Damascus, Syria
Damascus, capital city of Syria, has a population of 18 million. Yet in 2023, Damascus still remains in a war zone, with much destruction and poverty for those who have chosen to remain.
The conflict began in 2011 as a peaceful uprising against President Bashar al-Assad’s government but quickly escalated into a civil war that has caused immense suffering for the Syrian people. While the situation has evolved over the years, with various military and political groups gaining and losing ground, there is still ongoing fighting and violence in many parts of the country.
In September 2021, the Syrian government, backed by Russia and Iran, still controlled much of the country, while rebel groups and opposition forces held other areas. There were also still ongoing conflicts between different factions, as well as clashes with ISIS and other extremist groups. The war has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people, displacement of millions, and significant destruction of infrastructure and cultural heritage sites. While some peace talks and ceasefires have been attempted over the years, a lasting resolution to the conflict has yet to be achieved
Update 2021
We have ceased all operations in Syria.
Pictured above is Sister Joseph-Marie with her team helping in Damascus.
Coalesce International has partnered with Dr Alhatem and Nadia Haddad (based in San Jose, California; they have immediate family in Damascus). Sister Joseph-Marie is based in Damascus, Syria. We will deliver much needed basic necessities (e.g., medicine, clothing, water and food), as well as assistance with daily life’s expenses (e.g., medical facility rent, gasoline, education tuition, etc.). With this support, Syrian locals are able to receive at least the basic survival requirements, helping them to cope with displacement and the tragic consequences war.
Through the In Service of Love Volunteer group, Sister Joseph-Marie is able to support over 500 families and 105 students with food, tuition, clothes, and gas. They prioritize aid based on the needy. She also supports patients dealing with cancer.
During the last 8 years of the Syrian war, the group helped a lot of families to cope with the displacement and consequences of the tragic war.
March 7, 2020
Coalesce International supported 12 patients fighting cancer by providing funds to seek treatment or buy medicine.
- Rita Habib Elias – Breast Cancer
- Seline Mouhanad Makhoul – 16 years old – Lymphoma
- Bassam Sobhi – 67 years old-Benign Brain Tumor
- Wajih Kabalan – 72 years old- Lung cancer
- Jaquline Shanaa- 48 years old -Uterus cancer
- Yaser ghazi shannaa- 50 years old -Oral cancer
- Antoinette Shannis – 52 years old-Breast cancer
- Badiaa Kaftan Dahim-50 years old- Uterus cancer
- Nadia Jeriess Shahada-53 years old-Breast cancer
- Mounir Fadel Daloul- 55 years old-Bladder cancer
- Suzan Fouzi Darwish – 35 years old-Breast cancer
- Rane Niaman Moussa- Lymphoma
Yaser Ghazi Shannaa- 50y-oral cancer
Nadia Jeriess Shahada-53y-breast cancer
Bassam Sobhi -67y – benign brain tumor
Update – April 20, 2019
We were able to provide 40 families with care baskets for Easter. The baskets included household items along with food for needy families to celebrate Easter.
