The Philanthropic Activities During Conflict: The Case Study of the Expatriate Syrian Business Community

Abstract

This paper analyzes the ways in which the expatriate Syrian business communityengages in philanthropic activities to provide help to its fellow countrymen in hostcountries. Why and how did this group of people, after experiencing the brutal warand losing their assets and families, decide to provide a giving hand to others afterrelocations? And why did some others not? The mainstream media and reportsusually describe the refugees as aid receivers who are disadvantaged or lackingresources. However, the case of the expatriate Syrian businesspeople, who fledfrom Syria to neighboring countries due to the conflict, show that there are variousgroups of Syrian philanthropic organizations funded by those businesspeople togive help and aid to other Syrians in host countries. Their philanthropic aid isnot limited to material goods, but also includes religious courses, education, andemployee training. The paper argues that although refugees are usually consideredto live in a poor or weaker condition, economically strong expatriates (mostly businesspeople) among them can have a positive effect on the overall difficulthumanitarian situation.