Nadia Alawa

Nadia Alawa

Nadia Alawa [1] is the founder and former[2] CEO of the non-profit NuDay. [3] The NGO provides humanitarian relief to people affected by the crisis in Syria through its use of public donations, which directly fund projects such as building wells and educational facilities.[4] Alawa's work in the humanitarian aid space has earned accolades and recognition from institutions like the United Nations, Harvard University, and the James Wright Foley Legacy Foundation.

Early life

Nadia Alawa started local fundraising soon after the Syrian Revolution broke out.[5] As she successfully collected several containers of clothing, food and supplies for aid agencies, she realized she would be more efficient if she had her own organization.[6]

NuDay

Main article: NuDay

During her years of advocacy and humanitarian relief work, Alawa was exposed to the conditions of Syria's mothers and children as a result of the Syrian crisis. As a response, Alawa founded NuDay in 2013.[7] The charity is a non profit organization that provides humanitarian relief to people affected by the crisis in Syria through its use of public donations, which directly fund projects such as building wells and educational facilities.[4]

Due to Syria's ongoing crisis, children are vulnerable, and an entire generation has become accustomed to a life filled with uncertainty and without access to education. Women, in the hopes of supporting their family, may resort to desperate actions, which NuDay seeks to stop.[8]

In an interview with NHPR, Alawa stated that, when it came to the impact people have had on the humanitarian crisis, "We have huge numbers of people who want to collect new items, who want to participate in doing the containers, and likewise with donations. We’re seeing new groups of people all over the United States and especially here in New England who want to be part of helping those mothers and children in being—making their own statement that they understand that humanity is at stake here and not letting terrorism be their voice."[9]

References

  1. ^ Feldman, Victor (2018). "Salvation in Syria". the Justice. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  2. ^ "NuDay Charity Sentenced for Illegal Exports to Syria". U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Hampshire. December 28, 2023. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  3. ^ Wangsness, Lisa (May 31, 2015). "From small-town NH, a stream of relief to Syria". The Boston Globe.
  4. ^ a b "International compassion: Local teens make global impact". TC Palm. November 9, 2017. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  5. ^ Elgamal, Asma (April 25, 2016). "Meet Nadia Alawa, the founder and powerhouse behind the international NGO NuDay Syria". The Tempest. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
  6. ^ "Local Syrians aid war-torn homeland". Telegram. September 22, 2013. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
  7. ^ "Conventional killings left out of Syria debate". Boston Globe. September 12, 2013. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  8. ^ "NuDay - GuideStar Profile". www.guidestar.org. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  9. ^ Biello, Peter (December 9, 2015). "Following Paris Attacks, N.H. Nonprofit NuDay Syria Attracts New Interest". www.nhpr.org. Retrieved April 21, 2019.