How You Helped Us Respond to the Crisis in Rojava
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How You Helped Us Respond to the Crisis in Rojava —
The Crisis
Since January 2026, the Syrian transitional government launched large-scale military operations against Kurdish-led forces in northeast Syria (Rojava), triggering a devastating humanitarian emergency. Thousands of civilians — Kurds, Yazidis, Assyrians, and other minority communities — were forced to flee their homes in the depths of winter. Cities including Kobani and Qamishli faced sustained military pressure and the collapse of basic services. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights documented human rights violations including civilian bombardments, displacement, and attacks on medical facilities. Women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities were among the most exposed — lacking shelter, heating, food, and medical care in freezing temperatures.
You made it possible for us to act immediately
Within X days of launching our emergency appeal, our community had raised over £X,000. We procured all essential items for families, signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding with our distribution partner Barzani Charity Foundation (BCF), packed everything, and handed it all over for cross-border distribution into Rojava.
The Lotus Flower led fundraising and procurement in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, ensuring every item met humanitarian quality standards before it left our hands. The Barzani Charitable Foundation, with their established field networks, logistical expertise, and cross-border coordination capacity, managed transportation and on-the-ground distribution across northeast Syria.
Who We Reached
We reached 7,430 individuals across 1,500 families across Qamishli, Malikiah, and Amoda in northeast Syria, prioritising internally displaced families, female-headed households, families with children, elderly individuals, and people with disabilities.
We reached 1,980 Women, 3,210 Children, 460 Elderly, 170 Persons with Disabilities
1,500 blankets were distributed to affected families to support them in coping with cold weather conditions and to improve their immediate living conditions.
1,500 mattresses with covers were provided to households to ensure basic sleeping arrangements and enhance comfort and dignity for displaced families
1,500 family hygiene and dignity boxes — containing children's diapers, wet wipes, children's milk, women's dignity kits, soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, towels, sanitary pads, underwear, and combs and hairbrushes.
Financial Report
What You Raised
Our community raised over £XX,000 (~$XX,000 USD) for the Rojava Emergency Appeal. Here is a breakdown of how that money was spent:
$74,778 — 1,500 blankets, mattresses, and family hygiene boxes
$672 — Packaging materials and printed stickers
$53 — Warehouse security
$730 — Staff logistics, loading, and transport
$727 — Bank transfer fees
Total spent: ~$77,031
Where the Remaining Funds Are Going
We will be giving a portion of remaining funds to directly support a local Rojava-based organisation for twelve months. This will form a partnership as part of our Localisation in Action Incubator — where we invest in their capacity, their team, and their ability to serve their own community.
Through Therapy Beyond Borders, The Lotus Flower connects displaced communities across the region with qualified psychologists via online sessions. A portion of remaining funds will ensure this service remains available to Rojava-affected families, many of whom are carrying the weight of displacement, loss, and grief.