Medair restores hope in Aleppo

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“Having this door closed brings me a sense of peace. We would never have been able to make these repairs without Medair. I am so grateful for your support,” said Fatina, a 73-year-old resident of Aleppo in response to the assistance she received from Medair.  

Fatina, a 73-year-old resident of Aleppo, has endured a double tragedy in recent months. Following the devastating loss of her husband, she now faces an additional challenge: accessing his hard-earned retirement pension. Despite repeated visits to the relevant office, bureaucratic obstacles continue to thwart her progress. As a result, Fatina and her two disabled children remain without vital financial support.  

During her last visit to the office, Fatina was informed by the clerk that there were more forms to fill out, and that it would be a while before she could receive the money. She was left feeling frustrated and desperate.

Fatina’s children, Najwa (47) and Nader (42) both live with special physical conditions. The family was already living in a precarious situation, residing in a fourth-floor apartment in an old building in Bustan Al Qasr, Aleppo, when their home was further damaged by the earthquake that violently struck Syria and Türkiye on February 6, 2023.  

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"The earthquake devastated our home," Fatina shared with a heavy heart, her eyes welling with tears. “My children are too frail to move, and we have nowhere else to go,” she continued.  

The family's situation is dire, and the catastrophic earthquake left their home fragile. "We rely on charity for food, and we can't afford to fix the damage or even replace the shaking front door, caused by the earthquake," said Fatina, her voice trembling with desperation.

Upon hearing about Fatina's dire conditions, Medair's shelter team immediately offered their support.  

They enrolled her in their shelter rehabilitation program, providing her family with essential repairs to their home. A new front door was installed, along with a replacement window, a bathroom door, and other painting work.

Staring at the newly installed door, a wave of relief washed over Fatina’s face. “This is the first time I feel safe since my husband passed away,” Fatina said, her voice filled with gratitude. “Having this door closed brings me a sense of peace.”  

We would never have been able to make these repairs without Medair. I am so grateful for your support,” she said.

Her daughter added, “I think the house became more beautiful after the paint,” with a delighted smile.  

Fatina and her family are among numerous households in Aleppo that have received support from Medair since the earthquake. House rehabilitation and shelter kit installations are making a significant difference for vulnerable communities and those in need.  

Medair’s initiatives are supported by the generous contributions of donors such as the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), Tearfund, and Chaîne Du Bonheur (CDB).  

Beyond simply offering shelter, together we are fostering hope and ensuring security in the face of profound challenges.

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 Medair’s work in Syria is made possible by, the Tearfund, Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC), Chaîne Du Bonheur (CDB), and generous private donors like you.

This content was produced with resources gathered by Medair field and headquarters staff. The views expressed herein are those solely of Medair and should not be taken, in any way, to reflect the official opinion of any other organization.

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