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

It’s been more than a month since the regime of Bashar al-Assad was overthrown in Syria, marking the end of a 13-year-long revolution. This event brings hope to me and millions of Syrians who have long struggled for justice, freedom and dignity.

A lot has changed in a few weeks. After years of being prevented from having a presence in much of Syria, Syria Relief/Action for Humanity, the humanitarian organization I work for, finally established a formal office in Damascus. A colleague who spent most of his life in Turkiye is excited to return home to the Syrian capital and restart his life there.

One of my close friends, who had not seen his family inside Syria in over a decade, was able to travel to his hometown of Homs and reconnect with his loved ones. I, personally, am eager to show my children – all born in Turkey – a Syria very different from the Syria I grew up in.

Amidst the immense joy of seeing our country free and at peace, there is also a realization of the enormous challenges that lie ahead. The realities of Syria’s current socio-economic situation are challenging.

The untold suffering, destruction and displacement of the last 13 years cannot be erased overnight. Critical infrastructure including roads, power grids and water pipelines has been destroyed. The economy has collapsed due to trade and supply chain disruptions.

Syria’s 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 persons. According to UNICEF, more than 2.4 million children are out of school, and another 1 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 – needs to be a priority to prevent the loss of an entire generation due to illiteracy. It is also important to note that universities have been significantly affected, with many facilities damaged and students forced to abandon their studies.

Landmines and other explosive remnants of war are another significant obstacle to Syria’s recovery. The danger they pose is terrible, especially for children. In the past month alone, at least 80 people have died due to mine-related incidents – including 12 children.

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

Meanwhile, external intervention and foreign interference are fueling instability and incidents of violence continue.

Given all this, I am deeply troubled by the decision by many countries hosting Syrian refugees to suspend asylum applications. Make no mistake – the Syrian people want nothing more than to return to their country. This is our home and we want to be a part of rebuilding it.

But Syria is still not ready for a large-scale withdrawal. Host countries should wait until returns are 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.

To make Syria suitable for a large-scale return of refugees, there are several areas in which it needs external support.

First, international donors must mobilize additional resources to meet Syria’s immediate humanitarian needs. By 2024, 16.7 million people were expected to need assistance, the highest number since the beginning of the conflict in 2011.

Funds are needed to address food shortages, assist the return of internally displaced people to their homes, and provide essential shelter and health services.

Local and national organizations that have proven their effectiveness on the ground should be prioritized in the distribution of funds with flexible mechanisms that allow adaptive response to the constantly changing situation.

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

Third, Syria needs help in the political rehabilitation process. Hundreds of thousands of people have faced political violence under the previous regime. Survivors of torture and enforced disappearance should receive special care, and compensation should be provided to the families of the disappeared and the dead.

Syria also needs international cooperation to secure justice for crimes committed by al-Assad’s regime, whether through international courts or transitional justice mechanisms. Such efforts are important to maintain accountability.

Fourth, economic recovery cannot occur as long as Syria remains under sanctions. There should be diplomatic engagement with the transitional authorities in Damascus and a reevaluation of economic sanctions. Sanctions hamper the delivery of humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts.

Fifth, Syria needs assistance in demining and removing unexploded ordnance. This is an important step towards ensuring the safety of displaced Syrians who wish to return to their homes.

It is important for me to emphasize that the Syrian people do not want to live in a state of emergency and aid dependency; We are ready to rebuild and develop.

After years of darkness, we can finally see the light. Syria’s future is in our hands, but solidarity and cooperation from the global community is essential so we can address the immediate challenges. Together, we can help rebuild Syria, so that it can emerge stronger, more inclusive and more just than ever before.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance of Al Jazeera.