Syria – John Janney Foundation

Posted on November 2, 2025March 17, 2026 by johnjanney

Baitulmaal Delivers Back-to-School Kits to 500 Vulnerable Children in Syria

IDLEB, SYRIA, November 2, 2025 — Baitulmaal, a Dallas-based international humanitarian nonprofit, recently distributed essential back-to-school kits to 500 vulnerable children across northwest Syria.

According to Ahmed Sherif, Senior Manager of International Programs at Baitulmaal, the kits include clothes, school backpacks, shoes, pens, notebooks, and other essential supplies that help improve children’s school attendance.

In addition to school supplies, children also received psychosocial support to help them return to the classroom with confidence and a sense of safety. Through guided activities and recreational sessions, the program helped children rebuild emotional resilience, strengthen social connections, and ease their transition back into learning after years of displacement and hardship.

“When you hand a child a backpack and see them hold it tightly to their chest, you realize it means so much more than school supplies,” said Sherif. “For many of these children, it’s the first moment in a long time that they feel hopeful about tomorrow.”

This project aims to address both the immediate and long-term barriers preventing children from returning to school. Many families returning from displacement camps cannot afford basic school supplies or clothing, leaving children without backpacks, books, or proper shoes. In addition, many schools remain under-resourced and lack child-friendly learning spaces. The lasting psychological impact of conflict and displacement also continues to affect children’s ability to learn and thrive in the classroom.

According to UNICEF, more than 2.4 million children in Syria are currently out of school, with many more at risk of dropping out due to poverty and displacement.

In addition to distributing back-to-school kits to children in Syria, Baitulmaal has also provided Ramadan food packages, fresh meat for Udhiyah, delivered hygiene kits and water supplies, and provided emergency aid to families in Syria. To learn more about or contribute to these efforts, visit johnjanney.org/.

Baitulmaal is an international humanitarian aid organization that provides life-saving, life-sustaining and life-enriching aid to people in need around the world. With headquarters in Texas, the charity has domestic offices in California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan and New Jersey as well as international offices in Europe, Africa, South Asia and the Middle East.

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Posted on March 8, 2025 by johnjanney

Baitulmaal Delivers Food for 400K+ Ramadan Meals to Displaced Families in Syria

AZAZ, SYRIA March 8, 2025 — Baitulmaal, a Dallas-based international humanitarian nonprofit, recently completed the distribution of food packages that provided 446,400 meals to displaced Syrian families living in refugee camps in time for the Ramadan season.

Approximately 1,200 families each received essential food packages containing staples such as rice, milk, lentils, canned goods and cooking oil.

According to Ahmed Sherif, senior manager of international programs at Baitulmaal, most of the beneficiaries were displaced Syrian orphans, widows, women, and children living in Sarmada, Atma and Azaz.

“As we share meals with these families this Ramadan, we are reminded that hope and compassion are as essential as food itself,” Sherif said.

According to the World Food Programme, nearly 90 percent of the population in northwest Syria lives below the poverty line, and over 70 percent rely on humanitarian aid for food.

In addition to providing Ramadan food packages, Baitulmaal has also provided fresh meat for Udhiyah, delivered more than $5.35 million in medical aid, delivered hygiene kits and water supplies, and provided emergency aid to families in Syria. To learn more about or contribute to these efforts, visit johnjanney.org/.

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Posted on July 3, 2024March 17, 2026 by johnjanney

Fresh Meat for 5.3K Meals Distributed to Displaced Families in Syria

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ALEPPO, SYRIA July 3, 2024 — Baitulmaal, a Dallas-based international humanitarian nonprofit, recently distributed fresh meat for 5,360 meals to displaced families in Syria as part of the Islamic season of Udhiyah.

Approximately 965 families living in Aleppo, Idlib, and several camps received fresh meat from locally-sourced and humanely-slaughtered sheep.

The beneficiaries included many orphans and displaced families, according to Elora Bashir, program operations manager at Baitulmaal.

“It’s not every day that families in Syria get to enjoy fresh meat with their meals,” said Bashir. “Baitulmaal donors made this possible for many families this Eid.”

According to UNICEF, thirteen years of conflict in Syria has left 15.3 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, including 7 million children. Of the country’s 6.8 million internally displaced people, 5.3 million require humanitarian support, including food assistance.

In addition to providing fresh meat for Udhiyah, Baitulmaal has also provided Ramadan food packages, delivered more than $5.35 million in medical aid, delivered hygiene kits and water supplies, and provided emergency aid to families in Syria. To learn more about or contribute to these efforts, visit johnjanney.org/.

Baitulmaal is an international humanitarian aid organization that provides life-saving, life-sustaining and life-enriching aid to people in need around the world. With headquarters in Texas, the charity has domestic offices and representatives in California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan and New Jersey as well as international offices in Europe, Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East.

