Turkish Civil Society Groups Announce $154 Million in Projects to Support Syria's Rebuilding

Project Announcement in Istanbul

Turkish civil society organizations revealed that the total value of projects they have prepared to contribute to Syria's rebuilding has reached $154 million. The announcement was made at a press conference held at the headquarters of the Turkish Youth Foundation (TÜGVA) in the Eyüpsultan district of Istanbul, organized jointly by the Union of Civil Society Organizations in the Islamic World (İDSB) and the Turkish Voluntary Organizations Foundation (TGTV).

The event was convened to present findings from a field visit conducted by delegations of these organizations to Syria. Eyyüp Akbal, Secretary-General of İDSB, noted that some participating institutions had presented ten-year visions, while others submitted detailed plans for 2026. He added that the delegation observed a clear willingness among Syrian counterparts to cooperate and benefit from Turkish expertise.

Shifting from Relief to Sustainable Development

Akbal emphasized that the current phase demands moving beyond a purely humanitarian aid model. While meeting urgent needs remains essential, he argued that the priority must now center on transitioning from emergency relief to sustainable development. He stressed that rebuilding Syria requires empowering residents to recover within their own cities, supporting youth in accessing employment, integrating women into productive and social life, returning children to schools, and strengthening the social fabric.

He further stated that Syria's return as a stable state requires rebuilding infrastructure, launching job-creating investments, and establishing lasting security, affirming that a lasting solution runs through production, employment, and the building of a cohesive society.

Scale of Field Damage

The delegation reported that the consequences of the conflict extend well beyond physical destruction, encompassing severe damage to education, healthcare, employment, and public services. Akbal highlighted a persistent housing crisis, significant harm to educational infrastructure, limited access to health services across wide areas, and acute deficiencies in water, sanitation, roads, and telecommunications networks.

Plan to Close Northern Syria's Camps

Akbal reported that Syrian officials confirmed during meetings their intention to close all tent camps, particularly in northern Syria, and to enable displaced populations to return to their areas of origin. He noted that more than one million people continue to live in tents and temporary shelters, and that a plan is in place to gradually close these camps by 2027, facilitating the return of approximately 1.2 million people to their homes.

Calls for Coordinated Turkish Support

Hamza Akbulut, Chairman of the Board of Founders of TGTV, underscored the deep cultural ties binding Turkey and Syria, stating that Syria's challenges are a shared concern. He indicated that the delegation returned with the conviction that Syria requires comprehensive support across all sectors. İsmail Tuğral, President of the Foundation, called on the Turkish state, the business community, and civil society organizations to intensify their support for Syria, expressing hope that the visit would help accelerate the development process.