It has been greater than a month since Bashar al-Assad’s regime collapsed in Syria, marking the tip of a 13-year-long revolution. This occasion introduced hope to me and hundreds of thousands of Syrians who’ve lengthy struggled for justice, freedom and dignity.
In only a few weeks, loads has modified. After being prevented from having a presence in most of Syria for years, Syria Reduction/Motion For Humanity, the humanitarian organisation I work for, lastly established a proper workplace in Damascus. A colleague who had spent a lot of his life in Turkiye is happy to return to his residence within the Syrian capital and rebuild his life there.
Considered one of my shut associates who hadn’t seen his household inside Syria for greater than a decade was in a position to journey to his hometown of Homs and reunite along with his family members. I, personally, look ahead to displaying my kids – all born in Turkiye – a Syria very totally different from the one I grew up in.
Amid the overwhelming pleasure of seeing our nation free and at peace, there’s additionally the realisation of the immense challenges which can be mendacity forward. The realities of Syria’s present socioeconomic scenario are daunting.
The previous 13 years of untold struggling, destruction and displacement can’t be erased in a single day. Vital infrastructure, together with roads, the ability grid and water pipelines, has been decimated. The economic system is in tatters as commerce and provide chains stay disrupted.
Syria’s schooling system stands in a state of close to collapse in lots of elements of the nation as many faculties are both destroyed or nonetheless used as shelters for the internally displaced. Based on UNICEF, greater than 2.4 million kids are out of faculty, and one other 1 million are susceptible to dropping out. This will increase the probability of detrimental coping mechanisms, akin to little one labour and little one marriage.
Schooling – particularly on the main and secondary ranges – is in want of prioritisation to forestall the lack of a complete technology to illiteracy. It is very important additionally word that universities have been considerably affected with many services broken and college students pressured to desert their research.
Landmines and different explosive remnants of the conflict are one other vital hurdle to Syria’s restoration. The hazard they pose is dire, particularly to kids. Prior to now month alone, at the least 80 folks – together with 12 kids – have been killed attributable to mine-related incidents.
Half of Syria’s inhabitants now lives in areas contaminated with landmines. As displaced folks start to return residence, the hazards posed by these explosives can’t be ignored.
In the meantime, exterior interventions and international interference proceed to gas instability, and pockets of violence persist.
Given all this, I’m deeply troubled by the choice of a number of international locations internet hosting Syrian refugees to droop asylum purposes. Make no mistake – Syrians need nothing greater than to return to their nation. It’s our residence, and we lengthy to be a part of rebuilding it.
However Syria isn’t but ready for large-scale returns. Host international locations should wait till returns could be secure, dignified and sustainable. Within the meantime, they need to permit Syrians to return briefly to evaluate the scenario with out concern of being denied re-entry.
For Syria to develop into appropriate for the mass return of refugees, there are a selection of areas by which it wants outdoors help.
First, worldwide donors should mobilise extra assets to fulfill Syria’s pressing humanitarian wants. As of 2024, 16.7 million folks had been in want of help, the best quantity for the reason that begin of the battle in 2011.
Funds are wanted to deal with meals shortages, help the return of internally displaced folks to their houses, and supply important shelter and well being companies.
Native and nationwide organisations which have confirmed their effectiveness on the bottom should be prioritised within the distribution of funding with versatile mechanisms that permit for an adaptive response to the continuously altering scenario.
Second, the schooling of Syria’s kids should be prioritised. Establishing secure studying areas for youngsters is significant to forestall a complete technology from dropping entry to schooling.
Third, Syria wants assist in the political rehabilitation course of. Tons of of 1000’s of individuals have suffered political violence below the earlier regime. Survivors of torture and enforced disappearances should obtain specialised care, and reparations should be supplied to the households of the disappeared and deceased.
Syria additionally wants worldwide cooperation to safe justice for the crimes dedicated by al-Assad’s regime, whether or not by means of worldwide courts or transitional justice mechanisms. Such efforts are essential for upholding accountability.
Fourth, an financial restoration can’t proceed whereas Syria stays below sanctions. There should be diplomatic engagement with the transitional authorities in Damascus and a reassessment of financial restrictions. Sanctions stifle the supply of humanitarian assist and reconstruction efforts.
Fifth, Syria wants help in landmine clearance and the removing of unexploded ordnance. It is a essential step in making certain the security of displaced Syrians who need to return to their houses.
It is crucial for me to emphasize that Syrians don’t need to stay in a state of emergency and assist dependency; we’re prepared for reconstruction and improvement.
After years of darkness, we will lastly see the sunshine. Syria’s future is in our fingers, however solidarity and cooperation from the worldwide group are important so we will deal with pressing challenges. Collectively, we might help Syria rebuild, so it may well emerge stronger, extra inclusive and extra simply than ever earlier than.
The views expressed on this article are the creator’s personal and don’t essentially mirror Al Jazeera’s editorial stance.
