Phoenix Stories

Omar Atik of Shafak tells the story of Mustafa—a disabled farmer who, after facing repeated displacements and hardship, received a comprehensive package of agricultural support and capacity building from Shafak. This support enabled Mustafa to revive his land, secure food for his family, and rebuild his livelihood. Omar also highlights Shafak's initiatives aimed at preventing violence against women, including awareness campaigns that engage both women and men to curb domestic violence. He stresses that international support is crucial at this pivotal stage of Syria’s reconstruction, as collapsed infrastructure and the overwhelming needs of internally displaced people demand increased funding and long-term investment to move from emergency aid into sustainable recovery.

Yousef Rakkad of GOAL explains the urgent need to shift from food aid to self-sustaining approaches in Syria. He shares the story of a displaced widow from Aleppo who launched a food processing business with a $500 grant that transformed her into the breadwinner for her family. Yusef also highlights the risks faced by humanitarian workers on the front lines—targeted by snipers and subjected to shelling—which severely impacts aid delivery. He stresses that robust coordination and sustainable, locally driven interventions are essential for empowering communities to move from dependency on aid to lasting self-reliance.

Dr Shaher Abdullateef of Syrian Academic Expertise explains how Ahmad (a local farmer) applied hydroponic techniques learned in an SAE training course to produce vegetables at home—initially using simple pipes and nutrient solutions, and eventually expanding his setup into a greenhouse and selling part of his production. He stresses that local knowledge is essential for Syrian agriculture, and he calls for a shift from short-term aid to sustainable development through research, capacity building, and empowering local experts. He also highlights the creation of an Agricultural Development Centre in Northwest Syria in collaboration with the University of Sussex, which offers practical training and support to local farmers.

Osama Alkhalaf of Qatar Charity explains how his organisation has rehabilitated agricultural infrastructure in northwest Syria. They restored wheat silos and mills, and revived local bakeries to produce bread, creating jobs for families. Osama also highlights support for farmers like Mahmud, whose farm regeneration allowed him to send his children to school. He stresses that comprehensive measures, including dignified shelter and restored public services, are crucial to help internally displaced people to return home. He argues that for Syrian reconstruction to be successful, both the Syrian people and organisations must shift their mentality from isolated efforts to a collaborative, team-based approach, working together as a unified community to rebuild and secure a sustainable future.

Nellie Soudah of People in Need explains how micro-finance initiatives empower women by forming self-supporting groups that pool savings and invest collectively in small businesses, strengthening their economic resilience. She highlights the critical support provided to orphans forced to work to support their siblings, ensuring they can continue their education instead of being trapped in labour. For sustainability in Syria, Nellie emphasises that establishing the rule of law and security, alongside community-driven solutions, is essential for long-term recovery.

Dr Muhanned Malandi explains how Bahar supports livestock breeders, highlighting Najib, a breeder who adopted hydroponics for fodder, received mobile veterinary services, and upgraded his equipment to produce milk sustainably. Dr Malandi stresses that over two million internally displaced people need comprehensive support to return home, including landmine removal, reconstruction of destroyed homes, and rehabilitation of public infrastructure. He also emphasises integrating immediate relief with long-term recovery through sustainable funding, strong local partnerships, and increased international assistance, which is essential for empowering communities and rebuilding Syria’s future.

Kate Robertson from Cara (Council for At-Risk Academics), one of the UK’s oldest NGOs with a unique role—rescuing academics—shares the inspiring journey of a Syrian academic who first worked at the Open University developing an online course and later secured a global talent visa to work at Oxford University. She offers this success as proof of the transformative power of higher education. However, she also expresses disappointment that international funders consistently undervalue higher education despite its critical role in rebuilding Syria.

Joseph Chalhoub, former Coordinator of the Food Security & Livelihood Cluster in northwest Syria, tells the heartbreaking story of two young sisters—aged 12 and 15—whose desperate hunger led them to take their own lives. Their tragic fate exposes critical gaps in current aid efforts. Joseph argues that to prevent further loss and truly support vulnerable communities, humanitarian responses must shift from short-term food baskets to sustainable, coordinated interventions that rebuild food systems, restore essential infrastructure, and empower communities for long-term resilience.

Aylin Shen of WHH emphasises that displaced people aren’t merely seeking handouts—they aspire to regain dignity by earning a living. She illustrates this with Fatima’s story: despite losing everything, Fatima struggled to find a job and secure an income. Her experience underscores the urgent need for sustainable livelihood opportunities that empower individuals to achieve financial independence and self-respect. Aylin advocates for initiatives that provide skill development and economic growth, ultimately helping rebuild lives and foster lasting community resilience in post-conflict Syria.

Ayham Alhuseen discusses two key interventions aimed at both immediate relief and long-term resilience in Syria. He explains how an energy micro-grid initiative—using solar panels to power water pumps—has restored power and improved living conditions for communities. He also describes a legal support project that establishes arbitration committees to resolve local disputes without relying on unstable state structures. Ayham stresses that communities will shift from a dependency on emergency aid and development initiatives that foster self-reliance and dignity. His optimistic message underlines the importance of transforming humanitarian responses into sustainable, community-driven progress for Syria.