Danish civil society partners in Syria
Danish Refugee Council (DRC)
In Syria, the Danish Refugee Council works to ensure life-saving humanitarian aid for people with urgent needs. It includes shelter, protection, sanitation and hygiene services, and economic rehabilitation for internally displaced persons, returned refugees and returned displaced persons, Palestinian refugees and local host communities. In addition, the Danish Refugee Council works to ensure sustainable long-term solutions and resilience of people affected by displacement in Syria.
Example of project
"Specialized protection of children and young people" - The Danish Refugee Council is developing its protection program with a focus on psychosocial services for children and young people in its activity centres. Based on a psychosocial curriculum tailored to different ages and genders, employees help the target audience develop their ability to process emotions and express themselves, increase feelings of self-esteem and self-confidence, and be able to interact positively with other children, parents and individuals in their network. The curriculum is complemented by meetings aimed primarily at female caregivers, with a view to supporting them in regaining their psychosocial well-being and to creating a supportive environment for their children at home. The Danish Refugee Council has a special focus on people with disabilities, unaccompanied children and marginalized groups.
Areas
The Danish Refugee Council is present in areas of Aleppo, Homs, Hama, Rural Damascus, and Daraa governorates, in cooperation with its local partner, the Syrian-Arabian Red Crescent (SARC).
Partners
The Danish Refugee Council is cooperating with the Syrian-Arabian Red Crescent (SARC) in Syria.
Read more about the Danish Refugee Council on its website here:
The Danish Red Cross
The Danish Red Cross and its partners in Syria provide primary health care to internally displaced persons and host communities through their well-established network of health facilities, ambulance services and mobile medical teams. In parallel, the Danish Red Cross also provides psychosocial support to promote children's and adults' overall abilities to cope during crises and emergencies. During crises and emergencies, the Danish Red Cross and its partners are present among the local communities, and are ready to support the affected population with basic necessities such as food, water and shelter, through the distribution of relief items or the transfer of cash, which allows the affected populations to meet their basic needs in a flexible and dignified manner. The Danish Red Cross also works to strengthen local communities' resilience and their ability to recover from crises by assisting with vocational training.
Areas
In Syria, the Danish Red Cross is present in the governorates of Al Hasahek, Deir ez Zor, Al Raqqah, Aleppo, Homs, Damascus, the rural areas around Damascus, Sweida, Quenitra, Dara’a and Idlib.
Local partners
Syrian-Arabian Red Crescent and Palestine Red Crescent - Syria branch
Read more about the Red Cross on its website here:
Røde Kors | Altid til stede (rodekors.dk)
DanChurchAid
DanChurchAid is responding to the crisis in Syria since 2015 through a number of projects supported by Denmark. In Syria, the organization's humanitarian response focuses on Protection Assistance, Rehabilitation of schools and private shelters, Cash for Food Assistance, Early Recovery and Multi-purpose Cash Assistance in addition to Demining, Risk Education, Surveys and Clearances.
Example of project
With the support of Danida, DCA aims to alleviate the suffering of the protracted conflict affected women, men, girls and boys in vulnerable communities by helping them meet their basic needs and live in safe and dignified conditions, while enabling the building back of personal and local resilience. This includes responding to the most urgent needs of communities by providing flexible fit-to-need multi-purpose cash assistance, rehabilitation of private shelters and schools to ensure equitable and safe access to education facilities and improve living spaces, as well as providing protection, case management and awareness raising sessions to enhance targeted communities’ ability to recognize and secure their rights, thus increasing individual and community resilience.
Areas
In Syria, DanChurchAid implements projects in North-East Syria, specifically targeting Raqqa and Aleppo.
Partners
Rojava Mine Control Organization (RMCO)
Read more about DanChurchAid on its website:
Folkekirkens Nødhjælp
Mission East
Since 2019, Mission East has developed its Syria Regional programme, working in both Syria and Lebanon, into one that prioritizes self-reliance and resilience-building and contributes to emergency response while making a connection to overall sustainable recovery. The programme works with inclusive, integrated approaches to address a range of needs and vulnerabilities, from evolving immediate humanitarian needs to sustainable recovery and resilience-building. Simultaneously it works to build social cohesion between refugee/internally displaced/returnee and host communities in Syria and Lebanon, targeting some of the most vulnerable population groups such as women, children and youth.