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Posted on May 3, 2024March 18, 2026 by johnjanney

Displaced Syrian Families Receive Food for 441.9K Ramadan Meals

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IDLIB, SYRIA May 3, 2024 — Baitulmaal, a Dallas-based international humanitarian nonprofit, recently distributed food packages that provided 441,900 meals to displaced Syrian families in Turkiye and Turkish-controlled northern Syria in time for the Ramadan season.

Food packages containing items such as rice, sugar, lentils, pasta, flour, dates, and cooking oil helped provide daily Ramadan meals to approximately 1,300 displaced families.

According to Elora Bashir, program operations manager at Baitulmaal, most of the beneficiaries were displaced Syrian orphans and their caregiver families living in refugee camps in Azaz, Idlib, Tal Abyad, and Urfa.

“Many families continue to feel the impact of the devastating earthquakes that struck the region last year,” Bashir said. “This Ramadan, we wanted to ensure that families caring for vulnerable orphans had enough food during this month of compassion.”

According to the World Food Programme, Syria remains among the ten countries with the highest number of hungry people globally. It is estimated that 12.9 million Syrians – more than half the population – are in the grip of hunger in 2024. Another 2.6 million are at risk of becoming food insecure.

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Posted on September 19, 2023March 18, 2026 by johnjanney

Displaced Syrian Families Receive Food for 195,300 Meals

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IDLIB, SYRIA September 19, 2023 – Baitulmaal, a Dallas-based international humanitarian nonprofit, recently delivered food packages for 195,300 meals to displaced Syrian families.

Approximately 350 families received food packages that included items such as cooking oil, rice, flour, lentils and canned goods. Beneficiaries lived in three camps and two communities in Maa’raat Masrin in northern Syria.

According to Elizabeth Sohail, program development manager at Baitulmaal, most of these camps were established after displacement waves in early 2020 and were impacted by massive earthquakes earlier this year.

“These families live in extreme poverty and struggle with hunger on a routine basis,” said Sohail. “Every day without food is an emergency. Thanks to generous donors, vulnerable families had enough food supplies to help alleviate hunger in these difficult times.”

Ongoing conflict has displaced more than 6.7 million people — including 2.5 million children — within Syria. Another 6.6 million Syrians live as refugees in neighboring countries such as Lebanon, Jordan and Turkiye. According to the UN, Syria is among the 10 most food insecure countries globally, with a staggering 12 million people considered to be food insecure.

Baitulmaal has been on the ground in northwest Syria delivering food, rebuilding schools, completing water access projects, and responding to emergencies including the recent earthquakes. Hospitals and clinics in northern Syria were among the recipients of a $5.35M medical aid shipment. To learn more about or contribute to these efforts, visit johnjanney.org/.

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Posted on August 15, 2023March 17, 2026 by johnjanney

1,671 Displaced Syrians Receive Hygiene, Water Supplies

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IDLIB, SYRIA August 15, 2023 – Baitulmaal, a Dallas-based international humanitarian nonprofit, recently provided hygiene kits and clean water access to 1,671 displaced Syrians.

Approximately 400 families living in Kafr Yahmoon, Khazzan Camp, Zaitoun Camp and Maarshurin in northern Syria benefited from the aid. Hygiene kits contained essential items such as soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, diapers, and other personal hygiene products. Each family also received access to 5 barrels of clean water.

According to Elizabeth Sohail, program development manager at Baitulmaal, the beneficiaries were impacted by earthquakes that struck Turkiye and Syria earlier this year, leaving already struggling families at risk.

“Syrian families are living in precarious situations without access to basic needs like water and sanitation,” Sohail said. “This has led to a high risk of waterborne disease and other health issues. These aid deliveries are essential to improving the health and well-being of vulnerable families.”

Syrians have been facing ongoing conflict in addition to natural disasters in recent years. Since 2011, more than 6 million Syrians have fled the country and 6.7 million are internally displaced

According to the UN, 14.6 million people need humanitarian assistance in 2022, an increase of 1.2 million from 2021. The recent earthquake displaced families yet again and left them struggling to access food, water, and other basic needs.

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Posted on July 21, 2023March 18, 2026 by johnjanney

Fresh Meat for 13,750 Meals Distributed in Syria

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ALEPPO, SYRIA July 21, 2023 — Baitulmaal, a Dallas-based international humanitarian nonprofit, recently distributed fresh meat for 13,750 meals to impoverished families in Syria as part of the Islamic season of Udhiyah.

Approximately 2,750 families living in Aleppo, Idlib, and Tal Abyad were given fresh meat from locally-sourced and humanely-slaughtered sheep.

The beneficiaries included women-headed households, low-income families, and elderly people, according to Elizabeth Sohail, program development manager at Baitulmaal.

“Syrian people have endured many hardships due to internal conflicts,” said Sohail. “Our donors were able to help them celebrate Eid with fresh meat.”

