Exploring Syrian civil society as well as grassroots and international social initiatives that deal with everyday civilian life in Syria. https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/civil-society/rss en Civil Society Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Mon, 16 Apr 2018 11:00:00 +0000 Alaa https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2018/04/16/what-red-lines-and-foreign-intervention-look-like-for-syrian-civilians https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2018/04/16/what-red-lines-and-foreign-intervention-look-like-for-syrian-civilians Alaa, a civil society worker who has been in Damascus since the start of the conflict, weighs in on the impact and the perception of civilians on the ground have of U.S. and Russian foreign intervention in Syria. Civil Society Health Fri, 30 Mar 2018 11:00:00 +0000 Abdullah https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/03/30/personal-essay-caring-for-mental-health-under-the-bombs https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/03/30/personal-essay-caring-for-mental-health-under-the-bombs In this installment of our series of diaries from Syrian care providers, Abdullah, a psychosocial community health worker with a local partner of the International Rescue Committee in Idlib, discusses his work helping families cope with depression and other mental health issues that are rampant across the city. Civil Society Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Human Rights Thu, 15 Mar 2018 14:30:00 +0000 Laurie Lee https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2018/03/15/what-are-you-doing-while-ghouta-burns https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2018/03/15/what-are-you-doing-while-ghouta-burns Seven years of war in Syria have taught us that the international community no longer has any shame. But the upcoming Syria meeting in Brussels presents four opportunities to change that, writes Laurie Lee, CEO of CARE International UK. Civil Society Health Human Rights Thu, 01 Mar 2018 12:10:00 +0000 Kim Bode, Alessandria Masi, Hashem Osseiran https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2018/03/01/deeply-talks-the-humanitarian-catastrophe-in-eastern-ghouta https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2018/03/01/deeply-talks-the-humanitarian-catastrophe-in-eastern-ghouta In the latest installment of our Deeply Talks, Dr. Annie Sparrow, assistant professor at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and Dr. Mohamad Katoub, advocacy manager for the Syrian American Medical Society, discuss the deteriorating healthcare situation in Eastern Ghouta. Civil Society Health Fri, 09 Feb 2018 05:00:00 +0000 Fadi Al Dairi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2018/02/09/the-story-of-kfr-nobol-hospital-41-minutes-of-hell https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2018/02/09/the-story-of-kfr-nobol-hospital-41-minutes-of-hell After the first airstrike hit near the hospital, those inside knew they would soon be targeted, writes Fadi Al Dairi, the Syria country director for Hand in Hand. The next 41 minutes were ones of fear. Civil Society Displacement Thu, 01 Feb 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Hashem Osseiran https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2018/02/01/the-humanitarian-crisis-in-syrias-northern-de-escalation-zone https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2018/02/01/the-humanitarian-crisis-in-syrias-northern-de-escalation-zone The government’s ongoing offensive on Idlib province has already displaced thousands of civilians, many of whom previously fled violence in other areas, writes Cole Bockenfeld of the International Rescue Committee. Civil Society Human Rights Fri, 26 Jan 2018 09:20:00 +0000 Alessandria Masi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2018/01/26/syrian-conflict-isnt-over-dont-forget-the-syrians-davos-voices https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2018/01/26/syrian-conflict-isnt-over-dont-forget-the-syrians-davos-voices Syria experts at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos weigh in on what must be done to improve the humanitarian situation and alleviate the impact of war in Syria. Civil Society ISIS Thu, 07 Dec 2017 12:46:40 +0000 Youmna al-Dimashqi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/12/07/conversations-life-as-a-paramedic-during-isis-rule-of-raqqa https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/12/07/conversations-life-as-a-paramedic-during-isis-rule-of-raqqa For medical professionals in ISIS’ former stronghold of Raqqa, trying to save lives meant risking shelling, airstrikes and arrest. Civil Society Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Tue, 28 Nov 2017 13:30:41 +0000 Luna Safwan https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/11/28/opposition-media-activists-face-uncertain-future https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/11/28/opposition-media-activists-face-uncertain-future The war in Syria significantly increased the number of so-called opposition media activists who documented alleged human rights abuses and war crimes. But as pro-government forces regain control of rebel-held territory, they fear for their future. Civil Society Mon, 20 Nov 2017 13:11:49 +0000 Anna Lekas Miller https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/11/20/the-fight-and-plight-of-syrias-female-journalists https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/11/20/the-fight-and-plight-of-syrias-female-journalists The rise of independent Syrian news outlets created more opportunities for women in the media, but many of Syria’s female journalists still face higher security risks than their male colleagues and rampant sexism in the workplace. Civil Society ISIS