Syria
Through the Conflict Response Fund, we invest in opportunities for Syrian women and girls to rebuild their lives.
Conflict Response Fund Syria
What is happening in Syria?
We're working with a local partner to bring opportunities for Syrian women to learn new skills and generate their own income
Over a decade ago, a peaceful uprising against Syria’s president spiraled into a devastating civil war. In December 2024, the resignation of President Bashar al-Assad after nearly 25 years in power was due to a major offensive by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and other opposition groups, culminating in the capture of Damascus. However, Syria remains deeply divided, with no unified opposition and ongoing instability.
16.7 million
people are in need of aid, the highest since the war began
Source: UK Government
650,000
people have been newly displaced since November 2024
Source: UNHCR
7.4 million
internally displaced people (IDPs) remain in Syria
Source: UNHCR
Despite a surge of hope amongst the people of Syria, the humanitarian needs are dire. In north-west Syria alone, more than 80% of the population - 4.2 million people - need humanitarian assistance. Alongside the ongoing conflict, Syria entered another drought in 2021 that continues to this day, and faced a devastating earthquake in February 2023, killing tens of thousands. Food and water are scarce, national infrastructure is crumbling and families are being pushed deeper into hunger and desperation.
Under the Assad regime, hundreds of thousands were killed, cities destroyed and millions were forced to leave their homes, families and livelihoods. As the nation rebuilds, Women for Women International remains committed to supporting Syrian women and girls who face increased violence, sexual exploitation and extreme poverty. Their suffering is immense, but so is their resilience.
Meet Zeina
Zeina has dedicated years supporting displaced Syrian women
After leaving Syria 15 years ago, her opposition to the regime meant it was too dangerous for her to go back. Now, she waits eagerly to return, to hug her parents. She says Syrian women must play a role in rebuilding the country.
As Syrians navigate this pivotal moment, we stand alongside them. Together, we are helping women heal from the trauma of war and create brighter futures.
Meeting the Needs of Women Survivors in Syria
Since 2020, we have partnered with Women Now for Development (WND), a local organisation that works to provide women with the opportunity to attain better livelihoods
The organisation trains, educates and supports Syrian women by providing courses at centres on the outskirts of Idlib and the countryside around Aleppo.
Through our Conflict Response Fund, we have provided women and girls with vocational skills training in sewing and computer maintenance, alongside business skills training and small-business grants to help women generate an income. Additionally, WND has delivered online training in Maths, English, Arabic literacy and IT to women and adolescent girls. These courses focus on helping women and girls gain marketable skills, earn an income and support their families. After completing vocational training, women are also given small grants to start their own businesses.
Women Now for Development Programme
When women are enrolled in the WND programme, they take part in a vocational training course. Over the course of our partnership, WND has conducted the following activities:
Vocational Skills
Delivering vocational skills training in sewing and computer maintenance, alongside business skills training and providing small-business grants to women to support them in generating an income.
Online Training
Delivered online trainings in Maths, English, Arabic Literacy and IT to women and adolescent girls.
Social and Economic Empowerment Curriculums
For the first time, we licensed Women for Women International’s social and economic empowerment curricula, which WND adapted and delivered through an eight-month pilot programme. Upon graduation, women received small business start-up grants to help them build sustainable livelihoods.
Emergency Earthquake Response
Following the devastating earthquake that struck Syria and Türkiye in 2023, we responded by working with WND to distribute dignity and hygiene kits to women and girls in Aleppo Governorate.
We also supported the continuation of Safe Space Centres, ensuring the provision of:
- Trauma-informed counselling services
- Gender-Based Violence (GBV) case management
- Basic nursing and first aid training
- Vocational skills training in handicrafts, with small cash start-up grants
- Educational training in Maths, Arabic literacy, Computer Skills, English and Turkish Language
As a 25-year-old Syrian woman far from home and living in a camp, it was difficult. So, when I found out about Women Now for Development, I enrolled in a computer maintenance training course.
The training was great. My neighbour’s laptop broke down and I was able to download the drive and fix it.
Ongoing Partnership and Support
Together with WND, we are responding to urgent needs with tailored support for women and families affected by conflict, detention and displacement
Support for WND’s Team and Their Families:
For the first time in 14 years, many of WND team members can visit their hometowns and reunite with loved ones. We are providing psychosocial support (PSS) and financial assistance to facilitate these visits, recognising the emotional impact of this moment.
Mental Health Support for Families of Detainees:
WND is expanding its network of trained specialists to provide critical mental health and psychosocial support to families of detainees and forcibly disappeared persons, helping them navigate the trauma of ambiguous loss.
Assistance for Released Women Detainees:
Many women and girls recently released from Assad’s regime prisons have experienced severe abuse and face stigma, along with the challenge of caring for undocumented children. WND is prioritizing support for them, working with women-led groups to provide case management, cash assistance, safe shelter, medical care, and food.
Our response continues to evolve as we work closely with WND on the ground to meet the needs of women affected by the conflict.
Support Our Mission
Help us provide critical support to women affected by conflict.
Your donation could help us reach women in their most critical moments, providing emergency psychosocial support, food, hygiene kits and more.
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Conflict Response Fund
subtitle: In 2018, we launched a new conflict response fund — a separate funding pool to more rapidly help women who are caught in the current horrors of our time. To reach women in their most critical moments, we work with partners who can respond to conflict and
In 2018, we launched a new conflict response fund — a separate funding pool to more rapidly help women who are caught in the current horrors of our time. To reach women in their most critical moments, we work with partners who can respond to conflict and make an immediate impact.
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