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June 30th, 2025 ― Doha, Qatar: Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has concluded phase 2 of a livelihood project for widows and displaced families in northern Syria, aimed at empowering widows and young people from displaced families through vocational training programs and cash grants to start small enterprises.
A graduation ceremony was held to honor 240 women who completed the vocational training. The ceremony was attended by Mazen Abdullah, head of QRCS’s office in Türkiye, Dr. Barakat Al-Yousef, Deputy Governor of Aleppo, and Hael Assi, director of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (ARCS) – Aleppo chapter.
Now, the graduates are qualified to start their own business, creating better chances of sustainable income and a stronger economic situation locally. The project serves a total of 2,250 direct and indirect beneficiaries.
Over eight months of training, it targeted 800 beneficiaries, including 480 women and 320 young women and men. Also, 450 cash grants were handed over to the new enterprises that met the requirements, with supervision and technical support from QRCS’s team to ensure the success and sustainability of these projects.
A wide range of trainings were provided, including small business management for young people, as well as empowerment of widows in popular professions such as cooking, confectionery making, sewing, beauty centers, and handicrafts.
Another benefit from the project was the restoration of an abandoned training building that had been used as a school, but it was destroyed as a result of bombing. It was transformed into a modern training center that provides a safe and effective educational environment for the community.
Being such a big step towards socioeconomic stability in northern Syria, this project represents a sign of hope for many families affected by the conflict and contributes to a more solid future of self-sufficiency.
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About Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS)
Established in 1978, Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) is Qatar’s first humanitarian and volunteering organization that aims to assist and empower vulnerable individuals and communities without partiality or discrimination.
QRCS is a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which consists of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and 191 National Societies. It is also a member of several GCC, Arab, and Islamic organizations, such as the Islamic Committee of International Crescent (ICIC) and the Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Organization (ARCO). In this legally recognized capacity, QRCS has access to disaster and conflict zones, thus serving as an auxiliary to the State of Qatar in its humanitarian and social efforts — a role that distinguishes it from other local charities and NGOs.
Both locally and internationally, QRCS has relief and development operations in numerous countries throughout the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe, and Central and South America. Its humanitarian mandates include disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and risk reduction. To mitigate the impact of disasters and improve the livelihoods of affected populations, QRCS provides medical services, food, water, shelter, and other needs of local communities. It is also active at the humanitarian diplomacy and advocacy front.
With the help of a vast network of trained, committed staff and volunteers, QRCS aspires to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity, inspired by the seven Fundamental Principles of humanitarian action: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.