In the heart of northeastern Syria’s Al-Hasakeh Governorate, Ahmad*, a 57-year-old farmer and father of seven, has worked in farming his entire life. In recent years, his livelihood, like so many others, was pushed to the brink. Droughts, rising temperatures, and declining market prices for livestock, combined with the overwhelming costs of traditional irrigation methods,...
Women-led organisations (WLOs) in Northwest Syria are on the frontlines, supporting women, girls, and communities. Yet they face systemic barriers to funding and equitable partnerships. Research led by CARE and partners shows that many WLOs struggle with short-term grants, complex donor requirements, and exclusion from decision-making spaces. Despite challenges, WLOs continue to provide vital services...
For Ahmad, a 57-year-old farmer in Al-Hasakeh, drought and rising costs nearly destroyed his livelihood. Traditional irrigation required massive fuel expenses, draining his income. Through the Syria Resilience Initiative (SRI), he received a solar-powered sprinkler system that cut his costs fivefold, reduced irrigation time, and doubled his cultivated land. This success reflects a larger truth:...
In Al-Hasakeh, women contribute significantly to household survival through farming, handicrafts, and daily wage labor. Yet they face alarming rates of physical, psychological, economic, and sexual violence, worsened by poverty and harmful gender norms. Formative research conducted under the Building Local Resilience in Syria programme reveals that 74% of women are excluded from income-generating activities,...
Wheat is Syria’s most vital crop, yet women—despite their central role in planting, harvesting, and post-harvest processing—remain excluded from decision-making, resources, and higher-value opportunities. A gender-responsive wheat value chain analysis in Northeast Syria found that restrictive gender norms, lack of land ownership, limited access to finance, and discriminatory practices prevent women from benefiting equally. Women...
After more than a decade of conflict, displacement, and climate shocks, Syria’s farmers face immense challenges. Yet agriculture remains a lifeline for millions. Through the Syria Resilience Initiative (SRI), supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, farmers like Jamila in Aleppo and Shahada in Al-Hasakeh are regaining dignity and income. Jamila, a widowed...
