Our History: From Crisis to Renewed Hope
Founded in Response to Crisis (October 2012)
Yasmine Children's Rescue (YCR) was founded in October 2012 as a direct response to the devastating humanitarian crisis unfolding in Syria. What began in 2011 with peaceful protests had, by the summer of 2012, escalated into a brutal civil war, with fighting reaching Syria's largest city, Aleppo, and causing mass displacement and suffering. It was in this context of urgent need that our organization was established to provide critical aid and rescue to the most vulnerable, particularly children.
Initial Operations and a Period of Dormancy
Our initial operations were made possible through the generous support of industrial partners in France. However, as the conflict wore on and without a sustainable base of donors, our funds were eventually depleted. This forced Yasmine Children's Rescue into a period of dormancy, but our commitment to the people of Syria never wavered.
A Spark of Hope: The Fall of the Regime (December 2024)
A transformative moment arrived in late 2024. On December 8, 2024, the regime of Bashar al-Assad, which had been in power for over five decades, finally collapsed as opposition forces seized Damascus. This historic event sparked a renewed sense of hope for Syria's future and presented a new opening for humanitarian action. It was this monumental shift that allowed us to begin planning our reactivation and a return to active service.
Building a New Future Through Strategic Partnerships (2026)
With this new hope, we have actively sought to rebuild our capacity through collaboration. We have been honored to meet and begin forging a partnership with two remarkable organizations, set to launch in 2026:
Mercy Without Limits (MWL)
An organization founded in 2012, just like YCR, specifically to aid displaced women and children in Syria. Today, they operate in over 20 countries with a strong focus on empowerment, education, and emergency relief, and crucially, have established operations in both Syria and Bangladesh.
INARA
International Network for Aid, Relief and Assistance, founded in 2015, specializes in providing life-altering medical and mental health support to children impacted by war. They have established centers and mobile clinics inside Syria, making them an invaluable partner for our on-the-ground health initiatives.
This powerful collaboration is designed to combine our strengths and ensure a comprehensive approach to aid delivery.
A Vision for Replication: The Rohingya Response Project
Our vision extends beyond a single region. We believe that effective relief and reconstruction models can be adapted to help vulnerable communities in different contexts around the world. To that end, we have initiated a planning project for the Rohingya people, over a million of whom have been displaced in Bangladesh since August 2017. Our "Rohingya Water Master Plan," for example, targets critical infrastructure with initiatives like water harvesting towers and modular kitchens.
We see our work for the Rohingya as more than just a response to one crisis; it is the development of a template for sustainable, community-driven relief. The successful strategies and lessons learned from this project will directly inform and enhance our renewed operations in Syria. This synergy is made possible because our partner, Mercy Without Limits, already has dedicated teams on the ground in both Bangladesh and Syria.
Looking Ahead: A Sustainable Funding Model
Today, we are in active negotiations with potential donors who share our innovative vision. We are pioneering a model where a portion of the profits from impact investments can provide the seed capital for our humanitarian projects. This approach is central to our philosophy of "Building Autonomy, Funding Hope," transforming aid into long-term, self-sustaining wealth for the communities we serve.