Syria, DRC Sign MOU to Support Social Programs

Syrian Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) signed Wednesday a Memorandum of Understanding to support social programs in Syria.

The MOU provides for carrying out works related to the development of activities and programs of social care services and to offering humanitarian aid to war-affected persons inside Syria, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).

The agency quoted Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Rema Qadri as saying that the MOU includes serious cooperation to empower persons through capacity building programs and rehabilitation of social care centers affiliated to the ministry.

 “Last year, the ministry studied the most useful areas on which efforts of the two sides will focus in accordance with national priorities and the ministry’s goals,” Qadri said.

On his part, Regional Director of the DRC Ashraf Yacoub referred to the importance of cooperation and partnership with ministry for the second year running. “The DRC will focus this year on juvenile care centers in remote areas.”

The DRC was authorized in 2007 by the Syrian authorities to operate in the country and provide assistance to Iraqi refugees who fled the aftermaths of the 2003 US-led war and subsequent violence started in 2006.

DRC activities in Syria firstly targeted Iraqi refugees, but included also non-Iraqi refugees and Syrian children/families within the sectors of protection, social rehabilitation, education and livelihood support.

After the beginning of the Syrian crisis in 2011, DRC decided to extend its activities and its intervention areas to respond to the needs of the conflict affected population, including refugees, Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) and People in Needs (PIN).

Basma Qaddour