al-Fardos Co-operative
Al-Fardos Co-operative is a kind of volunteer-run food bank initiative in the al-Fardo neighborhood of Raqqa, set up in late 2018 to care for the needy in the war-torn city. The co-operative is open especially at mealtimes and gives people in need the opportunity to eat for free.
At the core of the co-operative’s team are five women who work as volunteers and distribute food every day. The women start at 9:00 am and work until 3:00 pm, supplying for between 200 and 250 families daily. The food is distributed according to the size of the family, with priority given to caring for the children.
Co-operative worker Zehra al-Dschasim says they are helping children who have been orphaned because of ISIS as well as others in need. About 200 families are being cared for at the moment, but much more help is needed and the co-op is calling on aid organisations for support.