Enab Baladi – Jana al-Issa
The issue of rebuilding Syria has emerged as one of the foremost topics recently raised in the context of Syria’s recovery. All government, international, and humanitarian stakeholders emphasize that it is the first cornerstone for securing a dignified life for Syrians and ensuring the continued return of displaced persons from abroad.
Although the fall of the ousted Assad regime is supposed to accelerate at least the planning for reconstruction projects, this issue faces several obstacles, the most prominent of which is the ongoing US sanctions imposed on Syria, in addition to the vast needs of the country across various sectors.
Following the flight of the regime’s president, Bashar al-Assad, many countries and international organizations announced their readiness to contribute to the reconstruction process, but these pledges have yet to see the light of day.
There is no clear cost for rebuilding Syria, and according to figures recently released by the United Nations, the cost ranges between $250 billion and $400 billion. More than half of the Syrian population remains displaced inside and outside the country, with 90% of the population living below the poverty line. By 2024, 16.7 million people, or three out of every four people in Syria, are expected to rely on humanitarian aid.
The head of the Harmoon Center for Contemporary Studies, Samir Seifan, estimated the material cost of rebuilding Syria at $150 billion, emphasizing the necessity of lifting economic sanctions to pave the way for these efforts.
Seifan added during his participation in a seminar on the transitional situation in Syria that “$150 billion is a very large number, which pertains to material reconstruction. However, there are also costs for social reconstruction. There are efforts and dialogues with people to return them to their homes, as a large number of them have been displaced to other places.”
Urgent call
On March 25, the United Nations issued a call to the international community for urgent action to invest in the reconstruction and development of Syria.
UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, stated that expanding access to basic services will be a crucial element in facilitating the return of Syrian refugees to their homeland, stressing the need to intensify international efforts to support Syria’s recovery and reconstruction. He noted that the country is going through a critical phase that requires a swift and effective response.
The UN official highlighted four main points regarding supporting the UN’s approach in Syria: humanitarian response, funding, civilian protection, and investment in reconstruction, praising the measures taken by the Syrian government to simplify aid procedures and collaborate with the UN.
Fletcher confirmed that Western sanctions and restrictions imposed on Syria hinder the reconstruction process, considering that the international community has an opportunity to make decisive decisions to support the Syrians who deserve “the chance to build a peaceful, prosperous, and inclusive future.”
Governmentally: In the census stage
Regarding the issue of reconstruction, the Ministry of Local Administration and Environment in the interim government in Damascus stated that it has put plans in place to assess the scale of destruction in Syria, paving the way for the commencement of rebuilding homes destroyed by the previous Syrian regime’s bombardment and its allies.
Minister of Local Administration and Environment, Mohamed Muslim, stated on January 2 that a tremendous level of destruction has been recorded across all Syrian provinces, whether in cities, villages, or rural areas, through preliminary aerial surveys of several devastated areas.
Muslim added to the Syrian news agency (SANA), “We are still in the stage of assessing all sectors that need reconstruction, noting that the previous regime did not conduct any accurate census of the provinces previously.” He clarified that the ministry would rely on specialized professional teams for the assessment and would incorporate them into practical workshops to begin accurate assessment in all provinces for various damaged facilities that require reconstruction.
The Ministry of Local Administration confirmed its intention to establish a clear database regarding the scale of destruction, as well as set plans and objectives that correspond to it for the upcoming phase, with the aim of ensuring a safe return for displaced individuals.
What is the source of funding?
Regarding the sources of funding for the reconstruction of Syria, economic researcher Seifan pointed out that the first keys to reconstruction relate to achieving stability in Syria and lifting economic sanctions, as well as restoring diplomatic relations to their normal state with regional and global countries.
He added, “After that, the sources of funding for reconstruction will be diverse. Some may come in the form of assistance from friendly countries or as grants, but we do not expect very large numbers.”
He noted that Syria could borrow from international institutions, and there would not be very large loans since loans require guarantees.
Regarding the necessary actions for the Syrian government to secure funding for reconstruction, economic researcher at the Omran Center for Strategic Studies, Manaf Quman, believes that cooperation with Syria’s allies, such as Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Germany, in executing specific direct investments in infrastructure and energy in exchange for long-term contracts could help facilitate this.
According to Quman’s statements to Enab Baladi, it is also possible to steer away from Europe and head east toward China, Japan, South Korea, and India, and work with them along their own pathways and visions, such as the Belt and Road Initiative and similar projects.
