New Social Affairs Center Opens in Deir ez-Zor to Improve Services
The Directorate of Social Affairs and Labor in Deir ez-Zor has inaugurated a new administrative facility, known as the “7km” center, located in the Al-Maamel area north of the city. The opening marks a strategic expansion of social services aimed at reaching populations in the northern countryside and mitigating the logistical challenges faced by local residents.
The new center is designed to decentralize administrative processes, thereby reducing the burden of travel for citizens who previously had to reach more distant government offices. According to local officials, the facility is specifically intended to support vulnerable groups, including individuals with disabilities and families returning from displacement camps in the region. By establishing a presence in the 7km area, the Directorate aims to provide more localized and efficient access to essential social support networks.
Muhanad Huneidi, the Director of Social Affairs and Labor in Deir ez-Zor, stated that the center is equipped to handle a wide range of administrative and social tasks. These include managing complaints, overseeing statistical data collection, and coordinating the activities of various humanitarian and civil organizations operating within the sector. Furthermore, the facility includes a dedicated training hall intended to host workshops and programs conducted by aid organizations, which will play a critical role in capacity-building efforts for the local community.
Mahmoud Al-Muhaimid, the manager of the 7km center, added that the facility’s mandate covers a broad geographical scope, serving residents from the Jazeera region, the western and eastern lines, the town of Al-Sour, and the group of villages collectively known as the “Seven Villages.” The center’s staff will focus on resolving social issues, managing disability documentation, and supervising the implementation of projects by various organizations to ensure they meet the specific needs of the local population.
The initiative to establish this center follows recent infrastructure challenges in the region, particularly after the rise in water levels of the Euphrates River approximately two months ago. The resulting impact on transport and access to municipal services highlighted the necessity for decentralized service hubs. The 7km area is recognized as a vital logistical and administrative link north of Deir ez-Zor, serving as an ideal location to bridge the gap between central governance and the needs of rural communities.
In parallel with the opening of the center, the Directorate of Social Affairs and Labor also conducted a large-scale humanitarian operation, distributing food aid to 1,209 families. This distribution, which took place in the local sports hall, targeted households from the neighborhoods of Al-Sheikh Yassin, Al-Rashidiyah, Al-Ardi, Khassarat, and Kanamat. The aid was provided in cooperation with the “Molham” volunteer team and supported by Qatar Charity, reflecting an ongoing effort to address the basic needs of families affected by recent economic and environmental pressures in the province.
