UN-Habitat Chief of Staff Erfan Ali said the organization was working with the new Syrian government in rebuilding the war-torn country.
In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he said he was exerting great efforts to secure the necessary funding for projects.
Syria has lost 25 percent of its houses as a result of the war that erupted in 2011, he revealed, adding, however, that he was optimistic development can take place.
He has held “excellent” meetings with officials and there are “excellent signals” coming from the government and donors, he went on to say.
However, Ali stressed that the recovery and reconstruction process demands the consolidation of stability and the necessary political environment. It also demands openness and a fair transition.
The UN official had visited Damascus from February 11 to 15 to discuss ongoing and potential projects and efforts to secure their funding.
He told Asharq Al-Awsat that he met with six to seven donors and embassy officials. He confirmed that they will take part in the humanitarian conference organized by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) in Riyadh on February 24 and 25. Potential projects will be on the table at the event.
Ali also said that discussions are underway with international banks and other parties to secure funding for various projects in Syria.
He said that studies have taken place, but time is still needed to reach an accurate estimate of the cost of the reconstruction. Estimates have ranged between 400 and 500 billion dollars, but those figures could be far from the actual needs on the ground.
Syria has lost 25 percent of its homes, or around 1 million residential units have been destroyed or heavily damaged. There are immense challenges and great work to do, Ali added.
He stressed, however, that he was optimistic that donors will provide the needed funds given the ouster of the former regime. He noted the “good intentions” from the parties concerned and several partners have proposals over new projects in various regions, including Aleppo, Damascus, Hama and Idlib and their countrysides.
Ali said he would be very satisfied if 20 to 30 percent of the necessary funding is secured.
UN-Habitat has already been involved in Syria for several years through projects to rehabilitate infrastructure, most notably after the 2023 earthquake.
Furthermore, Ali spoke of major challenges that used to exist in securing funding for these projects given the restrictions and sanctions on the former regime.
Now, with its ouster, he said he was confident that funding will not be that difficult.
