The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), supported by the Adaptation Fund and in partnership with Syrian ministries, inaugurated the Zibdeen Wastewater Treatment Plant in Eastern Ghouta, Rural Damascus. This project represents a significant step toward climate adaptation, sustainable water management, and livelihood recovery in Syria. Funded with US$4.89 million, the initiative included the rehabilitation of 2.1 kilometres of sewage networks and 50.7 kilometres of irrigation canals, ensuring efficient wastewater flow and safe reuse for agriculture. Together, these interventions establish a sustainable water management system that supports farmers, protects natural resources, and strengthens local resilience to climate change.
Officials at the inauguration highlighted the plant’s role in bolstering agriculture, supporting the local economy, and aligning with the governorate’s environmental and agricultural strategy. The facility is capable of treating over 4,000 cubic meters of wastewater daily, producing safe irrigation water for approximately 50,000 residents in surrounding communities. The project also created 260 short-term jobs during construction and 36 permanent positions for operation and maintenance, contributing to improved livelihoods, food security, and environmental protection while helping communities adapt to climate change and water scarcity.
UNDP emphasized the project as a strategic example of turning wastewater into a productive resource that revitalizes agriculture, encourages safe and dignified returns, and strengthens community livelihoods. The initiative reflects close cooperation among UN agencies, including UNDP, UN-Habitat, and FAO, leveraging their combined expertise in urban planning, natural resource management, and sustainable livelihoods to deliver complementary interventions that enhance water security and support agricultural recovery.
The Zibdeen plant is part of a broader programme addressing climate change resilience in Eastern Ghouta, integrating natural resource management and immediate adaptation measures. It demonstrates how climate action can drive recovery, restore ecosystems, and strengthen the livelihoods of agriculture-dependent communities. UNDP plans to expand similar climate-resilient water projects across Syria, ensuring innovation, sustainability, and community participation remain central to the country’s recovery efforts.
