Doha: HE Minister of State for International Cooperation Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad inaugurated Al Amal residential city project to shelter people affected by crises and provide decent housing for displaced families in northern Syria. The opening ceremony was attended by Turkish Deputy Interior Minister Munir Karaloglu, Turkish Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) Secretary-General Durmus Aydin, Mayor of Turkiye's Gaziantep Fatma Sahin, and Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Charity (QC) Yousef bin Ahmed Al Kuwari.
According to Qatar News Agency, the residential city, created in cooperation between QC and IHH, includes 1,400 houses equipped to accommodate more than 8,800 people and is equipped with basic service facilities of schools, markets, a health center, and a mosque. This development marks a significant change for hundreds of families transitioning from refugee tents to homes that offer dignity and safety.
The initiative aims to relocate displaced families from the camps in northern Syria to Al Amal City, providing them with safe and dignified living conditions. The relocation process will occur in stages over several days to ensure a smooth transition for families to their new homes, offering them a stable environment and improving their quality of life.
The project was made possible by the support of the Qatari people, who have contributed to securing safe shelter for affected families, thereby helping to alleviate their suffering and providing stability away from the camps. HE Al Misnad emphasized Qatar's longstanding support for the Syrian people under HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani's leadership.
Her Excellency expressed joy at witnessing the opening of Al Amal City, which signifies the spirit of giving and solidarity between Qatar and Syria. She acknowledged the efforts of QC and IHH in implementing this crucial project, highlighting its symbolic role in rebuilding a decent life for affected communities.
Al Kuwari noted that the project in Soran, Aleppo Governorate, is a gift from the charitable people of Qatar to their Syrian brothers affected by war and difficult conditions. He emphasized the project's impact, evident in the renewed stability and opportunities for families, and thanked all contributors, including donors from Qatar, IHH, and government agencies in Turkiye and Syria.
Karaloglu acknowledged the return of 821,500 Syrians who had lived in Turkiye and expressed hopes for continued brotherhood with Syrian neighbors. He thanked all involved in the project's success, while Aydin praised the partnership with QC as a testament to solidarity and cooperation, emphasizing the project's role in enabling dignity for Syrians.
Beneficiaries of the project expressed their happiness at receiving homes after years in challenging conditions, acknowledging the ongoing support from Qatar and QC's efforts in realizing this initiative.