Women reclaiming their future in Syria
For years, Khan Shaykhoun in southern Idlib was known around the world as a symbol of the Syrian war. Right here, Norwegian Church Aid has established a center for women and girls. Everyone we meet carries…
Rebuilding Hope in Taybit Al Imam: Abdulhalim’s Journey to Stability
At 65 years old, Abdulhalim Issa has endured years of uncertainty, loss, and displacement. Living in Taybit Al Imam village in Rural Hama, his life was turned upside down by conflict. Repeated waves of bombings and shelling forced him and his family to flee their home three to four times, seeking safety wherever they could find it.
When Abdulhalim finally returned to Taybit Al Imam, the devastation was overwhelming. His home had been heavily damaged, and everything inside had been looted. Years of hard work had vanished. For Abdulhalim and his family of 12, including his elderly parents, the future seemed uncertain. They had to start again from nothing.
As the sole provider, Abdulhalim faced enormous pressure. With farmland damaged and savings depleted, feeding his family became a daily struggle. Like many farmers in Rural Hama, he needed immediate support to stabilize his household while rebuilding his livelihood.
Through a NORAD-funded Food Security Project implemented in Taybit Al Imam, Abdulhalim became one of 580 farmers supported to restore agricultural production and improve household food security. The project provided four Cash for Food grants and one Cash for Agricultural Inputs grant. This combination of emergency and livelihood assistance proved critical.
The cash-for-food grants allowed Abdulhalim to meet his family’s immediate needs. He was able to purchase essential food items and reduce the stress of daily survival while waiting for his crops to grow. Instead of worrying about how to feed 12 family members each day, he could focus on preparing his land and planning for the next harvest.
The agricultural inputs grant enabled him to invest in seeds, fertilizers, and essential farming supplies. With these resources, he was able to resume cultivation and generate income from his land once again. The assistance did more than provide short-term relief, it restored his ability to support his family with dignity.
“For the first time in years, I felt that I could stand on my feet again,” Abdulhalim shared. “The support gave us food when we needed it most and helped me plant my land again. It gave us hope.”
Today, Abdulhalim’s crops are growing, and with them, his family’s sense of stability. The project not only strengthened food security for his household but also contributed to the recovery of the wider farming community in Taybit Al Imam. By supporting 580 farmers, the intervention helped revive local agricultural production and improve resilience across the village.
Abdulhalim’s story reflects the transformative impact of timely humanitarian assistance that combines emergency support with sustainable livelihood solutions. For his family, the grants meant more than financial support, they represented a renewed opportunity to rebuild, recover, and look toward the future with hope.
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