Like a Phoenix rising from its ashes, stories from post-conflict zones reveal daily struggles and extraordinary resilience. Twelve managers from leading humanitarian organisations share their experiences supporting populations affected by the prolonged Syrian conflict. Their stories highlight post-conflict challenges and the collaborative spirit planting the seeds of self-reliant futures.
Produced by Ruth Holroyd. Hosted by Professor Martin Spinelli of the University of Sussex School of Media, Arts & Humanities. Executive Producer Dr Mirela Barbu of the University of Sussex Business School.
The Team
Ruth Holroyd, Prof Martin Spinelli and Dr Mirela Barbu
Dr Ahmad Nabhan
From Dependence to Independence
Dr. Ahmad Nabhan discusses Care International’s efforts in northwest Syria to provide immediate humanitarian aid while fostering long-term resilience, especially for marginalised groups. He highlights the wheat value chain project, which supports farmers with resources and training to restore food security and economic stability. Major challenges include instability, weak governance, and the difficulty of sustainable planning, but he emphasises the need for climate-smart agriculture and cross-sector collaboration. Ahmad remains optimistic that with resources and strategic support, Syria can achieve sustainability within five years. His core message is about transitioning communities from aid dependence to independence through resilience-building and sustainable development.
Dr Anas Alkaddour
Strength in Culture
Dr. Anas Alkaddour discusses Global Communities’ efforts in Syria, focusing on sustainable development, resilience, and humanitarian aid. He highlights challenges such as security risks, funding limitations, and infrastructure damage while emphasising projects like biogas programs that empower women and support livelihoods. Sustainability, for him, means enabling communities to become self-sufficient through economic opportunities, local governance, and agricultural development. He urges NGOs and donors to balance emergency relief with long-term rehabilitation efforts. Despite the difficulties, he remains hopeful that Syrian culture and community collaboration will drive recovery and lasting social cohesion.
Ayham Alhuseen
Optimism Amidst Fear
Ayham Alhuseen, a Syrian activist and researcher, focuses on building a better future for Syria through conflict resolution, sustainable development, and community empowerment. He highlights challenges such as the legacy of violence, lack of stable governance, and the difficulty of promoting long-term solutions when people struggle with immediate survival. His work includes projects like microgrids, which use shared solar energy to provide water and electricity, and arbitration committees to resolve legal disputes outside unreliable official channels. He emphasises the importance of clear communication with beneficiaries and involving local communities in project design for sustainability. Despite the challenges, Ayham remains optimistic that once political obstacles are resolved, Syrians will rapidly rebuild their country.
Aylin Shan
Dignity in Survival
Aylin discusses the profound changes in Syria following the fall of the Assad regime, highlighting increased access to markets and shifting economic dynamics. She emphasises the severe challenges faced by displaced populations, including lack of infrastructure, security risks, and dependence on humanitarian aid, while advocating for long-term resilience and self-sufficiency. Aylin shares stories of individuals like Fatima and Mohammed, who, despite hardships, strive for financial independence through livelihood programs. She underscores the importance of sustainability, adaptability, and systemic approaches in humanitarian efforts, advocating for stronger international support. Ultimately, she stresses that aid should go beyond survival, focusing on restoring dignity and empowering communities to rebuild their futures.
Joseph Chalhoub
Invest in Syria
Joseph stresses the urgency of investing in Syria immediately, arguing that delays will only worsen food insecurity and economic instability. He highlights the severe challenges in post-conflict Syria, where many families are on the brink of famine and forced into desperate survival measures, including child exploitation and even suicide. He advocates for a shift away from short-term food aid toward rebuilding agricultural infrastructure, climate-smart farming, and sustainable food systems to ensure long-term resilience. Joseph also emphasises the importance of coordinated efforts among NGOs, governments, and academic institutions, urging a data-driven approach to maximise impact. His core message is that sustainable recovery requires immediate, well-planned investment and collaboration to rebuild Syria’s food security and livelihoods.
Kate Robertson
Rescuing Academia
Kate explains that Cara’s mission is to rescue academics at risk due to political persecution or conflict, bringing them to the UK for sanctuary and career support. She highlights the significant challenges academics face, including being trapped in conflict zones, struggling to relocate, and lacking institutional support in host countries like Turkey. Beyond rescuing individuals, Cara also works to sustain higher education in fragile regions, connecting displaced academics with UK universities and supporting emerging institutions in Syria. Kate shares success stories like Ahmed, a Syrian scholar who, with Cara’s help, transitioned from displacement to a prestigious academic role at Oxford. She passionately argues that international efforts have neglected higher education, emphasising its critical role in rebuilding war-torn societies and ensuring a future for Syria’s next generation.