Example of project
Mission East's latest program is one of three programs implemented by Mission East and its partners since 2019. The project provides crisis-stricken households in Syria and Lebanon with COVID-adapted hygiene packages, food and protection services, in order to meet urgent humanitarian and protection needs. Protection benefits include psychosocial support and awareness-raising about gender-based violence, domestic violence, and issues related to protection of children. At the same time, the project helps to minimize the harmful survival strategies among the most vulnerable households, as well as to support (re-) establishment of sustainable income-generating opportunities in rural and urban areas in Syria, with a special focus on improving women's livelihoods.
Areas
Tall al-Daman, Jabel Saman, Hanano and Sakhour in Aleppo, as well as Al-Duwair and Al-Khalidiya in Homs.
Partners
Dorcas International and sub-partner the Orthodox Church of Homs.
Read more about Mission East on its website here:
Mission East
Save the Children
Save the Children works in Syria with funds from the Danish government. In Syria, the efforts apply especially to the many internally displaced people. In cooperation with Syrian civil society organizations, Save the Children works to ensure relief and protection, and to help children return to school after long-term absences. Save the Children works with local actors to strengthen children's self-esteem and social skills so that they can better protect themselves and others, provide psychological first aid, and initiate creative activities and group courses that give children the opportunity to recover from war traumas. Save the Children supports young people in their efforts to be heard and have a say.
Example of project
Save the Children collaborates with two Syrian organizations to improve the quality and access to education for children in Northwest Syria. Together we provide non-formal education to children who are at risk of dropping out, we renovate schools and provide learning materials. At the same time, the project includes a focus on child protection, mental health and psychological support and offers case management services to girls and boys who need it. The project focuses on advancing the local leadership of a child rights-based response by strengthening the technical and coordination capacity of local actors and by increasing the active participation of affected communities. In collaboration with Save the Children and with funding from Danida, Syrian organisations have established temporary learning spaces and child-friendly spaces and they have strengthening existing emergency response networks within the communities. The aim is to strengthen networks’ ability to detect emergencies and alert the camp and school management as well as to respond to emergency situations that can affect children.
Areas
In Syria, Save the Children works with Danish support in all parts of the country. The above-mentioned project is implemented in Northwest Syria.
Local partners
Save the Children works with a number of Syrian organisations across the country.
Read more about Save the Children on its website:
Red Barnet | Støt og red børn i Danmark og resten af verden
Danmission
Danmission is an independent faith-based organisation affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark. In Syria, Danmission works through partnerships with churches and civil society organisations. Their work focuses on three overarching themes rooted in Danmission's vision of sustainable existence and peaceful coexistence: 1) Theology and social action 2) Dialogue and peacebuilding 3) Sustainable and just management of natural resources.
Example of projects
Danmission Supports projects addressing psychosocial and nutritional needs of Syrian children and their families coming from different ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds. Furthermore, projects address and mitigate community divisions in post-war Syria, working with religious and social actors and local community organisations to strengthen social cohesion.
Areas
Focus on the rural areas in Syria
Partners
Middle East Council of Churches, Forum for Development, Culture and Dialogue, National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon, Compassionate Protestant Society
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been providing humanitarian assistance to people affected by armed conflict and emergencies since 1863 and has also worked to implement international humanitarian law into national law. This has also been the case during the last 10 years of conflict in Syria, where the ICRC, among other things, has distributed emergency supplies and ensured access to water and medical care for hundreds of thousands of people. In 2022, the ICRC in Syria focuses on the following, 1) to continue to ensure access to support and protection for the most vulnerable, 2) to scale up activities that help conflict-affected people become more resilient and enable them to meet their own needs, 3) to support essential services, such as water and electricity, to vulnerable communities, 4) to build local capacity to search and mark areas with explosive remnants of the war, as well as to inform the population of its danger, 5) to improve the living conditions of detainees, and 6) to increase understanding and respect for international humanitarian law.
