A project was launched to establish a network for the families of missing Syrians in Kurdistan, Iraq, with the aim of providing support and solidarity to the affected families in their search for their missing loved ones. Several steps and stages were taken to ensure the successful achievement of its objectives.

The project began with holding outreach sessions in the provinces of Erbil and Duhok, where affected families interested in participating in the network were reached out to. Among the participants, 12 individuals were selected to represent the two groups in Duhok and Erbil, with the goal of representing and advocating for the network and their needs.

Subsequently, two-day training sessions were provided for each group, covering topics related to the missing persons and their rights, as well as the role of families and issues related to the missing persons. Another training was provided on communication techniques and public speaking to enable participants to raise awareness and knowledge about the issue effectively.

Virtual coordination sessions were then conducted between the Erbil and Duhok groups to enhance communication, exchange information, and share experiences among the participants. These sessions were facilitated to ensure effective coordination and achieve common goals for the network.

To promote the network and attract more interest and participation, a special brochure was designed to provide information about the Syrian Missing Persons’ Families Network. Additionally, a promotional video for the network was created to increase awareness and engage with the public, especially due to the constraints of holding awareness sessions because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the final stage of the project, a Facebook page was created under the name of the Syrian Missing Persons’ Families Network, and the promotional video was published on this page to increase awareness among more people and attract them to participate. The video was also funded to ensure it reaches the largest possible audience.

Through the network’s efforts and focus on the issue, positive results were achieved, with the promotional video being viewed by 63,000 people concerned about the fate of the missing Syrians. Moreover, 41 individuals participated in the outreach sessions, and 12 individuals were selected to represent the network, including 8 men and 4 women. All network members participated in the training and coordination sessions.

Continuing its efforts and collaboration with families and the community, the Syrian Missing Persons’ Families Network aims to provide necessary support, raise awareness about the issue of missing persons and their rights, and work towards promoting justice and the return of affected families.