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.

Dan Relief and Development has completed the rehabilitation works of Sunbul Primary School, located in the Hajin area of eastern Deir ez-Zor countryside. The school had suffered severe damage as a result of the war in Syria, which negatively affected the educational process in the area

:The rehabilitation works included

Interior and exterior painting

Floor tiling

Repair of the damaged school perimeter wall

Installation of wooden doors for classrooms

Installation of iron doors for the corridor entrance and stairwell

Installation of wooden windows

Installation of glass panes for windows

Maintenance of some doors, including locks and painting

Oil-based painting and finishing works

Installation of a solar power system for the school

Provision of two drinking water tanks, each with a capacity of 2,000 liters

Construction of a sidewalk around the school building to protect the structure

Connection and installation of the internal electrical network

Exterior roughcast (tyrolean) coating for the building and school wall

Installation of iron window guards for classrooms and corridors

Following the rehabilitation, the number of enrolled students increased from 240 to 477 boys and girls, reflecting the positive impact of the intervention in expanding the school’s capacity and improving the learning environment. The school currently includes 12 fully equipped classrooms, staffed by 17 teachers in addition to the administrative team.

The rehabilitation of Sunbul Primary School aims to integrate children targeted by Dan’s education project into the formal education system, contributing to the continuity of education and supporting the recovery of the local community from the effects of conflict.

Dan Relief and Development reaffirms its ongoing commitment to supporting the education sector, considering it a fundamental pillar for reconstruction and for empowering children to build a better future.