As part of its Cash-for-Work activities, Dan for Relief and Development Foundation has started providing temporary employment opportunities for 20 skilled workers from Jazrat Al-Milaj village in the Al-Kasrat area of rural Deir ez-Zor. The workers are contributing to the rehabilitation of the village’s agricultural extension unit, in coordination with the Agricultural Extension Unit in Jazrat Al-Milaj, as part of the Resilience and Social Cohesion Project implemented by the Foundation in the area

The rehabilitation works include painting the external facades and interior walls, installing wooden doors and metal protective grills for the doors, as well as carrying out the necessary plumbing, electrical, and maintenance works for the building.

The rehabilitation works started this week and are expected to continue for 20 days. The activity aims to improve the condition of the extension unit and prepare it to provide better services to farmers and the local community.

The activity combines the rehabilitation of a community service facility with the provision of temporary employment opportunities for skilled workers, supporting livelihoods and strengthening the participation of local community members in improving public services and facilities.

As part of the project to strengthen resilience and social cohesion in the Al-Kasrat villages of rural Deir ez-Zor, specifically in Jazrat Al-Milaj, and within the framework of the livestock support programme, Dan Foundation for Relief and Development provided financial assistance to livestock owners in the area

A total of 50 livestock owners benefited from this support, with each beneficiary receiving USD 300, amounting to a total of USD 15,000.

The support aims to help beneficiaries meet the costs of feed and other essential livestock-related needs, contributing to the protection of their livestock, strengthening their livelihoods, and enhancing their resilience.

Following the provision of financial assistance, Dan will provide beneficiaries with a package of administrative and financial management training aimed at strengthening their capacity to manage and effectively utilize the cash assistance. The training will support beneficiaries in properly planning their expenditures, organizing their purchases, and maximizing the use of the assistance to sustain their livestock and strengthen their livelihoods.

For years, the agricultural sector in northern Raqqa has suffered from the impact of ongoing conflict, resulting in the deterioration of agricultural systems, destruction of infrastructure, and limited access to modern farming technologies. These conditions have left agricultural cooperatives and small-scale farmers increasingly vulnerable to challenges.

Technical Capacity-Building Project

In response to these challenges, DAN Relief and Development launched a project aimed at strengthening the skills of agricultural cooperative members through the establishment of “Farmer Field Schools.” The project is being implemented in Yarmouk Farm (Khirbet Al‑Inab Cooperative) and Jarboua Village (Al‑Noor Cooperative), focusing on climate-smart agriculture techniques for vegetable production in protected environments.

The project includes creating a model environment featuring one greenhouse and 0.2 hectares of plastic tunnels at each site. These training platforms have become key hubs for exchanging knowledge and modern agricultural practices among farmers, enhancing the community’s ability to adapt to climate change.

Project Benefits and Outcomes

The project helps develop farmers’ skills in several areas, including:

Sustainable Production: Promoting climate-smart agriculture practices such as efficient irrigation systems, integrated pest management, and soil health.

Improved Productivity: Through protected agriculture techniques, farmers can increase productivity, improve crop quality, and extend the growing season.

Economic Empowerment: The project reduces farmers’ reliance on external aid, strengthens food security, and creates opportunities for diversifying income sources.

Community Collaboration and Learning: It encourages participatory learning among farmers and fosters innovation within cooperatives by transferring knowledge to the wider community.

Activities and Progress

Since the project was launched in September 2025, DAN has conducted training sessions on cooperative management and cooperative marketing. Agricultural activities have also begun: plastic greenhouses were installed in November 2025, seedlings were distributed in November in designated trays, and the irrigation network was prepared. Crops were protected from cold using white mesh and black mulch.

Future Outcomes

The project is expected to enhance agricultural communities’ capacity to face climate change challenges and improve resilience to future climate-related shocks. It also contributes to building a sustainable farming model in conflict-affected areas, strengthening food security and economic stability in the region.