Mon, 13 Nov 2017 13:31:36 +0000 Karam Alhamad https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/11/13/isis-may-soon-be-defeated-but-terror-continues-in-deir-ezzor https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/11/13/isis-may-soon-be-defeated-but-terror-continues-in-deir-ezzor As ISIS is pushed out of Deir Ezzor, local groups must lead the provision of public services and be given political representation. Failure to do this could lead to a new nationalist movement, writes local activist Karam Alhamad. Civil Society ISIS Wed, 08 Nov 2017 05:00:05 +0000 Alexandra Bradford https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/11/08/women-at-forefront-of-humanitarian-demining-efforts-in-syria https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/11/08/women-at-forefront-of-humanitarian-demining-efforts-in-syria The explosive remnants of war pose a long-term threat to reconstruction and peacebuilding efforts in Syria. Women, however, are playing a notably growing role as humanitarian groups shift their focus to land-mine clearing and risk education. Civil Society Human Rights Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Fri, 27 Oct 2017 13:29:48 +0000 Yasser Allawi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/10/27/inside-rukban-camp-one-of-syrias-most-desperate-settlements https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/10/27/inside-rukban-camp-one-of-syrias-most-desperate-settlements The situation in the Rukban camp for internally displaced persons near the border with Jordan is rapidly deteriorating. International humanitarian groups are close to being overwhelmed, despite local NGOs and rebel groups trying to help out as well. Civil Society ISIS Fri, 20 Oct 2017 06:31:10 +0000 Sarmad Al Jilane https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/10/20/diary-how-i-feel-the-pain-of-beautiful-raqqa https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/10/20/diary-how-i-feel-the-pain-of-beautiful-raqqa Sarmad, a founding member of Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered Silently, initially sought safety from the Assad regime in Raqqa. Ultimately, he ended up risking his life to expose atrocities carried out by the so-called Islamic State in their de facto capital. Civil Society Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Mon, 02 Oct 2017 15:06:04 +0000 Rouba Mhaissen https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/10/02/to-rebuild-syria-civil-society-must-thrive https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/10/02/to-rebuild-syria-civil-society-must-thrive Sidelining Syrian civil society groups in plans for rebuilding the country may lay the groundwork for future violence and unrest, writes activist and development practitioner Rouba Mhaissen. Civil Society Health Thu, 21 Sep 2017 12:41:00 +0000 Mahmoud Mustafa https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/09/21/chronicle-of-care-providing-health-services-for-millions-of-syrians https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/09/21/chronicle-of-care-providing-health-services-for-millions-of-syrians In the first in our series of diary entries from Syrian doctors, Mahmoud Mustafa, director of the Independent Doctors Association, explains how he went from being an eye surgeon in Aleppo to providing emergency care amid attacks, sporadic aid access and exhaustion. Arts & Culture Civil Society Mon, 18 Sep 2017 13:32:01 +0000 Tom Rollins https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/09/18/pixels-of-war-photographing-damascus-from-besieged-rooftops https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/09/18/pixels-of-war-photographing-damascus-from-besieged-rooftops In this installment of ‘Pixels of War,’ our series on Syrian photographers, Faris al-Khattab discusses his view of Damascus from a besieged village in the south of the capital and a looming reconciliation deal in the area. Civil Society Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Thu, 07 Sep 2017 07:38:26 +0000 Wissam Zarqa https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/09/07/looking-for-democracy-in-idlib-diary-entry https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/09/07/looking-for-democracy-in-idlib-diary-entry After being forced to flee eastern Aleppo in December, Wissam Zarqa moved to Idlib. Although the insurgent-held province is not known as a bastion of democracy, Zarqa will always remember it as the place where he voted in his first democratic election. Civil Society Mon, 28 Aug 2017 07:34:05 +0000 Alexandra Bradford https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/08/28/the-syrian-women-saving-lives-as-volunteers-for-the-white-helmets-2 https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/08/28/the-syrian-women-saving-lives-as-volunteers-for-the-white-helmets-2 In Syria, volunteer emergency workers known as the White Helmets risk their lives to save people from bomb sites and airstrikes. At first, the White Helmets were made up only of men, but over the past few years, more than 100 female volunteers have joined their ranks. Civil Society Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs ISIS Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Thu, 20 Jul 2017 08:23:59 +0000 Rao Komar, Hossam Abouzahr, Aaron Stein https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/07/20/how-turkey-is-governing-in-northern-aleppo https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/07/20/how-turkey-is-governing-in-northern-aleppo At the end of major combat operations in Syria’s north, the Turkish government faces many challenges governing areas it now controls. Atlantic Council’s Aaron Stein, Hossam Abouzahr and Rao Komar tracked stabilization projects and violence in Aleppo’s northern countryside. Civil