Hope for Syria
Shock. Relief. Joy. Grief. Hope. A rush of emotions swept over us as we realized: Syria is finally Assad-free after 53 years. An era marked by arbitrary arrests, torture, indiscriminate killings, bombing of civilian infrastructure, displacement, exile, and unimaginable pain has finally come to an end. Syrians are daring to hope - and what a feeling that is.
This week, we have witnessed remarkable moments of joy and hope: families reunited, including some of our own team members; people returning to their homes and cities—places they feared they might never see again. We have seen individuals freely expressing themselves on the streets after years of silenced and suppressed voices. Amid this celebration, we remember our loved ones and the many Syrians that cannot share in these moments with us, who were forever torn from their families and homeland. We remember them- holding their memories close.
To the community of people from Syria and around the world who have worked with us for the past 13 years to save and sustain lives – thank you. The future is open, but uncertain. What we do know is that the needs of Syrians remain immense, and your continued support is more crucial than ever.
We remain steadfast in our commitment to being non-political and non-sectarian, addressing urgent needs and rebuilding lives without discrimination of any kind—regardless of race, faith, age, or gender.
Recent events have brought a new wave of displacement, with hospitals overwhelmed by the need for care. The risk of unexploded ordnance poses a serious threat as people move through affected areas. Food shortages are worsening, and the price of bread has skyrocketed. The need for psychosocial care is immense. Syria’s infrastructure is shattered and 90% of the population is dependent on humanitarian aid.
From the onset of the recent events, SARD activated its emergency plan on 28 November 2024 to provide immediate assistance in Aleppo and Idlib. This included delivering essential supplies such as bread, water, diapers, and medical equipment to hospitals and residential care facilities for the elderly. SARD also supported families with children by distributing milk. We received one unaccompanied and separated child to our Interim Alternative Care Center in Azaz. Additionally, SARD initiated a rapid needs assessment in Homs and Aleppo to identify urgent priorities, with findings to be finalized and published by 18 December 2024. You can read a detailed report about the situation and our response on our previous blog here.
Bread distribution in Aleppo.
We are soaking in this historic moment as a weight lifts from the chests of millions of Syrians. We continue our work to save and sustain lives. And we look forward to being a part of rebuilding a Syria where all individuals and communities have the chance to thrive.
We invite you to join us.