- AFS-funded projects
This year, AFS commemorates Human Rights Day by spotlighting the vital work of its implementing partners in helping Syrians regain access to basic rights (including health, education, and shelter) as the country continues its journey towards recovery.
In Syria, the absence of civil registration remains a significant barrier to accessing essential services such as education, healthcare, and legal protection. Years of conflict, widespread displacement and disrupted government services have left many families without civil documentation.
To address this challenge, the National NGO Al-Sham Humanitarian Foundation (AHF) utilised part of its US$ 554,032 grant from AFS under Regular Allocation 3 to deliver legal counselling and awareness sessions on the importance of civil registration in Dana, Idleb, an area that has hosted large numbers of internally displaced families throughout the conflict. Supported by local leaders, these sessions guided families through the process of obtaining civil documents and provided legal advice, benefiting 2,830 people including over 1,000 women.
Raghda*, a mother who attended the sessions and subsequently registered her children, shared; “I kept putting off the registration of my children, but the session opened my eyes to the dangers of not registering. Without birth certificates, my children won’t be able to attend high school or get free healthcare. Today, I feel I've secured their future".
*The name of this individual has been changed to protect their privacy.