People cross the border between Lebanon and Syria. UN agency heads: ‘Syria is at a turning point’ Economic development
More than 1.6 million people have returned to Syria over the past year after fleeing years of war. With the massive return, the need for housing, government services and jobs has increased dramatically. This was stated by the Administrator of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Alexander De Croo, speaking in Damascus at a joint press conference with the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher.
According to him, Syria is now at a “turning point.” If people are not provided with normal living conditions, many may refuse to return, the head of the UNDP warned.
De Croo also said that the consequences of the crisis in Iran “effectively reverse the progress that has been made.” He recalled the UNDP assessment that the crisis around Iran could set back the region’s development by about a year and a half, with economic losses of over $190 billion and more than four million people falling below the poverty line. assistance.
For his part, Tom Fletcher said that the Syria Humanitarian Plan for 2026 envisages a transition from emergency assistance to support for development and long-term recovery, including infrastructure projects, strengthening socio-economic resilience, and demining areas.
Fletcher said that in the last three years alone In a week, 200 thousand people arrived from Lebanon to Syria. Most of them are Syrians. However, approximately 25,000 of the arrivals are Lebanese fleeing fighting in Lebanon, as well as Palestinians. “Many of these people have been forced to leave their homes for the umpteenth time,” said the UN representative. “And although the Syrian authorities are striving to create conditions that would allow the closure of refugee camps, we are dealing with significant numbers [of a new wave of refugees].”