Rebuilding Syria Crucial for Regional Stability: UN Official
Swift reconstruction needed to address infrastructure needs and stabilize the region after years of conflict.
GENEVA - After fourteen years of destruction, rebuilding Syria is essential for both national recovery and regional stability, according to a top United Nations (UN) official in the war-torn country.
This assessment comes on the heels of the overthrow of longstanding ruler Bashar al-Assad in December last year, marking a new chapter for Syria's Islamist authorities.
The UN Development Programme’s deputy representative in Syria, Rawhi Afaghani, emphasized the urgency of international intervention to facilitate Syria’s reconstruction.
According to him, helping the country rebound from devastation is not only a matter of national interest but also crucial for regional stability and security.
The Syrian civil war, which began in 2011 with government repression of anti-government protests, has resulted in over half a million fatalities and widespread destruction of infrastructure.
The World Bank estimates that Syria's post-war reconstruction could require up to $216 billion worth of investments.
Afaghani outlined the immense needs for rebuilding housing, schools, healthcare facilities, and basic services such as electricity and water across the country.
Additionally, there is an urgent need to clear vast amounts of unexploded ordnance scattered throughout the nation, particularly within the mountains of rubble that still remain from the conflict.
Despite these challenges, nearly one million Syrian refugees have already returned from abroad, with almost double that number returning to their original places of residence within Syria.
While these returns are encouraging signs of progress, they also put significant pressure on the country's fragile infrastructure and services.
This strain could lead to increased community tensions as people return to damaged or contested homes.
The UN official highlighted that a lack of infrastructure, services, and employment opportunities is discouraging many Syrians from returning home, particularly those considering returns from Europe where conditions are often more favorable than in neighboring countries such as Jordan and Lebanon.
Afaghani expressed hope that swift reconstruction efforts could lead to a stable Syria which would attract further returns, especially from high-skilled individuals who could contribute significantly to rebuilding the nation and fostering economic and peace-building initiatives throughout the region.
This assessment comes on the heels of the overthrow of longstanding ruler Bashar al-Assad in December last year, marking a new chapter for Syria's Islamist authorities.
The UN Development Programme’s deputy representative in Syria, Rawhi Afaghani, emphasized the urgency of international intervention to facilitate Syria’s reconstruction.
According to him, helping the country rebound from devastation is not only a matter of national interest but also crucial for regional stability and security.
The Syrian civil war, which began in 2011 with government repression of anti-government protests, has resulted in over half a million fatalities and widespread destruction of infrastructure.
The World Bank estimates that Syria's post-war reconstruction could require up to $216 billion worth of investments.
Afaghani outlined the immense needs for rebuilding housing, schools, healthcare facilities, and basic services such as electricity and water across the country.
Additionally, there is an urgent need to clear vast amounts of unexploded ordnance scattered throughout the nation, particularly within the mountains of rubble that still remain from the conflict.
Despite these challenges, nearly one million Syrian refugees have already returned from abroad, with almost double that number returning to their original places of residence within Syria.
While these returns are encouraging signs of progress, they also put significant pressure on the country's fragile infrastructure and services.
This strain could lead to increased community tensions as people return to damaged or contested homes.
The UN official highlighted that a lack of infrastructure, services, and employment opportunities is discouraging many Syrians from returning home, particularly those considering returns from Europe where conditions are often more favorable than in neighboring countries such as Jordan and Lebanon.
Afaghani expressed hope that swift reconstruction efforts could lead to a stable Syria which would attract further returns, especially from high-skilled individuals who could contribute significantly to rebuilding the nation and fostering economic and peace-building initiatives throughout the region.
