Rescue & Medical Care
Crisis Relief for Syrian Religious Minorities
- Location Syria
- Timeframe March 2018 - Present
- People Christians , Kurds , Yezidis , Arab tribes of NE Syria
- Project Goal $1,350,000
Rescue & Medical Care
Violent attacks and ongoing conflict across Syria have unleashed terror in communities that were once bastions of faith, culture, and diversity. Religious minorities—Christians, Yazidis, Kurds and others—are fleeing in desperation to find safety.
The escalating violence has left many vulnerable, forcing families to flee with nothing but the clothes on their backs. In many areas resources are stretched thin as displaced people seek refuge. They urgently need shelter, food, medical aid, and basic supplies to survive.
The Syrian civil war, which began in 2011, has caused immense suffering for civilians, especially religious minorities. Christians, Yezidis, and other minority groups have been disproportionately affected, facing targeted attacks by Islamist militants like ISIS and other factions. Converts to Christianity from Islam are at heightened risk of violence, abductions, and execution. The war has left millions displaced and entire communities devastated.
The recent 2023 earthquakes further compounded the crisis. Thousands of families were left without shelter, food, or medical care as infrastructure continues to collapse. In particular, over 5,000 Christian households in Al-Hassaka have faced extreme water shortages, while others in the region have struggled to survive amidst economic collapse, ruined infrastructure, and constant violence. These minorities, vulnerable to persecution and terrorism, continue to face systemic hardship, including forced displacement and lack of access to essential resources like clean water and food.
Shai Fund is responding to the crisis across Syria with life-saving assistance, including food, medical care, hygiene kits and safe shelter for the most vulnerable.
Time is critical. Every day that passes puts more lives at risk.
With winter approaching, those fleeing violence across Syria will face not only insecurity but harsh weather and limited resources. Your support can make a life-saving difference.
Shai Fund is currently implementing humanitarian projects throughout North East Syria in response to the effects of the ongoing conflict and the aftermath of the earthquake in 2023.
Aleppo Displacement Relief (2024-2025) This emergency relief effort includes providing food, water, medical supplies, and shelter for Syrian religious minorities who have been displaced by the violent attacks of Islamist militia taking control of Aleppo.
Agriculture Project (July 2024 – June 2025) This project enhances the resilience of 25 Christian families in Gersheran and Rutan by improving agricultural practices. It includes providing seeds, solar panels, and plowing machinery. A solar-powered irrigation system and a cooperative for managing resources aim to improve crop yields and economic conditions.
Therapy Project (August 2024 – June 2025) This initiative provides art therapy to 90 Christian children in Aleppo, helping them process trauma from the earthquake and ongoing conflict. The project offers a secure space for creative expression and emotional healing through art, with sessions held at the Syriac-Orthodox Church Mar Afram.
Emergency Medical Clinic (2023 – present) Established in al-Qahtaniya, this clinic provides essential medical services to over 17,000 residents, including Christians, Yazidis, Kurds, and Arabs. The clinic equipped with an ambulance offers internal medicine, pediatrics, gynecology, and emergency care, serving as a crucial healthcare resource in a conflict-affected region.
Shai Fund has been active in Syria distributing vital food security and humanitarian relief aid since 2015. Our response to urgent needs includes delivering food and medical equipment, and distributing emergency supplies and hygiene kits to affected communities. Our team continues to support the religious minorities of Syria with emergency relief and ongoing advocacy to raise awareness about the situation.
Relief Aid Distribution (2018) Shai Fund team assisted 1,211 people in Syria with food, clothing, blankets, medical assistance. This also included providing a family friendly space with a children’s playground.
Earthquake Aid Distribution (April- May 2023) Food parcels and hygiene kits were distributed to vulnerable families in North East Syria and Aleppo. We provided 300 food parcels and hygiene kits in Al-Hassaka, supporting 600 families. Additionally, we aided 560 Christian families in Aleppo with food and essential supplies, part of a broader relief effort totaling USD 30,000 for immediate needs and USD 40,000 for livelihoods development.
Water Distribution (Jan 2024 – July 2024) To address the severe water crisis affecting communities and agriculture in Al-Hassaka, we set up clean water distribution from wells in the Khabur Valley. Over six months, 10.7 million liters of water was delivered using four water tank trucks. This project provided sustainable water access by investing in solar panels for the wells and establishing a self-sustaining model for water distribution.
Livelihood Project (July 2024 – August 2024) Focused on rebuilding businesses in Syria affected by the February 2023 earthquake, this project supports 15 Christian families by restoring and establishing businesses in various locations. The project is revitalising local economies, creating job opportunities, and empowering communities through business training and support. Projects like our bakery in N.E. Syrian trains and supports women to not only source local ingredients, bake and sell breads, but to learn about co-operatives and manage business operations, and ultimately own their own bakery, which brings food security to the community and enriches the local economy. It empowers women with lasting and transferable business, baking, and life skills and creates community access to food security through nutritious, affordable breads. (This project was made possible by a donation from Freistaat Bayern, Germany).
We must act urgently to provide relief to vulnerable religious minorities fleeing violence and persecution. With your partnership, we can:
As winter approaches, those fleeing violence will face not only conflict but freezing temperatures and limited resources. Your donation today can mean the difference between survival and despair for these families.
Time is of the essence. Each passing day puts more lives at risk.
Act now to stand with these families.
