Enab Baladi – Khawla Hefzy
The role of the Syria Trust for Development organization (STD) has grown in the Syrian regime-controlled areas remarkably since the beginning of 2020.
The STD defines itself as a non-profit and non-governmental organization, but it is directly linked to Asma al-Assad, the wife of the head of the Syrian regime, Bashar al-Assad.
Syrian people call the STD “the Syrian First Lady’s organization” because Asma al-Assad holds the position of the chairperson of the board of directors.
The growing activities of the STD coincided with the larger political role Asma al-Assad is playing.
These activities were also accompanied by many “firsts” in Syria, including the banner size photo of Asma al-Assad that was displayed just next to one of Bashar al-Assad during an event in the province of Homs in central Syria.