WATAN

What WATAN does

WATAN Foundation is a UK-registered humanitarian civil society organization founded in 2006 by Moaz Al-Sibaai as the Syrian Business Group for diaspora professional networking, then rebranded to WATAN in 2011 following the outbreak of the Syrian crisis and formally registered as an NGO in 2012. The organization delivers emergency relief, third sector support, and long-term international development across nine integrated sectors: Health, Education, Water and Sanitation (WASH), Food Security and Agriculture, Protection, Shelter, Non-Food Items, Economic Empowerment, and Third Sector/Civil Society Support. It operates through a cross-border delivery model with primary field operations in Northwest Syria (Idleb, Aleppo, Homs), a main operational hub in Gaziantep, Turkey, secondary offices in Istanbul and Ankara, a country presence in Jordan and Lebanon, and affiliated registered entities in the UK, USA, and Canada. Beneficiaries receive services free of charge, with reach reported at 17M+ across all programs.

WATAN's underlying technology stack is operationally oriented rather than product-oriented, consisting of field-engineered infrastructure tailored to conflict-affected settings. Notable proprietary or first-of-kind assets include a centralized blood bank network linking 9 blood banks with 55 surgical hospitals via a central application, a mobile oxygen generator with 40 nm/h capacity (filling 150 cylinders/day), low-cost modular battery arrays for health center power supply (funded by Grand Challenge Canada), and solar PV-integrated WASH infrastructure. The organization is not a software product company and does not offer a unified platform; its primary outputs are humanitarian programs and the technical systems required to deliver them in fragile environments.

The revenue model is grant-funded: the primary stream is international donor grants from UN agencies (UNICEF, WHO, UNOCHA), the European Union, and international NGOs (Caritas, NORWAC, IOM, IRC, FAO, CARE, HI, ACTED), supplemented by corporate, foundation, and individual donations. Annual turnover is disclosed at approximately USD 30 million, managed across 40+ projects by 500+ staff. GTM is event-driven and partnership-led: WATAN responds to humanitarian crises and tenders for institutional donor funding rather than operating a transactional sales motion. Customer segments are crisis-affected populations (Syrian refugees, IDPs, children, healthcare patients, and civil society organizations), and the organization's effectiveness is measured in beneficiary outcomes rather than commercial KPIs.

Name

WATAN

Legal name

WATAN Foundation

Website

https://watan.foundation

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

WATAN Foundation is a UK-registered humanitarian NGO delivering emergency relief and long-term development across nine sectors (Health, Education, WASH, Food Security, Protection, Shelter, NFI, Economic Empowerment, Third Sector Support) to 17M+ crisis-affected beneficiaries in Syria, Turkey, and neighboring countries, operating with 500+ staff and an annual budget of approximately USD 30 million.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Humanitarian Aid Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Refugee, Migration & Displacement Support (BPAGABAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) Organizations (HLAJAKAI), Emergency Shelter, Camp Management & Non-Food Items (NFI) (BPAGAAAC), Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) (BPAGABAC)

Keywords

• Humanitarian aid services
• Emergency relief programs
• Humanitarian development projects
• Community resilience support
• Humanitarian program management

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. International Donor Grants: WATAN operates primarily through grants and funding from international donors including UN agencies (UNICEF, WHO, UNOCHA), the European Union, and international NGOs. The organization has an annual turnover of USD 30 million.
2. Corporate and Individual Donations: WATAN receives donations from corporations, individuals, and charitable foundations. The organization operates a volunteer program and accepts donations through its website.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

WATAN Foundation is a humanitarian civil society organization that delivers emergency relief and long-term international development programs across nine integrated sectors: Health, Education, Water and Sanitation (WASH), Food Security and Agriculture, Protection, Shelter, Non-Food Items, Economic Empowerment, and Third Sector/Civil Society Support. It operates field programs in Northwest Syria, Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan, reaching more than 17 million beneficiaries, and is funded primarily through grants from UN agencies, the EU, and international NGOs.

Product overview

WATAN is a humanitarian civil society organization, not a technology product company. It does not offer a unified software product or platform-plus-modules architecture. Instead, WATAN delivers emergency relief and development programs through nine distinct sector-specific programs: Third Sector and Institutions, Economic Empowerment, Protection, Health, Water and Sanitation (WASH), Education, Food Security and Agriculture, Shelter, and Non-Food Items. These are humanitarian aid and community development programs, not commercial software products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• WATAN Health Program Improving health systems in Northwest Syria since 2012, operating primary health care centers, blood banks, a Thalassemia treatment clinic, an orthopedic hospital (Al-Amal), and COVID-19 isolation centers for vulnerable populations in conflict-affected areas.
• WATAN Education Program Provides formal and non-formal education, early childhood development, psychosocial support, scholarships, and teacher training to Syrian refugee and IDP children and youth in Turkey and Syria.
• WATAN Water and Sanitation (WASH) Program Ensures water safety, promotes public hygiene, and mitigates water-borne diseases through innovative and sustainable methods including solar-powered water stations serving IDPs in camps and rural communities.
• WATAN Food Security and Agriculture Program Meets immediate and lifesaving food needs of conflict-affected populations while building agricultural resilience through livestock programs, support to small breeders, and income-generation activities.
• WATAN Protection Program Provides vital support to vulnerable populations affected by crises and conflicts, including services for women, children, and people with disabilities across Syria and Turkey.
• WATAN Shelter Program Provides comprehensive shelter solutions for displaced communities in Syria and Turkey, including shelter materials distribution, tent installation and cleaning, and rehabilitation of housing for returning displaced families.
• WATAN Non-Food Items Program Distributes essential non-food items (NFIs) to displaced populations in camps and communities, including clothing, bedding, hygiene supplies, and other basic household necessities.
• WATAN Economic Empowerment Program Empowers individuals and communities to control their lives by providing direct support to increase income and improve living standards, including livelihoods, microenterprise, and skills training.
• WATAN Third Sector and Institutions Program Builds capacities of civil society organizations in Syria in community work, philanthropy, governance, and organizational development through training programs and institutional support.

