SOS Children's Villages Syria

What SOS Children's Villages Syria does

SOS Children's Villages Syria is a Syrian-registered nonprofit charity (registration number 1002) and a member association of the global SOS Children's Villages International federation, operating continuously since 1975 with the first village opened in Qudsaya in 1981. The organization delivers alternative family-based care for children who have lost parental care as a consequence of the Syrian conflict, alongside preventive family-strengthening programs and emergency humanitarian response. Core services include Family-Like Care in SOS Villages (Qudsaya, Saboura), Small Group Homes (Sahnaya), a Supervised Independent Living Scheme for transitioning youth, the UNICEF-funded Jaramana Drop-in Centre for street children, and post-earthquake humanitarian response in Aleppo. The organization reports reaching 20,100 children through its OCHA partnership, supporting 620-850 children across various programs, and maintaining 15 homes of 5-10 children each in Qudsaya.

The organization operates with a workforce of approximately 57 employees and is funded through a diversified channel mix: individual child sponsorship (eight tiers ranging from 50,000 SP monthly to 120,000,000 SP annually), SMS donations via short code 1410, Syriatel USSD (*440#), bank transfers, corporate partnerships (DHL Syria as a multi-year anchor), and institutional grants from UNICEF and OCHA. Its go-to-market combines direct-to-consumer sponsorship via website, enterprise-field sales for corporate partners, and event-driven visibility including the Job Gate 2 employment fair and Universal Children's Day. Mahmoud Nasr serves as Goodwill Ambassador, and the organization maintains a presence across Damascus, Qudsaya, Saboura, Sahnaya, Jaramana, and Aleppo. The organization explicitly states it does not align with any political entities or regimes and adheres to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The entity is currently navigating a significant governance crisis: the National Director was suspended on July 29, 2025, and the Board Chair resigned on May 1, 2025, both in connection with judicial investigations into a case of forcibly disappeared children. A formal claim was submitted to the Damascus Public Prosecutor's Office on January 13, 2025, and all documents have been handed to the Ministry of Social Affairs' Internal Audit directorate.

Name

SOS Children's Villages Syria

Legal name

SOS CHILDREN'S VILLAGES SYRIA

Website

https://sos-syria.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

SOS Children's Villages Syria is a Syrian-registered nonprofit (est. 1975) providing alternative family-based care, family strengthening, and emergency humanitarian services for children without parental care due to war and crisis.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Child Welfare & Family Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Other Residential Care Facilities (6239), Child Care Services (62441)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Family & Parenting Support Services (BPAGAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dependent & Family Support Services (spouse/partner, children, family resources) (EDALANAH), Maternal, Child & Family Health Departments (HLAJAAAK)

Keywords

• Child welfare services
• Alternative family care
• Humanitarian aid programs
• Child sponsorship programs
• Family strengthening services

Headquarters

HQ city

Damascus

HQ country

Syria

HQ region

Middle East

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Child Sponsorship: Monthly and annual sponsorship payments from individual donors supporting children in care. Sponsorship tiers range from basic child sponsorship (50,000 SP/month) to full village sponsorship (120,000,000 SP/year). Additional voluntary contributions can be saved in child's private account until age 18.
2. SMS/Short Code Donations: Donations via SMS (100 SYP per message to 1410) and Syriatel short code (*440# for 2000 SYP monthly). Mobile giving campaigns for one-time and recurring contributions.
3. Bank Transfers: Cash donations accepted via Albaraka Bank (account 7000600) and Bemo Bank (account 0534348366).
4. Corporate Partnerships: Partnerships with businesses providing financial support, in-kind donations, employee volunteering, and professional services. Companies receive recognition and branding benefits.
5. Family Empowerment Program: Income-generating project support for families including micro-project management training and supplies provision. Families receive resources to establish small businesses generating sustainable income.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SOS Children's Villages Syria provides alternative family care for children who have lost parental care, family strengthening programs to prevent family breakdown, and emergency humanitarian response services. Operating SOS villages, small group homes, supervised independent living, drop-in centers, and emergency response projects across Syria, the organization serves children and families affected by the Syrian crisis through long-term, family-based care and community support.

