Syrian Refugee Relief Fund

The Syrian Refugee Relief Fund was borne out of foreign correspond and co-founder Will Wintercross's experience covering the war in Syria. Initially, the charity helped support the very real result of war, primarily being people who’d lost limbs or were orphans. When it seemed that the former dictator had won, our focus switched to education as millions of children had been out of education for years.

Being a small charity, our intervention was modest by comparison to the need, and we began supporting Al Amal (meaning The Hope) in Mahmoudli refugee camp in eastern Syria. We provided and still provide all the funding to the school, which at its peak had 980 children in it. Now that the dictator who ran the country has been exiled, it has allowed some children to return home from the camp, and the school now educates about 500 children. This has freed up some budget, so we are now opening a secondary school in the camp. In addition to this school, we’ve provided support to two other schools by replacing the tent classrooms with prefabricated ones, and we are currently renovating a much bigger school for 600 children. Our goal and mission is to keep on expanding our support to schools as we believe that every child should have access to education.

Our programmes empower Syrian refugee children by restoring access to education, providing care for orphans in northern Syria, and supporting disabled children in Turkey impacted by conflict. Click below to learn more and join us in making a meaningful difference in their lives.

EMPOWERING EDUCATION IN RAQQA: A LIFELINE FOR CHILDREN IN NEED

The absence of schools in the Raqqa area and further afield has left many children without proper education. For this reason, there is a very visible and urgent need for educational support and for funding to enable children to obtain their right to a proper education.

Since 2022, the SRRF has committed to funding the Mahmoudli Camp Formal Primary School – providing formal education for over 950 children until summer 2025. As well as providing; teaching, administrative support and the maintenance of classrooms, our funding will also enable the school to connect to a sustainable sources of both water and electricity. In Sept 2024, we replaced 4 out of 11 tents that were being used as classrooms with pre-fabricated units that make for a much more comfortable learning experience as in the summer it gets to over 40 degrees Celsius and in winter it drops below freezing.

RESTORING CHILDHOODS: VITAL SUPPORT FOR ORPHANS

With no family to rely on and in desperate need of assistance, thousands of Syrian children have been forced to flee their homes without their parents. Some, astonishingly as young as nine, now bear the full responsibility of caring for their younger siblings, navigating a world that no child should face alone.

Others find themselves under the care of elderly grandparents struggling with limited resources, or with compassionate neighbours who, despite their own hardships, have opened their doors. These caregivers often have minimal means, making it difficult to provide even the basic necessities for these orphaned children.

Our Orphan Sponsorship Programme aims to bridge this gap, offering essential support to ensure that these vulnerable children receive what they need to survive and grow. The programme covers all aspects of critical care, providing food to nourish, healthcare to protect, and education to empower. Each month, our distribution centre in northern Syria delivers this assistance, adapting to the ever-changing conditions on the ground to reach as many children as possible.

REBUILDING LIVES AND SUPPORTING CHILD SURVIVORS OF WAR

Conflict-affected areas are where children often bear the harshest impacts of war, enduring severe injuries that change their lives forever. In Turkey, we provide vital support to young survivors who have lost limbs or suffered other life-altering injuries. These children face unique daily challenges, while their families struggle with the extra financial strain of specialised medications and mobility aids.

Our organisation steps in to alleviate these burdens, offering financial assistance and support to ensure children receive essential resources.

Through monthly allowances and tailored aid, we help families access the medical care, educational support, and everyday necessities their children need. This support enables parents and carers to prioritise their children’s wellbeing, helping them avoid impossible financial choices.

After war and natural disasters, children are often left with lifelong physical and emotional scars. By partnering with local communities and carers, we provide a network of support that helps each child adapt to their unique challenges. From infants injured before they could walk to adolescents striving to regain independence, our organisation stands beside them as they build brighter futures.