Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives’ Cash Assistance Offers Hope and Resilience to Earthquake Affected Families in Aleppo
With over 8 million people affected by the February earthquakes, UNHCR Syria’s cash assistance promotes self-sufficiency by allowing the families to prioritize their most urgent needs.
By Zeineb Marzouk
After being forced to leave his house in the Al Miassar neighborhood of Aleppo, as a result of the February 2023 earthquake, as it was no longer safe, 48-year-old Mohammad Naief Kala had to stay at his daughter’s house before eventually returning to his damaged house to repair its cracked walls.
That was the second time he found himself displaced, the first time being from the crisis that affected the country. The story of Mohammad is one of thousands of people who were left struggling to survive in the aftermath of the February 2023 earthquake, desperately in need of support and assistance to rebuild their lives.
The devastating earthquake that struck Syria left families in ruins – both physically and emotionally. Homes were destroyed, businesses collapsed, and lives were shattered. The earthquake not only took away their possessions but also their sense of stability.
In response to the urgent need for assistance, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in Syria stepped up to support earthquake-affected families and help them rebuild their lives in Aleppo, Latakia and Hama through cash assistance thanks to the generous funding from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI). Through MBRGI’s contribution, UNHCR has reached thousands of households affected by the earthquakes enabling them to secure their immediate needs such as food. MBRGI’s commitment to humanitarian aid has made a tangible difference in the lives of those affected, offering a glimmer of hope amid darkness.
UNHCR Syria’s cash assistance aims to provide vulnerable families with the financial support they need to meet their immediate needs. By putting cash directly into the hands of those affected, it empowers families to make their own decisions. This approach not only provides a sense of dignity but also allows families to allocate the funds according to their individual circumstances and priorities.
With the financial assistance received, Syrian families have been able to secure their essential needs including food, rebuild their homes, and regain a sense of normalcy.
For Mohammad, the cash assistance was the only assistance he received after the earthquake. Relying merely on his meagre pension, he would not have been able to meet his family’s needs due to the skyrocketing prices in the market.
MBRGI’s humanitarian efforts and generous contribution have increased the effectiveness of UNHCR’s efforts and provided a lifeline to families struggling to recover and rebuild. This partnership is a prominent example of solidarity and generosity to support people forced to flee.