The Assyrian Democratic Organization
Sweden – AWB – an aid agency based in Sweden, is expanding its operations to outside of Sweden. AWB recently introduced an English version of their website. The goal is to reach beyond Sweden in their fund raising activities.
“With our English website, we actively want to reach out to Assyrian colonies in English-speaking countries,” Said board member Ninib Baryawno. “We believe there is a need for the Assyrians in the West for a reliable alternative when they want to help their brothers and sisters in the home country.”
AWB was established in 2006 after a trip to the Assyrian region of Tur Abdin, Turkey by a group of Assyrian academics, who saw the need to establish an aid agency to help Assyrians in the Middle East. Sweden is home to 80,000 Assyrians.
AWB has sent aid to 103 Assyrian families in the Nineveh Plain, Iraq this year, and helped tens of Assyrian families in Syria last year. AWB has adopted the village of Bsorino in Tur Abdin and has sent school supplies to the schools in the village.
AWB is a “90-account” organization, which under Swedish law means it is a bank account given only to aid organizations certified by the Swedish government. “90-account” organizations are subject to regular oversight and audits by the Swedish government.
AWB is the only “90-account” Assyrian organization in Sweden.
