Donations poured in Friday evening, September 26, as officials, business leaders, and international organizations launched the “Loyalty to Idlib” campaign, raising over $208 million to rebuild war-damaged communities.
Digital Spotlight and Farming Struggles Define Idlib Drive
The campaign drew attention not only for its record-breaking donations but also for the challenges it seeks to address and the online reach it achieved. Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa said the live broadcast of the launch drew about 50,000 viewers per second on YouTube, a figure he called “approaching the numbers of major Arab news channels.” Noting the campaign’s wide audience underscored growing public engagement, both domestically and abroad.
At the same time, Idlib’s agricultural sector remains central to recovery efforts. Once employing over 30% of the province’s population, farming has been devastated after years of war. Provincial Agriculture Director Mustafa Mohad said 1.5 million olive trees, 350,000 pistachio trees and about 100,000 fig trees were destroyed. Mohad said, “The extent of destruction is large in the agricultural sector, both in land and infrastructure.” The campaign aims to channel donations toward rebuilding farmland, infrastructure and services while amplifying Idlib’s plight to a global audience.
A Stadium Gathering
The campaign began at Idlib’s municipal stadium under the slogan “It is time to fulfill,” with thousands in attendance. Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, fresh from the UN General Assembly, addressed the crowd, urging Syrians to honor Idlib’s role during the war by helping displaced families return home.
Governor Muhammad Abdurahman called Idlib “a microcosm of Syria” that had sheltered the displaced. Campaign spokesman Ahmad al-Zeir said over 250,000 homes, 800 schools and 437 mosques were damaged, and over 1,000 camps now house nearly one million displaced people.
Large-Scale Donations
The single largest pledge came from businessman Ghassan Aboud and his family, who committed $55 million. The UN Development Programme added $14 million. Other significant contributions included $11 million from the Syrian American Medical Society, $10 million from businessman Ayman Asfari, and $6 million from the Humanitarian Relief Foundation. Humanitarian groups such as the White Helmets, Shafaq, and Ataa each pledged $5 million.
Government ministries and Syrian companies also joined in, with smaller donations from officials, including Health Minister Musab al-Ali, who gave $500, and Emergency Minister Raed al-Saleh, who pledged his salary through the year.
Beyond Immediate Relief
Organizers stressed the initiative was not only about emergency relief but also long-term recovery. Zeir said Idlib needs over $3 billion to restore infrastructure. Projects include repairing schools, hospitals, and water networks, clearing rubble, and restoring livelihoods through agriculture.
The “Loyalty to Idlib” effort follows a wave of national fundraising drives, including “Wednesday of Homs” and “Absheri Houran,” which together raised tens of millions in donations for other affected governorates. “This campaign reflects the depth of solidarity across Syria,” Abdurahman said. “The time has come to be loyal to Idlib, as it was loyal to us.”
