Lunch & Learn: Inside Syria

On Friday, December 20th at 12.30 (CET), we are excited to host our second virtual edition of Lunch & Learn, with Fadi Al Dairi, Country Director of our Syrian partner organisation Hand in Hand for Aid and Development (HIHFAD). In this session, we’ll get to understand more about the current situation in Syria and what we can expect from the new rulers in Damascus.

After almost 14 years of brutal conflict, the recent fall of the Assad regime, led by the militia Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), has turned a page in Syria’s political environment. This marks the end of more than 50 years of dictatorship but also leaves Syria in a politically vulnerable position. With hundreds of thousands dead and millions displaced, what does this new reality mean for the people of Syria and the future of humanitarian aid?

As one of Syria's leading humanitarian actors, Hand in Hand has been tirelessly working to support the most vulnerable Syrian communities inside Syria, Turkey and in neighbouring countries, employing over 1,200 staff. HIHFAD’s primarily work is the Idlib province in the Northwest of Syria, where HTS has been governing since its establishment in 2017.

Fadi Al Dairi is therefore well-positioned to share firsthand insights on how the situation is currently evolving, and what HTS’s rise to power might mean for Syria.

This is a unique opportunity to hear from one of the key leaders working on the ground in one of the world’s most complex humanitarian crises. Fadi Al Dairi will answer your questions, share his perspective on the changing landscape, and explain how Hand in Hand continues to make a difference every day.

From Syria to Ukraine and South Sudan – Aid Pioneers’s Lunch & Learn talks are an opportunity to gain real insights into the conflict zones shaping today's world.

Join us for this intimate, 30-minute virtual conversation, where we bring you closer to our on-the ground partners: those who truly make a difference every day.

Event details

Date: December 20th
Time: 12:30 - 13:00
Where: Virtual meeting

Secure your spot

Why you won’t want to miss it

• Exclusive access to on-the-ground expertise: Hear from Fadi Al Dairi, Country Director of Hand in Hand for Aid and Development (HIHFAD), a leading humanitarian actor in Syria, as he shares his experiences and perspectives.

• Explore the humanitarian response: Learn about HIHFAD’s impactful work supporting vulnerable Syrian communities through a turbulent political and humanitarian crisis.

• Engage in meaningful dialogue: This is your chance to ask questions and better understand one of the world’s most complex conflict zones directly from a leader on the front lines of humanitarian aid.

Expand your global perspective

Please see below a few selected resources that the Aid Pioneers team recommends in case you want to read up on the history of the conflict, as well as on the current situation in Syria:

• This article highlights the remarkable stories of how evidence of atrocities in Syria reached international courts, including that of Syrian activist Mazen al-Hamada, who documented his torture under the Assad regime. Tragically, he was found dead in Sednaya prison on December 9, 2024. (Read from "The activist" onwards.)

• Ahmad al-Sharaa, better known as Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, is the leader of Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS). This video explains his rise to power and what implications this might have for Syria.

• The Economist’s recent Leader discusses how Syrians might finally take control of their own future, despite potential interference from states like Turkey, Israel, Iran, the UAE, and the USA.