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 embarking on a "multi-decade" recovery from the devastation of its civil war, according to Tjada McKenna, chief executive of Prosper Global, a major international aid organisation. Despite a growing sense of optimism among returning families, McKenna warns that international assistance being provided to Syria remains "woefully insufficient" for the scale of reconstruction required.
Speaking on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, she estimates the cost of reconstruction at around $216 billion, nearly ten times the size of Syria's 2024 economy. Millions of Syrians remain displaced, even as the World Bank highlights the massive scale of the task ahead. McKenna stresses that immediate priorities include restoring water and electricity networks, roads, hospitals, and schools, alongside creating jobs and livelihoods to enable people to return home.
However, Syria is entering its recovery at a challenging time for the global humanitarian system, with numerous conflicts and emergencies unfolding simultaneously. She points to Gaza as an example of how humanitarian needs persist and evolve during prolonged conflicts, particularly when basic infrastructure has been destroyed. The World Bank estimates that Sudan is also facing one of the world's most severe humanitarian emergencies, with millions in need of assistance.
McKenna acknowledges that international aid budgets are being reduced, which could have significant consequences for Syria. While there is hope that the lifting of Western sanctions could lead to increased foreign investment, the scale of reconstruction and competing emergencies worldwide mean that Syria's transition from humanitarian relief to economic recovery will take considerable time.
McKenna's organisation continues to provide emergency assistance to displaced Syrians, but is increasingly focusing on long-term recovery efforts such as restoring water infrastructure and supporting agriculture and livelihoods.
Written by urgent.news from The National UAE's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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