Product overview

SOS Children's Villages Syria is a nonprofit charitable organization operating since 1975, providing alternative care and support services for children without parental care. The organization offers a portfolio of interconnected programs including Family-Like Care (SOS Village), Small Group Homes, Supervised Independent Living Scheme, Direct Family Strengthening, and Community Strengthening programs. Additional services include the Jaramana Drop-in Centre for street children, Emergency Response Projects, the Skate Park for social inclusion, vocational training partnerships, and mobile donation systems. The organization operates under the principle that no child should grow up alone, adhering to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• 20,100 children reached with children's rights awareness through OCHA partnership
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DHL SyriacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-year vocational training partnership for SOS youth. DHL professional trainers conduct 7-8 day training courses covering decision-making, keys to success, quality management, human resources, accounting, and resume writing. Partnership renewed in October 2023 for fourth consecutive year. Targets boys and girls in semi-independent stage.
• United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst partnership agreement signed to promote and increase awareness about Alternative Care using children's rights booklet. Project targets 20,100 children, caregivers and humanitarian workers. Includes group psychological support, risk education about mines and war remnants, and family strengthening components.
• UNICEFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Jaramana Drop-in Centre providing 24/7 shelter for street children and children from besieged areas. Centre offers protected rest, bathing, health care, psychological/social support, educational activities, and vocational training. Funded by UNICEF.
• Arope SyriaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration for Universal Children's Day celebration. Organized joyful and educational event for children of SOS Villages Syria with entertaining and educational activities.
• GOPA-DERD (Department of Ecumenical Relations and Development, Patriarchate of Antioch)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Arope Syria for Universal Children's Day event. Department at Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East organized activities for children.
• Human Resources Management FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganized 'Job Gate 2' employment event in collaboration with strategic partner Syriatel under patronage of Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor. SOS participated among 43 companies showcasing 1500+ job opportunities.
• SyriatelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTelecommunications partner providing USSD short code (*440#) for monthly donations. Strategic partner for Job Gate 2 employment event.
• Ministry of Interior - Drug Control DepartmentcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTraining program against drug abuse for supervisors, educators, and specialists in Youth Care services, villages, and Small Group Homes. Training covers types and risks of drugs, legal implications under Syrian law, and guidelines for organizing drug-awareness programs. Second phase planned for youth aged 14-25.
• Syrian Ministry of Social Affairs and LaborcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGovernment oversight and partnership. Ministry informed of Board decisions regarding National Director suspension. Documents handed to Director of Internal Audit at Ministry. Cooperating on investigation into missing children case.
• SOS Children's Villages InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent organization operating in more than 136 countries. Provides guidance, brand standards, and support. SOS Syria consults with International on major decisions. Does not align with any political entities or regimes.
• Albaraka BankminorOthersBanking partner for receiving cash donations. Account number 7000600.
• Bemo BankminorOthersBanking partner for receiving cash donations. Account number 0534348366.
• Mahmoud NasrcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSyrian actor appointed as Goodwill Ambassador. Launches online fundraising campaigns on social media and visits SOS families to provide social support. Supports children through fundraising campaigns and visits to families.
• Dutch National BalletminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHelped Ahmad Joudeh (SOS International Friend) move to Amsterdam in 2016. Continues supporting SOS Children's Villages through fundraising concerts for Syria and charity events for refugees.
• Syrian Arab Red CrescentminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerReferred displaced children to SOS interim care centres. Khaled was referred to SOS after reaching Damascus via Syrian Arab Red Crescent.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Mercy Corps: International humanitarian agency delivering emergency response, child and youth support, and economic recovery in Syria. Comparable donor base, beneficiary focus, and program mix.
• Syrian Arab Red Crescent: Largest humanitarian organization operating inside Syria, providing shelter, health, and family-support services with national reach. Comparable as a frontline humanitarian responder and referral partner to SOS.
• Save the Children Syria: International NGO providing alternative care, education, and child protection services for Syrian children affected by conflict. Closely comparable mission and beneficiary base to SOS Children's Villages Syria.
• Islamic Relief Worldwide - Syria: International faith-based NGO operating humanitarian and child-focused programs inside Syria. Comparable fundraising model (sponsorship/donations) and program mix.
• International Rescue Committee (IRC) Syria: Global humanitarian organization providing protection, education, and economic support for conflict-affected children and families in Syria. Comparable emergency response and family strengthening scope.
• World Vision Syria: International Christian humanitarian NGO running child sponsorship, protection, and emergency response in Syria. Closely comparable funding model (child sponsorship) and beneficiary focus.
• UNICEF Syria: UN agency delivering child welfare, education, and protection programs in Syria. Directly comparable as a major child-focused humanitarian partner, including a co-funded Jaramana Drop-in Centre with SOS.

Regional players

• Relief International: International humanitarian NGO with active Syria operations delivering education, protection, and emergency assistance to vulnerable children and families. Comparable operational footprint and donor base.

Broad incumbents

• SOS Children's Villages International: Parent federation operating in 137 countries; same brand, care model, and global sponsorship infrastructure as SOS Syria but at vastly greater scale across many jurisdictions.
• UNHCR Syria: UN refugee agency with significant operations inside Syria focused on displacement, protection, and child welfare. Adjacent peer given overlapping beneficiary populations but broader mandate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sos-children's-villages-in-syria

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 SOS Children's Villages Syria