Currently the eyes of the world are focused on the Gaza peace deal and the Hamas hostages who have finally been reunited with their families in Israel. With thoughts now turning to what happens next.
These issues understandably dominate the western news agenda, but it’s important that governments also pay attention to other countries struggling with the horrific impacts of war as they struggle to rebuild homes, businesses and infrastructure.
The situation in Syria, for example, remains bleak. Since the collapse of the Assad dictatorship, the interim Islamic HTS government has been focussed on attracting Foreign Direct Investment to start rebuilding the country. However, there is still a long way to go.
During the civil war, over 14 million Syrians were forced to flee their homes in search of safety. Around seven million of these refugees are displaced within Syria and it’s estimated 328,000 homes were destroyed, with entire towns reduced to rubble.
The European Union is debating whether it is time for these refugees to return – or indeed be forced to return – to post-Assad Syria. For example, discussions around the forced deportation of those persons who pose a security risk or are convicted criminals are taking place, but consideration must also be paid to those who have voluntarily returned to Syria.
The EU has pledged €175 million to support Syria’s social and economic recovery and has lifted sanctions to try and help get the business economy back on track.
However, in reality it is still not safe enough for refugees to go back on a large scale: humanitarian aid is desperately needed, the medical sector is on its knees, 90% of people in Syria are living under the poverty line, one in four are jobless, critical infrastructure, including roads, the power grid and water pipelines, has been decimated and the economy is in tatters.
The education system is also a cause for concern. According to UNICEF, more than 2.4 million children are out of school, increasing the likelihood of child labour and forced child marriage.
The World Food Programme estimates 9.1 million people in Syria do not have enough food to eat, with maternal malnutrition and acute malnutrition in children under 5 at global emergency levels. The cost of living has tripled over the past three years, with the minimum wage buying only a fifth of a family’s basic food needs and a tenth of essential needs.
So, what needs to happen to make it safe for refugees to return? Most importantly the United States must follow the EU by lifting sanctions and removing the 41% tariff on Syrian imports. This will allow experienced business people who want to return to their home country and help it from the inside to do so.
The next step is granting import and export licenses to Syrian companies. This can get money moving again and encourage much needed foreign investment.
Basic needs also need to be met. Shortages of things like food are commonplace and so particular attention must be paid to Syria’s once thriving agriculture industry, which will in turn begin to help tackle famine. Pre-war, farming contributed 18% of the GDP, provided employment and export opportunities, as well as feeding Syrians. Returning to that number as quickly as possible is a sensible starting point.
Many millions of Syrian refugees desperately want to go home but a lack of professional business leaders means it is very unlikely the country will be ready any time soon. It is time the US looked at the bigger picture and considered easing sanctions on those who could help the rebuild process most.