According to UNICEF, more than 6.5 million Syrian children are in need of assistance, many of these include orphans.

In addition to seasonal Islamic giving programs, Baitulmaal coordinates emergency aid efforts, water, hygiene and sanitation projects, orphan support programs and other humanitarian aid to under-served populations regardless of faith or nationality. To learn more or donate to these programs, visit johnjanney.org/.

Baitulmaal is an international humanitarian aid organization that provides life-saving, life-sustaining and life-enriching aid to people in need around the world. With headquarters in Texas, the charity has domestic offices and representatives in California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan and New Jersey as well as international offices in Europe, Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East.

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Posted on May 22, 2023March 17, 2026 by johnjanney

Food for More Than 100,000 Ramadan Meals Distributed in Turkiye and Northern Syria

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SANLIURFA, TURKIYE May 22, 2023 — Baitulmaal, a Dallas-based international humanitarian nonprofit, recently distributed food packages that provided 104,160 meals to families in Turkiye and northern Syria in time for the Ramadan season.

Food packages containing items such as rice, lentils, beans, pasta, canned goods, dates and cooking oil helped provide daily Ramadan meals to approximately 1,736 individuals. According to Elizabeth Sohail, program development manager at Baitulmaal, the majority of recipients were displaced Syrian orphans and their caregiver families living in refugee camps in Sanliurfa, Turkiye and Tell Abyad, Syria.

“So many families that were impacted by the recent earthquakes in the region were already struggling with hunger and poverty,” Sohail said. “With Ramadan a few weeks after this tragedy, we wanted to ensure that families caring for vulnerable orphans had enough food during this month of compassion.”

Turkiye and northern Syria were hit by multiple deadly earthquakes this past February, leaving thousands dead and millions more displaced. Baitulmaal immediately mobilized an emergency response and continued to help impacted orphan families through this tragedy.

This Ramadan, Baitulmaal delivered food packages for more than 3.6 million meals worldwide. To learn more about or contribute to these efforts, visit johnjanney.org/.

Baitulmaal is an international humanitarian aid organization that provides life-saving, life-sustaining and life-enriching aid to people in need around the world. With headquarters in Texas, the charity has domestic offices and representatives in California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan and New Jersey as well as international offices in Africa, South Asia and the Middle East.

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Posted on May 11, 2023March 18, 2026 by johnjanney

Displaced Syrian Families Receive 143,220 Meals in Ramadan

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IDLIB, SYRIA May 11, 2023 — Baitulmaal, a Dallas-based international humanitarian nonprofit, recently distributed food packages that provided 143,220 meals to displaced Syrian families in time for the Ramadan fasting season.

Families living in tent settlements in Ma’arat Masrin in Syria’s northern countryside received the food packages. The packages contained items such as flour, sugar, oil, rice, lentils, chickpeas and canned goods that will help feed a family during the holy month.

Baitulmaal has been on the ground in Turkiye-controlled northern Syria mobilizing aid to survivors of the deadly earthquakes that rocked the region less than two months before Ramadan. In addition to food, clothing and medical supplies, Baitulmaal has been improving access to water and sanitation in Syria and bringing hope through education.

This Ramadan, Baitulmaal delivered food packages for more than 3.6 million meals worldwide. To learn more about or contribute to these efforts, visit johnjanney.org/.

Baitulmaal is an international humanitarian aid organization that provides life-saving, life-sustaining and life-enriching aid to people in need around the world. With headquarters in Texas, the charity has domestic offices and representatives in California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan and New Jersey as well as international offices in Africa, South Asia and the Middle East.

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Posted on May 4, 2023March 17, 2026 by johnjanney

Food Packages Distributed to More Than 12.8K Earthquake Survivors in Syria

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ALEPPO, SYRIA May 4, 2023 – Baitulmaal, a Dallas-based international humanitarian nonprofit, recently distributed food packages to more than 12,800 earthquake survivors in Syria.

According to Elora Bashir, program operations manager at Baitulmaal, the beneficiaries included 2,570 vulnerable Syrian households who have been displaced due to the earthquake, especially communities in hard-to-reach areas.

“Many families in Aleppo and Latakia were displaced from their homes due to the earthquake,” Bashir said. “Our team prioritized these families to ensure they received essential food assistance during these trying times.”

The World Food Programme estimates that 12.9 million Syrians – more than half the population – are in the grip of hunger, and the series of earthquakes have only exacerbated the brutal socioeconomic conditions many families face.

Baitulmaal immediately responded to the earthquakes that struck Turkiye and northern Syria earlier this year. Baitulmaal has been on the ground in northwest Syria delivering food, and responding to emergencies including the recent earthquakes. Hospitals and clinics in northern Syria were among the recipients of a $5.35M medical aid shipment. To learn more about or contribute to these efforts, visit johnjanney.org/.

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