HAND's founder and Chairman
Dr. Abdulkader Sankari is the Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of HAND, and serves as the institutional reference behind the organization’s vision and strategic direction.
HAND was established upon a long-standing personal conviction in the importance of humanitarian and development work as a sustainable mission, rather than a temporary or reactive response to crises. Under his guidance, HAND has evolved into a multidisciplinary organization working across humanitarian response, recovery, and development sectors in Lebanon and Syria.
The organization’s institutional vision is rooted in values of humanity, dignity, social responsibility, and sustainable impact, principles that continue to shape HAND’s identity and operational approach.
As HAND continues to expand geographically and sectorally, the organization adopts a clear and transparent institutional leadership model that reflects globally recognized practices, linking the organization’s mission and values with the vision of its founder.
This approach aims to strengthen institutional trust, reinforce accountability, and provide a unified narrative regarding the organization’s origins, purpose, and long-term direction. This institutional positioning does not seek to personalize humanitarian work, but rather to establish a clear institutional reference that enhances credibility, consistency, and confidence among communities, partners, donors, and stakeholders.
Our Vision
HAND envisions resilient and inclusive communities where children and youth are empowered, their rights are safeguarded, and their access to quality education, protection, essential services, skills development, and opportunities for growth is ensured.
We strive for a future where individuals and communities can recover, thrive, and contribute to sustainable development with dignity, safety, and equal opportunity.
Our Mission
HAND is committed to empowering children, youth, and vulnerable communities across the Middle East by promoting dignity, resilience, and equal access to opportunities and essential services. Through integrated humanitarian, recovery, and development interventions, we support individuals and families affected by crises, displacement, poverty, and social vulnerability.
We strive to strengthen capacities, expand access to quality education, protection, livelihoods, skills development, and community-based services, enabling people to unlock their full potential and build sustainable futures.
Guided by a people-centered and nexus-based approach, HAND works to create lasting positive impact, foster social cohesion, and contribute to long-term recovery and sustainable development for communities facing adversity.
What We Stand For (Values)
Strength and Inspiration
We believe in empowering individuals and communities by fostering resilience, dignity, hope, and self-reliance. Through inclusive and inspiring initiatives, HAND seeks to create sustainable and transformative impact that supports both immediate recovery and long-term growth.
Impartiality
Commitment to human values lies at the core of our mission. We dedicate ourselves to serving and supporting communities without prejudice or discrimination. Our impartiality ensures that we provide assistance to those in need, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Partnership
We understand the importance of constructive communication and coordination, and we actively seek to establish partnerships with organizations and individuals that share our values and vision. Through working together, we can achieve greater impact and create sustainable change.
Professionalism
We are dedicated to conducting our work with utmost professionalism, adhering to high standards and ensuring the satisfaction of our beneficiaries and partners. We strive to serve with dignity, delivering high-quality support that meets the unique needs of those we serve. By upholding the highest standards of excellence.
Inclusion
We strongly believe that diversity of viewpoints and embracing differences enrich our work. By involving everyone in our efforts, we gain greater strength and drive toward development. We strive to create an inclusive environment that values and respects the unique contributions of each individual.
Integrity
Transparency and accountability are fundamental principles that guide our work. We openly share the results of our projects and success stories, ensuring that the partners and communities that we serve have full visibility on our actions. We maintain the highest level of integrity in all our interactions, which makes us earn the trust and confidence of those we work with.
The People Behind HAND
Get to know the members of HAND's Team, who work every day for a more just life.