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

On Tuesday and Wednesday, Dan Foundation for Relief and Development completed the distribution of cash assistance to families displaced by the recent events and residing in several shelters in the city of Qamishli, with support from the War Child foundation

The distribution covered 219 families across 9 shelters, with each family receiving $150 USD, as part of the humanitarian response to the urgent needs of affected families

The foundation targeted families residing in the following centers: Maan bin Zaid School, Abd al-Ahad Younan School, the Teacher Training Institute, Muhammad Hussein Mustafa School, Ibrahim Hanano School (elementary and middle levels), Ararat Nursery, Lahdo Masoud School, and Ali bin Abi Talib School

This response followed continuous coordination with foundations operating in the region since the onset of the displacement wave, aiming to organize efforts and ensure that humanitarian services effectively reach those who deserve them

Enhancing Protection in Shelters

In parallel with the distribution efforts, the foundation carried out awareness sessions targeting women, men, and adolescents within the shelters, focusing on raising awareness of protection risks, beneficiary rights, and safe access pathways to services

The sessions addressed key principles, most notably the right to receive assistance without any form of compensation, the rejection of all forms of exploitation, and the promotion of a culture of safe reporting. The awareness activities also highlighted the importance of child protection, the risks of gender-based violence, and ways to access available support services with confidentiality and dignity

These activities are part of the foundation’s ongoing efforts to foster a safe and supportive environment for all shelter residents

Amid the challenges of displacement and humanitarian crises, carefully directed initiatives continue to play a vital role in easing the suffering of affected families

In this context, the DAN Foundation for Relief and Development, in cooperation with the Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) and with funding from the Kingdom of Norway, has distributed multi‑purpose cash assistance (MPCA) to displaced people residing in collective shelters in the city of Qamishli. The operation targeted 11 shelters, covering 300 families, each of whom received a one‑time payment of 150 USD at the beginning of March

Additionally, at the end of February, the Foundation completed the fourth round of distributing 130 ready‑to‑eat (RTE) food baskets to 130 displaced families living in seven collective shelters in the city of Hasakah

Through these rapid interventions, DAN reaffirms its commitment to providing essential support to community members during times of crisis, demonstrating its ability to respond swiftly and effectively to urgent needs—thus solidifying its role as a leading actor in humanitarian response across affected areas