ZOA Syria successfully concludes the activities of its ECHO funded project

ZOA Syria has successfully concluded its project 'Integrated Lifesaving Assistance to Acute Needs and Support in the Early Recovery of Crisis-Affected Populations in Aleppo, Quneitra, and Rural Damascus Governorates'. The programme, which ran from July 2023 to July 2025, reached approximately 68,665 people with crucial support.

2 September 2025

Lifesaving assistance and recovery support

Funded by the European Union and co-funded by the Dutch Relief Alliance, ZOA, and Syria Humanitarian Fund, this initiative addressed immediate needs while also focusing on the resilience of communities affected by the ongoing crisis. The assistance included a range of integrated support services designed to empower vulnerable populations and enhance their resilience.

Key activities

ZOA offered a comprehensive package of support in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Food Security and Livelihoods, Multi-Purpose Cash Transfers, and Shelter/Non-Food Items. Key activities included:

Rehabilitating community water systems
Restoring agricultural infrastructure
Distributing multi-fuel heaters powered by sustainable fuel
Providing cash transfers to farmers

These efforts have collectively improved access to essential services, strengthened livelihoods, and reduced vulnerability to negative coping strategies.

Transformative impact on daily life

The project had transformative impacts: rehabilitated water systems eliminated the long journeys that community members had to take to access clean and safe water. Meanwhile, winter support provided life-saving warmth to households through the distribution of heaters and eco-fuel.

One beneficiary expressed gratitude, saying, “My house has experienced a sense of warmth after receiving the heater and olive pomace fuel. This heater has also allowed us to reduce our gas usage since we are using it for cooking and boiling of water as well.”

Quneitra, known as the coldest governorate in Syria, has faced challenging times, and the beneficiary appreciates ZOA's pivotal support. Additionally, farmers in Aleppo revived agricultural production with the help of cash transfers and restored infrastructure, which improved their ability to meet basic needs.

Monitoring and Evaluation

ZOA has prioritized protection-sensitive implementation, ensuring inclusive support for women, children, and persons with disabilities. Community feedback has indicated a high level of satisfaction with the relevance and quality of the assistance provided. The conclusion of this project has resulted in improved access to WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) services, expanded livelihood opportunities, and increased community resilience.

Final monitoring and evaluation processes are currently underway to document the outcomes and ensure compliance with humanitarian principles. This initiative demonstrates ZOA’s commitment to helping communities transition from crisis to recovery through integrated and accountable programming in the regions of Syria that have been most affected.