BackgroundSwaadna Al Souriya was established in 2015 to help children access school during wartime.
ReachAs well as supporting children, Swaadna works with women to tackle food insecurity and build livelihoods.
ImpactBy helping children return to education, Swaadna prevents armed group recruitment and enables children to reclaim their future.
Swaadna Al Souriya supports women and children affected by conflict and poverty due to the Syrian conflict. Initially established in 2015 to help children to return to school, the organisation’s work has expanded to include women’s empowerment, food security, and livelihood support.
Syria suffered 14 years of devastating war, rights violations and brutal dictatorship by the Assad regime. In a conflict that became a battleground for numerous factions and foreign powers, more than 600,000 people were killed and 13 million displaced − over half of the Syrian population. A humanitarian crisis was created as cities, infrastructure, and the economy were destroyed.
In December 2024, the Assad regime was toppled. Syrians have started to envision a future free from war and oppression. But for now, millions of people are still experiencing starvation, international airstrikes continue, and the work of peacebuilders remains vitally important in the recovery and transformation of the country. Learn more about Rebuilding Syria.
The Syrian conflict disrupted the education of over 2 million displaced children. Many have lost parents, and a complete lack of normality has impacted the lives of many Syrian young people. Every year, Swaadna helps hundreds of these children return to school and regain a sense of structure in their lives. Alongside education for children, the organisation offers classes for women in literacy and parenting skills, as well as distributing food and supplies.
Swaadna provides children with a safe space to recover from the trauma of the conflict, actively working to rebuild their resilience. In 2023 alone, the organisation’s psychosocial support and theatre programme supported 135 children to express identity and emotion, plan their future, learn about their rights and talk to adults.
Swaadna’s work is crucial to reduce children’s vulnerability to recruitment by armed groups or early marriage, and it enables children and parents to restore hope for their future. Peace Direct is proud to have partnered with Swaadna to support this work since 2021.
Learn more about Swaadna on their website: http://www.swaadna.net/. Discover stories of their impact below.
