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Syria, Middle East

SYR01 - Firm Foundation

• View report dated: June 20, 2023

• View report dated: September 14, 2023

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Report Date: January 13, 2025

Update from BHW Syrian Partnership Facilitator

Key People:  Izdihar and Nahla 

No visit has occurred but I had a WhatsApp conversation with Izdihar on the 24th December 2024. The purpose was to assess the situation on the ground in Syria given recent events. 

Recent Events

The situation on the ground in Latakia is very volatile. It is controlled by an extremist rebel group and until there is some order established it is quite difficult to know what the future holds. The centre is currently closed for daily operations. However, they get the children together once a week for ongoing activities and a meal. They need only 1 or 2 people to help as they are not running full programmes. They have paid rent for the time being, but things might change. 

The guardians of the children are begging them to continue the programme as it is a life-line for the children. All these kids are from Muslim families. 

 

Plans for the Future

It is very hard to be positive about the future. They do not believe anything that the people in charge of the country are saying and they cannot foresee an end to the conflict. Initially they said there would be elections in 3 months, now it is in 3 years. 

They want to continue the work with the children but it is not clear how it can continue. They are constantly thinking about this and will come up with a plan. 

 

Current Issues and Challenges

- The situation is very confused and dangerous.
- It is not safe to be moving around in Latakia or Damascus
- That at a national level, some sort of peace can be established

 

Prayer and Praise Points

1) That none of the children have been harmed or killed so far since the coup

2) That they are still able to retain contact with the children and their families and they are still positive about the programme 

Comments

I recommend that we send the next amount of funds due until someone can get there or we review it again.