Syria Faces Decades of Reconstruction as Aid Chief Warns Current Support Falls Woefully Short

Syria faces a multi-decade recovery following the devastation of its civil war, even as returning families show striking optimism about rebuilding their lives, according to the head of a major international aid organisation. Tjada McKenna, chief executive of Prosper Global, formerly Mercy Corps, stated that international assistance reaching Syria remains woefully insufficient for the vast scale of reconstruction required.

Speaking in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly high-level debate week, Ms McKenna projected that the rebuilding process would take decades. She noted that a much longer road lies ahead just to achieve complete rehabilitation. Her comments followed a journey across Syria from Aleppo through Idlib and on to Damascus, where she observed widespread destruction of homes and essential infrastructure alongside a growing optimism among local populations.

The World Bank has estimated the cost of Syria's reconstruction at approximately $216 billion, which is nearly 10 times the size of the nation's 2024 economy. Although increasing numbers of Syrians have returned home since the fall of Bashar Al Assad in December 2024, millions remain displaced. Restoring water and electricity networks, roads, hospitals, and schools represents an immediate priority, alongside creating jobs and livelihoods to facilitate further returns.

However, Syria's recovery begins at an exceptionally difficult moment for the global humanitarian system. Ms McKenna highlighted the unprecedented level of need driven by simultaneous conflicts worldwide, contrasted against widespread aid cuts and international apathy. Drawing parallels with Gaza, she noted how humanitarian needs persist during prolonged crises when basic infrastructure is destroyed, noting ongoing challenges with sewage, water quality, and shelter.

Prosper Global continues to provide emergency relief in Gaza, Sudan, Yemen, Ukraine, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In Sudan, severe humanitarian emergencies persist amid conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces, while Yemen continues to struggle with years of war and economic deterioration exacerbated by the Houthis' recent takeover of the western coast.

With international aid budgets shrinking, humanitarian organisations face the challenge of responding to greater needs with fewer resources. For Syria, this financial squeeze could significantly hinder its transition from humanitarian relief to economic recovery, a process that might have commanded a larger response if the war had concluded earlier.

Despite these challenges, Prosper Global continues to deliver emergency assistance such as cash support while shifting focus toward long-term recovery efforts, including the restoration of water infrastructure and agricultural support. The lifting of Western sanctions has raised hopes for increased foreign investment and broader participation from companies and suppliers. Meanwhile, staff on the ground continue to show remarkable resilience while serving their communities.