Syria faces 'multi-decade' recovery but current aid is insufficient, warns charity chief
Syria faces a “multi-decade” recovery from the destruction of its civil war , even as returning families show striking optimism about rebuilding their lives, the head of a major international aid organisation has told The National. Tjada McKenna, chief executive of Prosper Global, formerly Mercy Corps, said international assistance reaching Syria remains “woefully insufficient” for the scale of…
Syria is facing a lengthy recovery from its civil war, with international assistance currently deemed inadequate for the required reconstruction, according to Tjada McKenna, CEO of Prosper Global. In an interview with The National, McKenna expressed concern that the rebuilding process would span multiple decades. She travelled across Syria from Aleppo to Damascus, witnessing extensive damage to homes and infrastructure despite a growing sense of optimism among Syrians about rebuilding their lives.
The World Bank estimates the cost of Syria's reconstruction at around $216 billion, nearly ten times the size of the country's 2024 economy. Millions of Syrians remain displaced even as more return home following the fall of Bashar Al Assad in December 2024. McKenna emphasized that immediate priorities include restoring water and electricity networks, roads, hospitals, and schools, alongside creating jobs and livelihoods.
However, Syria is beginning its recovery during a particularly challenging time for the international humanitarian system. McKenna highlighted the unprecedented level of need in the world, coupled with a growing level of apathy, as international aid budgets are being reduced. She pointed to Gaza as an example of how humanitarian needs persist and evolve during prolonged conflicts, particularly when basic infrastructure has been destroyed.
Despite heavy Israeli restrictions and continued strikes, water quality and sewage systems remain major concerns among Palestinians living in tents.
Prosper Global continues providing immediate assistance in Gaza, including delivering clean water and cash support. However, McKenna emphasized that humanitarian organizations are also working to help Palestinians maintain livelihoods during the crisis. The NGO operates in several conflict zones, including Sudan and Yemen, where millions are in dire need of assistance amid ongoing conflicts and economic deterioration.
McKenna expressed worry about her team, as 90% of Prosper Global's staff live and work in the communities they serve, requiring resilience and strength to persist. While there is hope for greater foreign investment in Syria with the lifting of Western sanctions, McKenna noted that the scale of reconstruction combined with competing emergencies around the world will likely prolong the transition from humanitarian relief to economic recovery.
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