650 Projects, Countless Lives: The Arabic Team’s 2024 Achievements
“Be realistic, demand the impossible.” This phrase, born during the French Revolution, has become a symbol of the unwavering pursuit of justice against all odds. This year, it resonates deeply as we celebrate the achievements of the Arabic team and honor the resilience of the Syrian people, who accomplished what once seemed unattainable: overthrowing tyranny. This milestone fuels our hope for Palestine and strengthens our commitment to justice for all.
Milestones in Service:
Supporting Refugees and Asylum Seekers
In 2024, the Arabic team completed a remarkable 650 projects—accounting for over 50% of all projects completed by the Arabic team since Respond’s inception. These achievements include translating 1,416 pages, over 567,000 words, and dedicating 367 hours to interpretation. Among these:
291
Asylum cases
70
Projects assisted LGBTQ+ asylum seekerss
151
Projects demonstrated solidarity with the Palestinian people
87
Projects documented war crimes in Gaza
Strengthening Roots in Gaza, Lebanon, and Sudan
We maintained a steady flow of paid opportunities for translators in areas affected by conflict and instability including Gaza, Lebanon, and Sudan. Despite immense challenges, these linguists demonstrated extraordinary resilience, delivering critical translations for refugees and asylum seekers. In Gaza especially, translators worked under dire conditions, ensuring vital documents were completed with precision.
Recognizing the immense pressures our team members face in war zones, we integrated trauma-informed practices into our workflow through live and recorded sessions. This year, we took an additional step by welcoming an incredible psychologist, Basma, to our team, who provided one-on-one support to linguists in these regions, helping them navigate the emotional and psychological challenges of their roles.
Building Bridges Through Partnerships
Collaboration has been at the heart of our mission. This year, we proudly provided pro bono services to LGBTQ+, asylum seekers, survivors of domestic violence, and victims of trafficking, underscoring our unwavering commitment to standing with marginalized communities. Through partnerships, we’ve expanded our reach and reinforced our values of inclusivity and justice.
We also established new partnerships, including:
The Olive Guardians, a non-profit organization providing interpretation services in various sign languages, such as American, Syrian, and Palestinian.
The California Coalition for Women Prisoners, where we provided translation services for Fashioning Hope Out of Despair, a virtual altar event honoring Palestinian women prisoners, through the Addameer Association. Today, we also celebrate the freedom of Khalida Jarrar, a prominent member of Addameer, who was liberated from the occupation’s prisons as part of the recent ceasefire deal.
Stories of Hope: Turning Dreams into Achievements
Our work is defined by the stories we help create. One client, who recently received asylum in the UK, expressed their gratitude: “You played a big role in that,” they wrote, reflecting the profound impact of our translations. Another success involved an elderly couple from Gaza who, thanks to our services, secured immigrant visas to the United States.
These stories remind us why we persist. Each success fuels our determination to continue transforming aspirations into reality.
A Tribute to Collective Achievement
With 2024 now behind us, we extend our deepest gratitude to the Arabic team, our partners, our donors, and the communities who trust us with their stories. Together, we have proven that demanding the impossible can yield extraordinary outcomes.
With steadfast determination, we move forward—envisioning the day we celebrate a free Palestine and knowing that every project completed is another step toward justice and hope.
