Building Resilience in Syria, One Step at a Time
Published: Sep 14, 2025 Reading time: 3 minutes Share: Share an articleIn northern Syria, where displacement, poverty, and limited access to services shape daily life, thanks to the support of the Syria Cross-Border Humanitarian Fund, we have brought hope and practical solutions to thousands of families. By integrating water, sanitation and hygiene, livelihoods, and community engagement, the initiative reached vulnerable households, including people displaced by the war, host communities, and persons with disabilities, with both lifesaving support and pathways toward resilience.
Nutrition – Protecting Mothers and Children
Malnutrition threatens the health of children and mothers, particularly in camps and remote villages. Through a combined approach of Cash and Voucher Assistance and Social Behavior Change, we supported pregnant and lactating women with nutrition top-ups. Awareness sessions equipped families with knowledge on maternal, infant, and young child feeding in emergencies. In parallel, caregivers of malnourished children under five admitted to stabilization centers received Cash and Voucher Assistance.
Livelihoods – Pathways to Independence
Economic survival is a daily challenge for displaced families. To reduce vulnerability, we organized a three-month Cash-for-Work program for men, who contributed to community services in close coordination with water, sanitation, and hygiene activities. Payments supported households with immediate income while strengthening infrastructure. At the same time, women were empowered through the creation of Self-Help Groups. These groups received training, equipment, and capacity-building to initiate income-generating activities. Members met regularly to save collectively, access loans, and exchange experiences — turning solidarity into a lifeline.
Community Engagement – Stronger Together
Sustainable change requires active community leadership. We established five Community Engagement Working Groups (CEWG) across Tuwama, Kafr Shlaya, and Shamuna camp, each with 15 members including Self-Help Group participants, youth, and other local voices. Members received 10 capacity-building trainings to strengthen their skills, while small community grants of $250 enabled them to launch initiatives that responded directly to local needs. A Policy Influence Report was co-developed with CEWG members, reflecting the perspectives of grassroots organizations, and shared at a stakeholder engagement event to ensure that community voices inform decision-making.
Clean Water, Brighter Futures
Water scarcity remains one of the most pressing challenges in Idlib and Harim districts. To address this, we installed solar power plants for three water stations in Kafar Shlaya, Altuwama, and Shamuna camp, rehabilitated water networks in the same locations, and constructed new groundwater tanks. Operational costs for the Shamuna camp water station were also covered, ensuring continuity of service. Alongside infrastructure, hygiene promotion sessions and the distribution of hygiene kits supported healthier practices, especially for families with young children.
A Model for Resilience
While the scale of needs in Syria remains immense, this project funded by the Syria Cross-Border Humanitarian Fund demonstrates how integrated humanitarian action can deliver more than immediate relief — it builds pathways toward dignity, resilience, and long-term well-being. From clean water and safe nutrition to livelihoods and community leadership, thousands of families are not only surviving but also finding the strength to shape a better future.