Society Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Wed, 28 Jun 2017 12:06:26 +0000 Henry Hogger https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/06/28/the-international-community-can-help-syrians-rebuild-syria https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/06/28/the-international-community-can-help-syrians-rebuild-syria Former British ambassador to Syria Henry Hogger sees hope for progress in Syria. But what is missing in plans to rebuild the country, he argues, is the involvement of Syrians themselves. Civil Society Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Mon, 26 Jun 2017 13:50:17 +0000 Alex Hopkins https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/06/26/airwars-rise-in-civilian-deaths-from-coalition-strikes-unprecedented https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/06/26/airwars-rise-in-civilian-deaths-from-coalition-strikes-unprecedented Entire families are more frequently being killed in coalition airstrikes in Iraq and Syria, according to Airwars researcher Alex Hopkins. However, he writes in IRIN News, it has become increasingly difficult to determine which party is to blame. Civil Society Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Fri, 23 Jun 2017 10:56:01 +0000 Nawar Oliver, Housen Akoush https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/06/23/analysis-the-battlefield-in-syrias-southernmost-city-daraa https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/06/23/analysis-the-battlefield-in-syrias-southernmost-city-daraa In recent weeks Daraa has witnessed the most intense clashes and aerial bombardments it has seen for years. Despite the plan for “de-escalation zones,” civilians in the city are likely to be caught in the newest battlefield for foreign power proxies and the warring Syrian sides. Civil Society Displacement Tue, 20 Jun 2017 14:19:08 +0000 Lev Plaves, John Kluge https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/06/20/crowdfunding-a-stable-financial-future-for-refugees-and-hosts https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/06/20/crowdfunding-a-stable-financial-future-for-refugees-and-hosts On World Refugee Day, the Alight Fund’s John Kluge and Lev Plaves of the microfinance NGO Kiva explain the limitations facing Syrian refugees regaining their financial footing, and the launch of World Refugee Fund, an initiative crowdfunding loans for refugees. Civil Society ISIS Tue, 06 Jun 2017 12:38:14 +0000 Wisam Franjiyeh https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/06/06/the-life-and-death-of-one-of-syrias-most-beloved-minesweepers https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/06/06/the-life-and-death-of-one-of-syrias-most-beloved-minesweepers Abu al Fadl devoted the final months of his life to clearing al-Bab of improvised explosives left behind by ISIS in everything from washing machines to cooking pots. The 60-year-old destroyed roughly 3,500 mines before one took his life. Civil Society Human Rights Thu, 01 Jun 2017 12:52:45 +0000 Cristina Roca https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/06/01/long-read-how-the-syrian-war-changed-how-war-crimes-are-documented https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/06/01/long-read-how-the-syrian-war-changed-how-war-crimes-are-documented Seven years of war have transformed Syrian monitoring groups into sophisticated investigation centers. But with few options to hold perpetrators of humanitarian law violations accountable, the number of Syrians supplying evidence of human rights violations is dwindling, along with their hope for justice. Civil Society Government & Pro-Government Forces Solutions Thu, 18 May 2017 13:52:01 +0000 Kim Bode https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/05/18/collecting-evidence-of-war-crimes-in-syria https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/05/18/collecting-evidence-of-war-crimes-in-syria Law professor David Crane, who has a record of taking on the prosecution of war criminals, is keeping a detailed record of the events in Syria for future prosecution. His Syrian Accountability Project’s latest report takes a close look at Aleppo. Civil Society Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Solutions Tue, 16 May 2017 11:05:31 +0000 Kim Bode https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/05/16/women-must-be-empowered-to-rebuild-syria-u-n-advisor https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/05/16/women-must-be-empowered-to-rebuild-syria-u-n-advisor The Syrian Women’s Advisory Board wants equal involvement of women and men as part of a peaceful transition for Syria. Board member Sawsan Zakzak made the case to negotiating parties at the latest round of Geneva talks and discussed its importance with News Deeply. Civil Society Displacement Solutions Tue, 09 May 2017 13:26:55 +0000 Didem Tali https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/05/09/syrian-women-have-a-message-drop-earrings-not-bombs https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/05/09/syrian-women-have-a-message-drop-earrings-not-bombs Thanks to a new handcrafts initiative in Istanbul, Syrian refugee women find confidence and artistic expression making earrings, as well as providing extra income for their households. Civil Society Solutions Wed, 03 May 2017 15:19:11 +0000 Kristen Chick https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/05/03/how-to-combat-domestic-violence-among-syrian-refugees-talk-to-men https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/05/03/how-to-combat-domestic-violence-among-syrian-refugees-talk-to-men Domestic violence is reported to have risen sharply among Syrians forced to flee their homeland. While many aid programs target women, some groups in Lebanon are putting new focus on men, hoping to address the problem at the source.