Flash floods in eastern Syria: read our latest situation update Learn more
Emissa is a Syrian non-profit founded in Homs in 2011. We connect emergency relief with early recovery and long-term development in Syria, Türkiye and Lebanon.
Early recovery and livelihoods Strengthening community resilience through sustainable livelihoods, vocational training and local economic development.
Emissa grew from a group of volunteers who believed that every person deserves to live with dignity. Today it works in Syria, Türkiye and Lebanon through three legal entities united by one mission: to empower people and build resilient, sustainable communities.
About EmissaA group of Syrian volunteers starts Emissa in response to the growing humanitarian needs caused by the Syrian crisis.
Local networks deliver food, shelter, education and medical assistance, and help women, youth and vulnerable families rebuild their lives.
As displacement spread, the organization registered in Türkiye as IDIL (Innovative Development for Improving Lives) and later also worked in Lebanon.
Following the liberation of Syria, Emissa returned home and was re-registered under its original name, Emissa – Syria.
Our work follows the Nexus approach: humanitarian relief, early recovery and sustainable development are treated as one continuous effort, so that short-term assistance contributes directly to lasting change and inclusive development.
Meeting urgent needs with dignity: food, medical support, temporary shelter and essential services.
Rebuilding livelihoods and local capacity, so that short-term aid leads somewhere.
Inclusive, community-led development that makes communities resilient and self-reliant.
Research and studies guide all of it. Our Research and Studies department runs needs assessments, field analyses and contextual studies so that every intervention responds to what communities actually face.
Seven programs that work together, from emergency response to governance and research.
Our teams work in Syria, Türkiye and Lebanon, adapting each intervention to the needs of its context.
Assessments, studies and reports from our field work, free to read and download.
Humanitarian situation
Situation update of 2 November 2026 on the flash floods in eastern Syria, looking beyond the rainfall to water supply, road access and agricultural livelihoods.
Humanitarian situation
Situation update of 31 October 2026 on the flash floods in Syria, focused on Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor, Al-Hasakah and eastern Homs.
Humanitarian situation
National update to the 29 October assessment, based on material reviewed up to 30 October 2026.
Emissa, IDIL, Epissa and Rouya surveyed young people aged 18 to 35, inside Syria and in host countries.
IDIL and Emissa gathered the views of 240 young people, including in focus group discussions, on work.
Emissa began a bread distribution in Syria on 7 December 2024, handing out 1,500 bundles on the first day.
Fund relief and development work in the communities we serve.
DonateWork with us as a donor, agency or local organization.
Become a partnerGive your time and skills to a community project.
Volunteer