemented a comprehensive emergency response campaign targeting collective shelters in the towns of Amuda and Qamishli in Al-Hasakah Governorate.

The foundation ensured the provision of an integrated support package to meet the basic needs of displaced families, which included:

Ready-to-Eat Food Baskets (470 baskets)
A total of 470 ready-to-eat (RTE) food baskets were distributed to displaced families in the shelters, aiming to meet their essential food needs amidst the difficult living conditions and food insecurity these families face.

The intervention was not limited to the distribution of relief items alone; it was accompanied by an integrated program of recreational activities and psychological support, reflecting the foundation’s comprehensive approach to humanitarian action.

Recreational PSS activities were organized for children, benefiting 470 children residing in the shelters. These sessions aimed to alleviate the psychological stress resulting from displacement and provide a safe space for children to express their feelings through purposeful recreational activities.

Furthermore, the foundation’s psychosocial support team provided Psychological First Aid (PFA) services to 470 beneficiaries, including both children and adults. This involved offering immediate emotional support, active listening to the most affected cases, and identifying urgent psychological needs for potential referral to specialized services when necessary.

In addition to food assistance and psychological sessions, Cash for Protection/ CfP was provided to over 100 of the most vulnerable families. This support included the provision of winter supplies, personal hygiene items, and medical services, whether treatments or medical equipment, along with other basic needs, all distributed based on a thorough needs assessment.

Impact of the Intervention and Continued Commitment

This intervention reflects the commitment of the “DAN Foundation” to providing a comprehensive humanitarian response that addresses both material and psychological needs, stemming from its vision aimed at enhancing human dignity and ensuring a safer and more stable life for affected families.

The foundation continues its work in partnership with local entities and supporters to extend a helping hand to those affected in various regions, as part of its ongoing endeavor to reach as many people in need as possible and mitigate the impact of the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

As part of its rapid response to the urgent needs of displaced people in the city of Al-Hasakah, Dan for Relief and Development concluded on Sunday the distribution of 130 ready‑to‑eat (RTE) food baskets to 130 displaced families. The baskets were delivered across seven shelter centers within the city.

This intervention was carried out in cooperation with the Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), as part of the organization’s ongoing efforts to support those affected by the recent events in the region.

The emergency intervention aims to provide direct food assistance to displaced families living in harsh conditions and lacking basic necessities, helping alleviate their suffering and enabling them to cope with daily challenges.

This distribution comes within the framework of Dan’s emergency response program for displaced people, which includes providing various essential and urgent services that help preserve the dignity of those affected during such difficult circumstances.

Through these rapid interventions, Dan for Relief and Development reaffirms its commitment to delivering necessary support to the community in times of crisis, and highlights its ability to respond swiftly and effectively to urgent needs—strengthening its leading role in humanitarian response efforts in affected areas.