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 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.