A place full of struggles and strength
In the outskirts of Ar-Raqqa, hundreds of families live in makeshift tents, far from their homes and even farther from the lives they once had. Many fled from war, some lost loved ones, and all have lived with uncertainty for years.
Life in Shlash Informal Settlement (IS) isn’t easy. The tents offer little protection against harsh weather. There are no proper schools nor clinics. Work is hard to find, and most families rely on humanitarian aid to survive. Still, the people here carry on with resilience, hope, and quiet strength.
In January 2025, DanChurchAid (DCA) launched a new protection project in Shlash (IS). The goal: to offer safe spaces, Psychosocial support, and basic services for children and adults facing difficult circumstances.
Building Trust with Children
DCA uses two modalities to provide protection assistance, through the Community Safe Space (CSS) in Ar-Raqqa City and Semi-Static (utilizing tents and mud houses) safe space in the IS. Under large tents, DCA’s Protection Team meets with children each week. These sessions are more than just play; they’re designed to help the children come together in a safe space dedicated to them, learn how to express themselves, and understand their emotions.
Children are grouped by age, and each group follows a program lasting about two and a half months. The younger ones (6–8) learn basic life skills such as identifying trusted people for support, speaking and listening with kindness, and finding simple ways to solve everyday problems. Children also learn how to understand their emotions, express them in a healthy way, and recognize the importance of having safe, calm spaces where they feel protected. For the middle age groups (13–17), the sessions focus on helping children understand the difference between violence and peace, how to talk about their emotions, and how to cope with fear or stress during difficult times. They also learn where to find help, who they can trust, and how to stay safe in their community. Teenagers focus on building emotional strength and important life skills. They learn how to communicate clearly, understand and manage their emotions, identify supportive adults in their lives, understand the role of caregivers, and build healthy relationships with friends and peers. By creating a friendly, respectful space, these sessions help children feel heard and less alone.
A PSS session for adolescents in Shlash IS, June 15th, 2025
Helping Adults Make Informed Choices
Alongside the work with children, DCA holds awareness raising sessions for adults. These sessions focus on everyday challenges in the IS: how to deal with stress, early marriage, positive parenting, and domestic violence. Participants share experiences, learn from each other, and get practical tips they can use in daily life
Individual Support When It’s Needed Most
Some people need more than group support. That’s why DCA offers case management services including internal and external referral (based on specific needs and services available) to the most vulnerable, targeting General Protection and Child Protection cases.
Creativity as a Form of self-expression
In the heart of the IS, you can hear music and laughter. That’s where the art and music sessions take place. These creative activities are open to teenage boys and girls (13-17 years), giving them a space to express themselves, feel joy, and simply be kids again. Each participant attends three sessions a week, for eight weeks. Followed by a graduation ceremony to celebrate the closure of the activity.
The music sessions are very good, we enjoy listening and playing. It’s exciting16-year-old Yamama
Real Results, Real Impact
Between January and April 2025, DCA’s protection work in Shlash reached:
- 450 children aged between 6–17 (210 Male – 240 Female) through psychosocial support.
- 520 adults (160 Male – 360 Female) through awareness sessions.
- 55 people (3 Male – 27 Female) for adults and (12 Male – 13 Female) for children through individual case management.
- 320 adolescents Music (80 Male – 80 Female) and Art (73 Male – 87 Female) through music and art activities.
These efforts are helping people connect, learn new skills, and rebuild a sense of safety and belonging.
In a place marked by hardship, DCA’s work is bringing dignity back one session, one story, one person at a time.
About the project
Full title: Enhancing the protection, resilience and dignity of communities affected by conflict in Northeast Syria (NES)
Period: September 2024 to June 2025
Partner: Amal Organization for Relief and Development and RMCO Organization
Amount: 5,000,000 DKK
Number of people reached by end of project: 14,000+
Donor: DANIDA
