The Asfari Foundation and the IRC

Our Partnership

Since 2012, the Asfari Foundation has committed itself to bettering the lives of thousands of displaced Syrians across the MENA region. In the last 10 years, they have impacted the lives of 78,923 individuals directly.

The Asfari Foundation has further demonstrated their commitment by galvanizing support amongst their peers. In 2018, they launched a match appeal with the Saïd Foundation and multiple appeal donors raising over £5 million for the Building a Better Tomorrow Project in Lebanon.

Women's Protection and Empowerment clients participate in an education session as part of the Hands Up for Syria project in Jordan.

Photo: IRC

Where we’ve worked with you

Syria

The Asfari Foundation has generously supported Syrian refugee families with emergency cash transfers for internally displaced Syrians in Idlib, and allowed for the purchase of necessary medical equipment such as surgical kits which benefitted up to 800 Syrians.

Jordan

Thanks to the Asfari Foundation’s commitment to the Hands Up for Syria project, the project impacted 37,814 children and young people directly. This was accomplished by bridging the gaps in employment opportunities for young Syrian refugees and Jordanians in their host communities, granting them an active role and voice in the activities that meet their needs. This approach also promoted equitable access to services and economic opportunities, helping to foster inclusiveness and social cohesion within the Greater Amman Municipality.

Lebanon

As part of the Hands Up For Syria project, thanks to the Asfari and Saïd Foundations, the IRC was able to provide 25 Preschool Healing Classrooms for a total of 1,689 children in Bek'a'a and Akkar. These classrooms gave children a safe and positive environment where they could feel safe, and experiment with play-based learning materials. As a result, 92% of children showed improvement in their cognitive and social-emotional skills, and 72 teachers and teaching assistants were trained, increasing livelihood opportunities, and building greater teaching capacity in the communities.

The Asfari Foundation’s current support of the Building a Better Tomorrow project aims to give Syrian refugee children access to educational opportunities whilst tackling the protection-related barriers such as early marriage and child labour. This is achieved by increasing their access to personalised care to support their learning, particularly street connected children with protection support and life skills training.  For young women and girls, we also provide assistance for those at risk of violence in order to create safe and supportive environments for children to learn. As of June 2022, the Building a Better Tomorrow project has generously helped 40,309 individuals directly.

Thank you, Asfari Foundation.

Adolescent girls participate in a Pyschosocial Support session as part of the Women's Protection and Empowerment element of the Building a Better Tomorrow programme.

Photo: Pascale Feghali

1 of 4

A group of young men gather for a photograph after receiving child protection support from the IRC in Tripoli. This would include sessions focused on understanding their legal rights, vocational skills training and personalised one to one sessions with a case worker.

Photo: IRC

2 of 4

This group of women are participating in an activity called ‘Planting Seeds of Hope’in North Lebanon. This activity aims to empower women to build new skills for their futures.

Photo: IRC

3 of 4

Building a Better Tomorrow project clients participate in a parenting skills session in Jabal Beddawi which is designed to reduce parental stress and increase knowledge on positive discipline.

Photo: IRC

4 of 4