Quantifiable outcome

• 17M+ beneficiaries reached through humanitarian programs
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Action MedeormajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2025Action Medeor supported the national workshop for updating blood banks guide and enhancing digital transformation in Syria, organized in cooperation with Syrian Ministry of Health.
• UN Agencies (UNICEF, WHO, UNOCHA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWATAN partners with leading UN agencies including UNICEF, WHO, and UNOCHA for project implementation. The organization has collaborated with UNICEF on education programs, water projects, and health infrastructure. WHO partnership includes COVID-19 response and blood bank network development.
• CaritasmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Caritas partnership for delivering humanitarian aid and development programs to vulnerable populations.
• Syrian Ministry of Health - Blood Banks General EstablishmentmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Syrian government ministry for blood banks network development and healthcare system strengthening.
• HI (Humanity & Inclusion)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with HI for adding physiotherapy department to reduce disability rates for earthquake victims in northwest Syria.
• IOM (International Organization for Migration)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWASH emergency response and infrastructure projects implemented in partnership with IOM across northwest Syria camps.
• CARE InternationalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Syria Joint Response and food security & livelihood projects in northern, central, and southern Syria.
• IRC (International Rescue Committee)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on 'Ahlan Simsim' project for early childhood development, improving cognitive and social-emotional skills of young children in conflict settings.
• Polish Embassy in DamascusmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for home rehabilitation project in Kafrnbleh village in southern Idlib countryside, supporting return of displaced families.
• ACTEDmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for enhancing resilience of conflict-affected communities while providing immediate life-saving assistance to IDPs.
• FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for supporting small livestock breeders through artificial insemination and veterinary care services in northwest Syria.
• PARCICminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for distributing orthopedic surgical consumables to hospitals affected by the 2023 earthquake.
• Homs Chamber of CommerceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for specialized workshop on artificial intelligence tools for business development, strengthening institutional capacity and digital readiness.
• WATAN Network (Affiliated Organizations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWATAN Network is a gathering of Syrian civil society organizations that operate in humanitarian and development fields inside Syria and abroad, building effective civil society through coordination and knowledge sharing.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• CARE International: Global INGO with documented partnership with WATAN on Syria joint response and food security/livelihood projects — comparable scale, multi-sector model and donor base targeting vulnerable women and conflict-affected populations.
• Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS): US-registered medical and humanitarian organization operating inside Syria and neighboring countries. Closely comparable to WATAN in serving Syrian IDPs/refugees through multi-sector humanitarian programs with similar UN/European donor base.
• Mercy Corps: Major US-headquartered INGO implementing integrated humanitarian and development programming in Syria and the region across WASH, food security, livelihoods and protection — directly competes with WATAN for institutional donor grants.
• International Rescue Committee (IRC): Large US-headquartered INGO delivering integrated health, education, WASH and economic recovery programs in Syria and refugee-hosting countries. Documented WATAN partner on Ahlan Simsim and competes on the same institutional tenders.
• HI (Humanity & Inclusion): Disability-focused INGO with documented WATAN partnership on earthquake rehabilitation and physiotherapy in Northwest Syria — comparable operational presence and similar UN/EU funding base for Syria programming.
• ACTED: France-based INGO with extensive Syria cross-border programming and a documented partnership with WATAN on resilience and IDP response — comparable multi-sector humanitarian/early recovery portfolio and similar institutional donor relationships.
• Relief International: INGO delivering multi-sector humanitarian and recovery programs in conflict-affected countries with comparable operating model (Health, WASH, Education, Livelihoods) and similar donor mix to WATAN, including active Syria programming.

Regional players

• Qatar Charity: Gulf-headquartered humanitarian organization documented as a WATAN financial partner for WASH infrastructure in Aleppo and Idleb — comparable WASH and community-development programming in Syria with overlapping regional donor footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Caritas Internationalis: Large global confederation of Catholic humanitarian agencies with documented WATAN partnership on Syria programming — broader geographic and thematic footprint but overlapping donor base and beneficiary segments in the Syrian response.
• Save the Children: Major global INGO running one of the largest Syria responses with multi-sector programming including Education (where WATAN also has strong programs) and Child Protection — broader scope but directly competes for Syria education and child-focused institutional funding.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Watanfoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/WATANFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/watan-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about WATAN