Syrians are ready to rebuild their country, but they need solidarity

The fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria, which occurred a little over a month ago, marks the end of a 13-year revolution. This event has brought hope to me and millions of Syrians who have long fought for justice, freedom, and dignity.

In just a few short weeks, much has changed. Syrian relief/humanitarian organizations, including the one I work for, which had been banned from operating in much of Syria for years, have finally established a formal office in Damascus. A colleague who had lived in Turkey for many years was overjoyed to be able to return to his home in the Syrian capital to rebuild his life.

A close friend of mine, who had not seen his family in Syria for over a decade, was able to return to his hometown of Homs and reunite with his loved ones. I personally am also looking forward to showing my children – all of whom were born in Turkey – a Syria that is very different from the one I grew up in.

Amidst the immense joy of seeing our country free and at peace, we also recognize the huge challenges that lie ahead. The current socio-economic reality in Syria is daunting.

The unspeakable suffering, destruction, and displacement of the past 13 years cannot be erased overnight. Critical infrastructure, including roads, electrical grids, and water pipes, has been destroyed. The economy is also in shambles, as trade and supply chains remain disrupted.

Syria’s education system is on the verge of collapse in many parts of the country, with many schools either destroyed or still being used as shelters for internally displaced persons. According to UNICEF, over 2.4 million children are out of school, and another one million are at risk of dropping out. This increases the likelihood of negative coping mechanisms such as child labor and child marriage.

Education, particularly primary and secondary education, needs to be prioritized to prevent an entire generation from losing their future to illiteracy. Equally important, universities have also been severely affected, with many facilities damaged and students forced to abandon their studies.

Landmines and other explosive remnants of war are another major obstacle to Syria’s recovery. The danger they pose is horrific, especially for children. In the past month alone, at least 80 people, including 12 children, have been killed in landmine-related incidents.

Half of Syria’s population now lives in areas contaminated by landmines. As displaced people begin to return to their homes, the danger posed by these explosives cannot be ignored.

Meanwhile, external intervention and foreign interference continue to exacerbate instability, and sporadic violence persists.

In light of all of this, I am deeply disturbed by the decisions of some countries hosting Syrian refugees to suspend asylum applications. Please make no mistake – what Syrians want most is to return to their country. It is our home, and we are eager to participate in its rebuilding.

But Syria is not yet ready for mass returns. Host countries must wait until returns can be safe, dignified, and sustainable. In the meantime, they should allow Syrians to temporarily return to assess the situation without fear of being denied re-entry.

For Syria to be suitable for the mass return of refugees, it needs external support in a number of areas.

First, international donors must mobilize more resources to meet Syria’s urgent humanitarian needs. As of 2024, 16.7 million people are in need of assistance, the highest number since the conflict began in 2011.

Funding is needed to address food shortages, support the return of internally displaced persons to their homes, and provide essential shelter and healthcare.

In the allocation of funds, priority must be given to local and national organizations that have already demonstrated their effectiveness on the ground, and flexible mechanisms must be adopted to allow for adaptive responses to changing circumstances.

Second, the education of Syrian children must be prioritized. Establishing safe learning spaces for children is essential to prevent an entire generation from losing access to education.

Third, Syria needs help with the political reconstruction process. Under the previous regime, hundreds of thousands of people suffered political violence. Survivors of torture and forced disappearances must receive specialized care, and families of the missing and dead must be compensated.

Syria also needs international cooperation to ensure fair trials for the crimes committed by the Assad regime, whether through international courts or transitional justice mechanisms. These efforts are essential for upholding accountability.

Fourth, economic recovery cannot take place while Syria remains under sanctions. Diplomatic engagement with the transitional authorities in Damascus is necessary, and economic restrictions must be re-evaluated. Sanctions are hindering the delivery of humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts.

Fifth, Syria needs help to clear landmines and unexploded ordnance. This is a critical step in ensuring the safety of displaced Syrians who hope to return to their homes.

For me, it is important to emphasize that Syrians do not want to remain in a state of emergency and dependent on aid; we are ready to rebuild and develop.

After years of darkness, we are finally seeing light. Syria’s future is in our hands, but the solidarity and cooperation of the global community are essential if we are to address the urgent challenges. Working together, we can help rebuild Syria to be stronger, more inclusive, and more just than ever before.