China could invest in Syrian ports or transport networks, and the option for indirect negotiations with the West remains always open through intermediaries, so the government could seek to ease sanctions in exchange for political concessions or guarantees concerning regional stability.
The issue is that the need is vast, and the internal resources of the state from taxes, tourism, natural resources, and real estate may not suffice to meet the large local need for reconstruction.
Manaf Quman, Economic researcher
Professor and lecturer at the Faculty of Economics at Gaziantep University in Turkey, Salah al-Din al-Jassem, stated to Enab Baladi that reconstruction is not just about rebuilding buildings and facilities; it is about creating a sustainable economic environment that ensures the stability of public services in the long term.
Basic infrastructure such as electricity, water, roads, and bridges is the backbone of any developmental process because it enables hospitals and schools to operate and helps in reactivating the economy, which ultimately leads to providing sufficient financial resources to support education and health sustainably, according to al-Jassem’s statements.
Al-Jassem agrees with researcher Manaf Quman that the government can move through multiple pathways, including enhancing partnerships with friendly countries and non-Western financial institutions, such as banks and investment funds in Asia and the Gulf, and encouraging foreign direct investment by offering incentives and legal guarantees to investors.
The government can also seek innovative financing solutions, such as issuing developmental bonds specifically for reconstruction and activating public-private partnerships to implement strategic projects without relying solely on government financing.
Priority for electricity
Establishing a hierarchy for various vital sectors is a significant point of debate in reconstruction strategies. However, it can be argued that it is essential to adopt a balanced approach that considers the basic needs of the population while also revitalizing the economy, according to economics professor Salah al-Din al-Jassem.
In this context, basic infrastructure (electricity, water, roads, bridges) comes at the forefront of priorities, according to al-Jassem, followed by productive sectors such as agriculture and industry, which provide direct job opportunities and support food and economic security.
Next is the housing sector, where plans must be developed to rehabilitate affected areas according to sustainable housing policies. Finally, public services such as education and health, which are essential for empowering human capital and enhancing social stability, come last.
For his part, economic researcher Manaf Quman believes that the sectors of electricity, water, and transport should be prioritized in the upcoming construction and reconstruction phase. Without energy, clean water, and a road network, no sector can operate, and residents won’t be able to live and work as needed. Supporting electricity will lead to supporting hospitals and factories and will help stimulate the production wheel.
The second sector that should be included in the reconstruction process is health and education, as hospitals and schools are of great priority for ensuring the stability of the population, preventing the spread of diseases, ensuring children return to school, and stabilizing the community in the long term while providing opportunities for new generations.
The third sector, in Quman’s opinion, could involve restoring agricultural lands and operating factories to provide job opportunities. As for housing, the return of refugees from abroad can be postponed until the towns and villages that have been extensively destroyed are reconstructed and adequate housing is secured, along with building temporary housing for displaced individuals in camps.
Housing beyond government capacity
Due to years of war, many Syrians have lost their homes and property, which is why they view reconstruction from an individual perspective, where the need for housing becomes a top priority for them. Moreover, most citizens do not realize that reconstruction is a comprehensive economic process involving infrastructure, productive sectors, and public services, not just the rebuilding of homes. Thus, there is often a mistaken perception among many Syrians that reconstruction funds will focus on repairing their damaged houses.
Al-Jassem added that from this standpoint, the government should play a clear educational role in this context. It should establish flexible housing policies that include affordable loans and supported financing programs for rehabilitating private housing, alongside providing organized housing alternatives.
The government can collaborate with donor agencies to direct some assistance toward rehabilitating the most affected residential communities. However, this should occur within a comprehensive framework that does not conflict with national reconstruction priorities. Additionally, transparency in managing funding and involving citizens in understanding the mechanisms of spending these funds will contribute to building trust and supporting the stability of the upcoming phase of economic recovery in Syria.
Salah al-Din al-Jassem, Professor at the Faculty of Economics at Gaziantep University
International organizations and, subsequently, the government will not be able to assist those whose homes have been affected by bombing and war over the past 14 years, given the priority for severely dilapidated infrastructure sectors.
Economic researcher Manaf Quman confirmed that international aid is usually provided for major projects and is primarily given to government programs. The government’s role may be to create programs for distributing assistance to the most affected families or to provide affordable loans for rebuilding, and building materials can be secured at subsidized prices for residents.
Reconstruction differs from relief assistance distributed in neighboring countries. The approach to reconstruction involves the government, which ultimately decides on the mechanisms of expenditure.
Manaf Quman, Economic researcher
Priorities and obstacles of rebuilding Syria Enab Baladi.
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