Dr Muhanned Malandi
Resilience for Prosperity
Dr. Muhanned Malandi emphasises the importance of integrating immediate relief with long-term recovery to help conflict-affected communities rebuild their lives with dignity. He highlights key challenges, including the need for sustainable funding, operating in conflict zones, and rehabilitating damaged infrastructure. He shares a success story of a livestock breeder, Najib, who benefited from hydroponic farming and mobile veterinary services, ultimately becoming a model for sustainable agriculture. Muhanned discusses initiatives such as women-led savings and loan associations, agricultural development, and disaster risk management to enhance self-reliance and resilience. His central message is that resilience is the foundation of recovery, and while Syria has resources, knowledge, and capacity, international support is still crucial for sustainable progress.
Nellie Soudah
Giving a Voice to the People
Nellie Soudah, program director at People in Need, focuses on empowering vulnerable communities, particularly women, by building resilience and promoting sustainable livelihoods. She shares the story of a widow who, with support from their programs, learned to produce and sell homemade shampoo and soap, gaining financial independence. Nellie emphasises the importance of self-help groups where women pool resources, make collective financial decisions, and support each other in starting small businesses. She highlights major projects, including housing initiatives for widows after the 2023 earthquake and sustainable water solutions for displaced communities. Her core message is that sustainability requires security, rule of law, and long-term investment, and she advocates for greater local involvement in shaping aid and development efforts.
Dr Omar Atik
Don’t Forget About Syria
Dr. Omar Atik, head of programs at Shafak, emphasises the need for sustained international support to help Syria rebuild after years of conflict. He highlights the story of Mustafa, a disabled farmer who, with Shafak’s assistance, received agricultural inputs, training, and business support, allowing him to provide for his family and reinvest in his land. Omar stresses the importance of transitioning from emergency aid to sustainable, community-based solutions, including food security, education, and gender-based violence prevention. He advocates for smart agricultural practices, renewable energy, and infrastructure redevelopment to ensure long-term stability. His central message is that Syria has the potential and human capacity to rebuild, but international funding and collaboration are crucial for lasting recovery.
Osama Alkhalaf
Changing Our Mentality
Osama Alkhalaf, an agronomist and humanitarian worker, emphasises the need for both immediate emergency aid and long-term sustainability in Syria. He shares the story of Mahmud Al Bader, a farmer who, with NGO support, transitioned from food assistance dependency to cultivating his own land, highlighting the importance of restoring productive assets. Osama stresses the need to rehabilitate essential infrastructure like silos, irrigation systems, and bakeries to promote economic recovery. He advocates for climate-smart agriculture, empowering women in food production, and creating sustainable value chains to build resilience. His core message is that Syrians must change their mentality, cooperate, and work collectively to rebuild the country and ensure lasting stability.
Dr Shaher Abdullateef
Power in Syrian Knowledge
Dr. Shaher Abdullateef, co-founder of Syrian Academic Expertise (SAE), emphasises the need to shift from humanitarian aid to sustainable development in Syria. He highlights the success story of Ahmad, a farmer who pioneered hydroponic agriculture in northwest Syria, allowing him to feed his family and become a trainer for others. Shaher stresses the importance of research-driven solutions, focusing on food security, climate adaptation, and biodiversity preservation, including deforestation studies and Buffalo farming. He advocates for increased investment in higher education, research centers, and Syrian-led initiatives to build long-term resilience. His core message is that Syria must move beyond survival towards empowerment, using local expertise and scientific knowledge to drive sustainable recovery.
Yousef Rakkad
We Want to Go Home
Yousef Rakkad, a humanitarian worker with Goal, emphasises the importance of transitioning from crisis response to resilience by strengthening local economies and self-reliance. He shares the story of a widow in a displacement camp who, with a $500 grant, started a food processing business, eventually becoming financially independent. Yousef highlights the challenges of humanitarian work in Syria, including funding cuts, insecurity, and intentional targeting of aid workers. He stresses the need for better coordination among NGOs, advocating for sustainable, long-term solutions rather than temporary relief. His core message is that Syrians are resilient and must be empowered to rebuild their communities and regain access to their homes.