Syria Rises: A Future We Build Today
Launching the Rehabilitation of Maarrat al-Nu’man National Hospital and Surrounding Health Centers
On Sunday, June 29, 2025, a major milestone in Syria’s recovery journey was marked with the official inauguration of the rehabilitation works at Maarrat al-Nu’man National Hospital and five surrounding primary healthcare centers in Idlib. Organized by Hand in Hand for Aid and Development (HiHFAD), under the patronage of the Syrian Ministry of Health and with strategic support from the Aid Fund for Syria (AFS), the event celebrated a bold step toward restoring dignity, health, and hope to more than 700,000 people in northern Syria.
The initiative, part of the project titled “Restoring Healthcare Access for Returnees in Southern Idlib,” involves the rehabilitation and equipping of six facilities: Maarrat al-Nu’man, Saraqeb, Maasaran, Maar Dibsi, Afes, and Deir Sharqi. The intervention not only enhances infrastructure—including WASH systems, emergency units, and pediatric and obstetric departments—but also improves road access and creates cash-for-work opportunities, engaging local communities in the reconstruction effort.
A Ceremony Rooted in Resilience
The event was graced by high-level dignitaries, including:
- Dr. Musab Al-Ali, Syrian Minister of Health
- Mr. Mohammad Abdulrahman, Governor of Idlib
- Senior and field management teams of Hand in Hand for Aid and Development
- Ms. Ola Batta, Partnerships and Delivery Unit – Programme Lead at Aid Fund for Syria (AFS), along with a high-level delegation
- Mr. Adam Abdelmoula, UN Resident Coordinator in Syria
- Mr. Joseph Inganji, Head of OCHA Syria
- Dr. Cristina Piketty, Head of WHO Syria Office
- Ms. Mertxe Rellano, UNICEF Representative in Syria
Alongside a notable group of respected officials and representatives, humanitarian partners, media agencies, and community leaders also gathered to commemorate this transformative moment under the theme #SyriaRises: A Future We Build Today, and the slogan: “A National Step Toward Recovery and Prosperity.”
In his keynote remarks, Mr. Faddy Sahloul, HiHFAD’s Founder and CEO, stated:
“Our primary mission is to help displaced Syrians return home safely. With the collective will of government institutions, partners, and communities, reconstruction is not only possible—it is inevitable.”
Dr. Musab Al-Ali added:
“Syria is rising. Together, we will rebuild what has been destroyed—especially our healthcare system.”
From Response to Recovery
The event highlighted HiHFAD’s strategic shift from emergency response to early recovery. As Mr. Fadi Al-Dairi, HiHFAD’s Regional Director, noted:
“Our vision for the next phase is to build people—through capacity, dignity, and sustainable services.”
A side visit to HiHFAD’s warehouses at Bab al-Hawa offered insight into the organization’s advanced logistics and medical storage systems, featuring barcoding and quality assurance procedures that ensure efficiency and transparency in delivery.
This milestone would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of HiHFAD’s staff—across planning, logistics, media, and field operations. To everyone who worked behind the scenes:
You are the unseen heroes of Syria’s recovery journey.
As we reopen the doors of healthcare and hope in this region, we reaffirm our collective commitment: Together, we rise. Together, we rebuild.
