More than a month has passed since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria, marking the end of a 13-year revolution. This event brought hope to me and to millions of Syrians who have been fighting for justice, freedom and dignity for a long time.
A lot has changed in just a few weeks. After years of being prevented from having a presence in most of Syria, Syria Relief/Action For Humanity, the humanitarian organization I work for, has finally established an official office in Damascus. A colleague who spent most of his life in Turkey is excited to return to his home in the Syrian capital and rebuild his life there.
One of my close friends who had not seen his family in Syria for over a decade was able to travel to his hometown of Homs and reunite with his loved ones. Personally, I am looking forward to showing my children – who were all 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, there is also the realization of the enormous challenges that lie ahead. The reality of the current socioeconomic situation in Syria is terrifying.
The past 13 years of unspeakable suffering, destruction and displacement cannot be erased overnight. Critical infrastructure, including roads, electricity and water supply, has been decimated. The economy is in shambles while trade and supply chains remain disrupted.
The Syrian education system is in a state of near collapse in many parts of the country as many schools have either been destroyed or are still being used as shelters for internally displaced people. According to UNICEF, more than 2.4 million children do not attend school, and another million are at risk of dropping out. This increases the likelihood of negative coping mechanisms, such as child labor and child marriage.
Education – especially at the primary and secondary levels – should be prioritized to prevent the loss of an entire generation to illiteracy. It is also important to note that universities are significantly affected with many damaged facilities and students are forced to abandon their studies.
Landmines and other explosive remnants of war are another significant obstacle to Syria’s recovery. The danger they represent is great, especially for children. In the past month alone, there have been at least 80 people – including 12 children killed due to mine-related incidents.
Half of Syria’s population now lives in mine-contaminated areas. As displaced people begin to return home, the dangers posed by these explosives cannot be ignored.
Meanwhile, external interventions and foreign interference continue to fuel instability and hotbeds of violence persist.
In light of all this, I am deeply concerned about the decision by several countries hosting Syrian refugees to suspend asylum applications. Make no mistake – Syrians want nothing more than to return to their country. It is our home and we long to participate in its restoration.
But Syria is not yet ready for a large-scale comeback. Host countries must wait until return is safe, dignified and sustainable. In the meantime, they should allow Syrians to return temporarily to assess the situation without fear of being denied re-entry.
In order to make Syria suitable for the mass return of refugees, there are a number of areas where outside help is needed.
First, international donors must mobilize additional funds to meet Syria’s urgent humanitarian needs. As of 2024, 16.7 million people needed assistance, which is the highest number since the beginning of the conflict in 2011.
Funds are needed to address food shortages, support the return of IDPs to their homes, and provide basic shelter and health services.
Local and national organizations that have proven their effectiveness on the ground must be prioritized in the allocation of resources with flexible mechanisms that enable an adaptive response to the ever-changing situation.
Second, the education of Syrian children must be a priority. Establishing safe learning spaces for children is critical to prevent an entire generation from losing access to education.
Third, Syria needs help in the process of political rehabilitation. Hundreds of thousands of people suffered political violence under the previous regime. Survivors of torture and enforced disappearances must receive specialized care, and compensation must be provided to the families of the missing and deceased.
Syria also needs international cooperation to ensure justice for the crimes committed by the al-Assad regime, either through international courts or transitional justice mechanisms. Such efforts are critical to maintaining accountability.
Fourth, economic recovery cannot continue while Syria is under sanctions. There must be diplomatic engagement with the transitional authorities in Damascus and a reassessment of economic constraints. Sanctions are stifling the delivery of humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts.
Fifth, Syria needs help in removing mines and unexploded ordnance. This is a key step in ensuring the safety of displaced Syrians who want to return to their homes.
It is important for me to emphasize that the Syrians do not want to remain in a state of emergency and dependent on aid; we are ready for renovation and development.
After years of darkness, we can finally see the light. The future of Syria is in our hands, but the solidarity and cooperation of the global community is essential in order to meet the urgent challenges. Together, we can help Syria rebuild itself so that it can become stronger, more inclusive and fairer than ever before.
The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of Al Jazeera.
