Supporting Syrian Christian family businesses

The conflict in Syria has so far claimed at least 400 000 lives and injured 2 million people. At least half of the country's health infrastructure is in ruins or has been severely damaged. Before the outbreak of armed conflict, the local Christian communities numbered more than two million people. Today, only a few hundred thousand remain. The Christian Hope Centre in Syria runs micro-projects to help Christian families survive and stay in war- and earthquake-ravaged Aleppo. The direct beneficiaries of the project are the managers of family businesses and their immediate families, now numbering around 47. Most of them are craftsmen, tradesmen and car mechanics, but there are also people working in the sectors of textiles, catering and tourism. The programme provides the beneficiaries with equipment and infrastructure to help them restart their businesses and provide income and livelihoods for their families. This is the first step that is necessary to prevent people from abandoning their homes. Hungary actively supports the programme through the Hungary Helps Program. Our support has enabled 47 family businesses in Aleppo to restart, contributing to the livelihoods of these families and strengthening communities.