Ms. Shalab al-Sham, a native of Homs, directs the Syrian Emergency Task Force (SETF) field operations, connecting activists and refugees to international experts and donors. Ms. Shalab al-Sham co-founded the office in 2012 and has led its projects since then. Under her guidance SETF has implemented projects with Creative Associates, Aktis, ARK, International Republican Institute, Women’s Democracy Network, CARE International, CFLI, FCO and others. Ms. Shalab al-Sham has unparalleled networks and access in nearly every province in Syria, as well as within the transitional government and Syrian Opposition Coalition.
Ms. Shalab al-Sham's exceptional work on behalf of the Syrian people has resulted in the growth of support for local councils, significant progress in the formalization of transitional justice in liberated areas, and the distribution of millions of dollars of direct assistance and aid. She was profiled by National Public Radio for her work designing and providing civil police uniforms to villages inside Syria. Her work was recently featured in the documentary film Red Lines.
For the last three years, Ms. Shalab al-Sham has been working with the Women’s Democracy Network to build capacity and increase women’s participation in public life from the local to the national level inside Syria. She has received numerous achievement and leadership awards from the International Republican Institute, Rising Stars Program and others.