Example of project
In cooperation with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC), the ICRC works to prevent the collapse of vital services. Therefore, the ICRC provides support for the maintenance and repair of public infrastructure in the country, for example in the form of seven large water supply systems and electrical installations, which supply over 10 million people, and on which hospitals and other vital public services depend.
Areas
All of Syria.
Partners
Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC).
Read more about the ICRC on its website here:
International Committee of the Red Cross (icrc.org)
The International Rescue Committee (IRC)
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is an international NGO that helps people affected by humanitarian crises to survive conflicts and re-establish their lives. Denmark supports the IRC's diverse efforts in Syria, including: 1) ensuring a continuous supply of medicines, supplies and equipment; 2) preventing COVID-19 through information campaigns and by training health professionals; (3) providing displaced families with food and emergency financial assistance to meet their immediate needs; and 4) creating safe areas for women and girls where they can access psychosocial services, counselling, training in various skills, etc.
Example of project
In line with the 2021 Syria Humanitarian Response Plan, in 2021 the IRC implemented a project to strengthen the state of health and basic living conditions of vulnerable communities in Northern Syria. The project ensures i.e. strengthened access to life-saving health services, as well as cash contributions to vulnerable households to meet basic needs and strengthen resilience at the household level.
Areas
Northeast and Northwest Syria
Local partners
Among others, Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS), Independent Doctors Association (IDA), Syrian Expatriates Medical Association (SEMA), Sustainable International Medical Relief Organization (SIMRO), Syria Relief and Development (SRD), and Union of Medical Care and Relief Organization (UOSSM).
Read more about the International Rescue Committee on its website:
International Rescue Committee (IRC)
Oxfam
Oxfam has been present in Syria since 2013, and since then the organization has provided emergency, life-saving assistance, including the supply of clean water, food and necessary clothing, as well as more long-term support, including the establishment of small businesses as well as support for farmers for the production of food and livestock. Oxfam's work also includes hygiene promotion and the establishment of hygiene facilities in schools, something that has proved particularly valuable during the COVID pandemic. Oxfam is currently working in eight of Syria's 14 governorates. The organization works with and through local NGOs to strengthen their voice and ownership.
Example of project
Denmark supports Oxfam in Syria in its assistance to crisis-stricken populations, especially women and young people in rural areas around Damascus. It includes support for small businesses and the creation of sustainable employment opportunities for those most in need. In addition, the organization supports farmers and livestock keepers in making the best possible use of their land, thus boosting local agriculture. In addition, Oxfam works to prevent and respond to gender-based violence with a special focus on women and youth. Finally, Oxfam is focusing on building the capacity of civil society in Syria, in order to strengthen the voice of conflict-affected people.
Areas
The rural areas around Damascus, Al Hasakeh, Deir Ez-Zor, Aleppo, etc.
Local partners
Syrian Society for Social Development (SSSD)
Read more about Oxfam IBIS on its website:
Oxfam IBIS | Sammen mod ulighed
Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA)
ADRA Denmark deals with development work and humanitarian aid in order to fight the root causes of poverty and inequality. With support from the Danish government, which is ADRA Denmark's largest donor, ADRA in Syria contributes with emergency aid both in the short and long term: 1) by covering urgent needs for clean water, sanitation and protective equipment to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and 2) by refurbishing, among other things, schools, health clinics and water and sewer systems. In addition, ADRA assists with psychosocial support and education programs for children who have been out of school for many years due to the war. ADRA’s support goes especially to internally displaced Syrians who return to their communities. These are some of the most vulnerable people as they often return to nothing. ADRA supports them in rebuilding their lives in a dignified way upon their return.
Example of project
ADRA has launched a teaching program for children who have dropped out of normal school, in order to prepare them to return to school. For a long time, the majority of the students have not, some of them never, had the opportunity to follow a normal school education, e.g. due to the destruction of local school buildings, fear, war traumas or poverty. The preparatory takes place in the afternoon, so the participants have the opportunity to both work and go to school. Some participants receive individual support from a counsellor who also works with the participants' families.
Areas
Amothers Aleppo, the rural areas around Damascus and Homs
Partners
ADRA Syrien
Read more about ADRA on its website:
ADRA Danmark
