During a visit to seven of Syria’s fourteen governorates last October, Syrians expressed that their greatest needs were access to health services, education, housing, and employment. After over a decade of conflict, approximately 7.4 million people remain internally displaced, and 1.2 million refugees who have returned lack the means to sustain livelihoods. Support from the international community, alongside national efforts, is essential to help these populations rebuild and achieve long-term stability.
The most effective use of foreign assistance in Syria hinges on three interconnected pillars: infrastructure reconstruction, economic revitalization, and strengthened local governance. Syria is at a critical juncture where the focus must shift from meeting emergency needs to implementing sustainable developmental efforts, which are vital not only for the country but for regional peace and stability.
Infrastructure reconstruction is a fundamental step in recovery. Many cities have been devastated, with homes, hospitals, schools, roads, and power plants heavily damaged or destroyed. UNDP has led extensive debris removal efforts, clearing over 2.1 million cubic meters of rubble over the past decade and planning to remove an additional 550,000 cubic meters in four governorates. In northwest Syria, 257,000 metric tons of debris have been recycled for road rehabilitation and public spaces. Priorities for Syrians returning home include rebuilding shelters, restoring hospitals and schools, and repairing roads and power plants to reconnect communities and enable essential services.
Economic recovery is critical to reviving Syria’s population and markets. With GDP less than half of its pre-conflict level, high unemployment, and widespread poverty, Syrians need opportunities to earn a living. UNDP supports small and medium-sized enterprises through microfinance, subsidized loans, and credit guarantees, helping entrepreneurs, including women, restart businesses. Efforts also include encouraging foreign investment, developing value chains, and fostering business-to-business opportunities in collaboration with Syrian ministries and chambers of commerce.
Strengthening local governance is essential to ensure that reconstruction efforts are sustainable. Effective institutions are required to manage service delivery, including water, sanitation, electricity, health, and education. Local governments play a crucial role in enabling displaced populations to return to functional communities with livelihoods and access to basic services. Promoting social cohesion through community dialogues and mediation between government and local leaders is also necessary to rebuild trust and address longstanding divisions.
Syria’s recovery will require significant international support, with the World Bank estimating costs of up to $216 billion. Coordinated efforts in reconstruction, finance, and governance can help the country transition to sustainable development, benefiting not only its citizens but also the broader region. UNDP emphasizes that partnerships with the international community and the private sector are essential to support Syria’s recovery, ultimately contributing to a more peaceful, prosperous, and stable future.
