March 7, 2024
News
Thirteen years of war and last year's earthquake have left Syria in a difficult situation. Together with local residents and organisations, we support Syrians in starting their own businesses to revive the local economy. One of the people we supported is Mohammad, who received a grant from us and open his own poultry farm.
Returning to his former profession
Thirty-three-year-old Mohammad is from the countryside of southern Aleppo. However, more than eleven years ago, he had to leave his home due to the war. Now, he lives in a camp for internally displaced people in the Ram Hamdan area of northern Idlib. "I often moved between different areas until seven years ago when I found a place in Ram Hadan where I could settle," Mohammad mentions. When he fled his home, he also had to leave his job as a poultry farmer. This left him unemployed with no means to support himself. "I have over six years of experience in poultry farming, but now I am unemployed, and I cannot cover my living expenses, so I have to live in the camp for the internally displaced people. Occasionally, I manage to find temporary work for a day, but that does not always happen," he adds.
In northwest Syria, we have been providing assistance to those in need together with our partner organisation Violet. We make sure that people who have lost their homes and fled to northwest Syria to escape the fighting receive regular humanitarian aid in the form of essential supplies that are delivered to them every month. During one of these deliveries, Mohammad learned from our colleague about financial grants for small business owners. "I decided to use my knowledge and experience in poultry farming and applied for the grant," he says. After his proposal for the poultry farm was approved, Mohammad completed a five-day training course, during which he learned about the labour market, became familiar with administrative procedures for submitting various applications and learned necessary information about the needs of the region where he lives. After completing the training, he received part of the grant to start his new business. The remaining amount will be given to him once his poultry farm is fully operational. Providing these grants helps people secure a stable income, benefits the community, revitalises the economy, and stimulates the job market.
"I chose to work in this field because of my experience, which is also why I think my poultry farm will succeed. I raise chicks for 37 to 40 days and then take them to the market for sale, where some companies buy them from me. I am doing very well despite the challenges, especially in cold weather," says Mohammad.
Syria 13 years after the start of the war and one year after the earthquake
On March 15, 2011, a civil war broke out in Syria; the residents have been living in a conflict zone for thirteen years. The war began during the so-called Arab Spring, a series of demonstrations, protests, and uprisings that took place in most Arab states from 2010 to 2013. In Syria, these demonstrations called for the resignation of President Bashar al-Assad. The conflict later involved the self-proclaimed Islamic State, Al-Qaeda, and other foreign powers.
The war continues to this day, and the situation in Syria remains desperate, with basic necessities becoming increasingly inaccessible and the economic situation complicating people's daily lives. It is estimated that this year, 16,7 million out of the total 23 million people will need humanitarian assistance. Local residents are also troubled by high unemployment. Syria faces many problems not only because of the war but also because of the devastating earthquake from last February. The country is also negatively affected by climate change, which further worsens the threats Syrians must face. Although the war still rages on and the humanitarian situation in Syria remains critical, local people want to contribute to rebuilding their country. Caritas Czech Republic is there to help them with that.
How Caritas Czech Republic helps in Syria
Caritas Czech Republic has been helping in Syria since 2013. Initially, we provided humanitarian assistance and supported the local healthcare sector. Last year, we also began providing immediate assistance after the catastrophic earthquake, but more help is still needed. Together with our partner organisation Violet, we provide food and other essential necessities to the most vulnerable households in northwest Syria.
We also involve local non-governmental organisations in our cause, presenting them with ways to independently respond to emergencies and provide assistance to their community. In addition, we support young Syrians who want to start their own businesses to become financially independent and contribute to the reconstruction of the Syrian economy.
We are able to help in Syria thanks to the European Commission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, and also thanks to you. We appreciate everyone who decides to help.
