UNIW-TGTV Delegation Syria Field Visit

During the visit, meetings were held with the Syrian Ministry of Awqaf, the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the Consulate General of the Republic of Türkiye in Aleppo, the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Damascus, and local administrators. The discussions particularly focused on the “Tent-Free Syria” objective, strengthening education and healthcare infrastructure, vocational training projects for young people, and supporting the field activities of civil society organizations.

The İDSB delegation also met with orphaned children in the town of Darayya and conducted field assessments in areas affected by the war. The delegation reached an understanding with the relevant institutions on establishing joint working mechanisms that would contribute to Syria’s reconstruction and recovery process.

İDSB Delegation – Syria Field Visit Agenda

Visit Dates

13–16 April 2026

Visit Schedule

·         13 April 2026 – Aleppo

·         14–16 April 2026 – Damascus

Programme of the Visit

·         Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye in Damascus

·         Ministry of Awqaf

·         Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management

·         Syrian National Committee

·         Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates

·         Department of International Cooperation

·         Visits to official institutions

·         Field assessments

·         Meetings with civil society organizations

Presentations were delivered to the delegation by the Syrian National Committee under the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management and by the Department of International Cooperation of the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates.

Cities Visited and Route

Aleppo → Damascus → Daraa → Homs → Aleppo. Both arrival and departure were carried out by road via Aleppo.

Programme with Orphans

Wednesday, 15 April 2026 – Town of Darayya

Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye in Aleppo: Muammer Hakan Cengiz

Key Issues Highlighted During the Visit

Diversity of Regional Needs and Reconstruction

It was emphasized that, rather than applying a single assistance model across Syria, differentiated support strategies should be developed according to the level of destruction in each region, its demographic and ethnic composition, and the distinction between rural and urban areas. Depending on these factors, interventions should focus either on humanitarian assistance or on reconstruction and recovery.

Infrastructure, Agriculture and Trade

It was stated that the revival of trade and railway projects in Aleppo should be addressed within comprehensive master plans. The importance of supporting agricultural activities in this predominantly agricultural geography, together with microeconomic projects, was also underlined.

Logistical and Commercial Barriers

The inability of trucks departing from Türkiye—and therefore Turkish products—to enter Syria’s interior regions directly was identified as a significant transport and logistics problem requiring urgent resolution.

Education, Vocational Training and Youth

The education curriculum was identified as one of the foremost priorities. Vocational education is needed to help young people socialize, acquire skills and prepare for the future. It was proposed that young people could be brought to Türkiye during the summer to learn a trade, or that experienced craftsmen and trainers from Türkiye could travel to Syria to provide courses. Structural support, educational materials and integration programmes for returning children were also emphasized.

Countering Ideological Influence and Restoring Hope

It was stated that the negative effects created by fourteen years of PKK ideology in the field should be addressed effectively. Since a city can only be sustained by the people who live in it, instilling hope in local communities was described as vital.

Transferring Türkiye’s Post-Earthquake Reconstruction Experience

The reconstruction and recovery campaign undertaken by Türkiye following the earthquakes of 6 February was cited as a model that should be adapted to the conditions in Syria.

Cultural Heritage and the Role of Women

The restoration of Islamic heritage was listed among the priority areas. It was also emphasized that women should be enabled to participate much more actively and effectively through civil society organizations.

Public–Civil Society Cooperation and Bureaucratic Obstacles

Field operations should be carried out through cooperation between public institutions and civil society organizations. At the same time, it was observed that serious bureaucratic barriers continue to slow down the work of NGOs.

Syrian Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management

The delegation met with the Syrian Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management and senior ministry officials. Ministry representatives delivered a comprehensive presentation on the current situation in Syria, particularly the needs in devastated areas and planned infrastructure reconstruction. Current field needs were analysed in detail, short-, medium- and long-term strategies for reconstruction were shared, and opportunities for cooperation among public institutions, international actors and civil society stakeholders were assessed.

New Institutional Structure and Transfer of Türkiye’s Experience

A new ministry or institution has been established in Syria to bring civil defence, fire services and the 112 emergency service under a single umbrella. It was agreed that Türkiye’s experience in disaster management and the twenty-three-year “Health Transformation” programme implemented under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan would be shared with Syria.

Closure of Tent Cities and the 2027 Target

The continued existence of tent cities was identified as one of the greatest obstacles to Syria’s development and economic recovery. The gradual closure of all tent cities by the end of 2027 has been set as a strategic objective. Approximately two million displaced people who remain economically inactive are expected to return to their hometowns and participate in the economy. A special executive committee was established by Presidential Decree No. 59 to manage the process and prepare the necessary infrastructure.

Sustainable Return and Agricultural Development

Field surveys indicate that people are unable to return home because their houses have been destroyed, essential services such as schools, hospitals, water and sewerage are unavailable, employment opportunities are lacking, and war remnants—including rubble and mines—remain. The formula “Services + Employment Opportunities + Social Trust + Coordination” was adopted as the basis for sustainable return. Syria’s agricultural character was emphasized, and priority will be given to mine-clearance projects so that idle agricultural land can be brought back into production.

Urban Development, Briquette Housing and Cooperation with ITU

Briquette houses and settlement areas previously built in northern Syria will be subjected to geological and infrastructure assessments. Safe areas will be modernized and transformed into new administrative centres, while temporary settlements that are severely deteriorated or create security vulnerabilities will be demolished. Engineers and architects from Istanbul Technical University’s Urban Studies Centre offered full support for post-crisis urban planning, smart cities and permanent housing solutions. A workshop was planned in Aleppo in June, and Syrian officials were invited.

Civil Society Contributions and Funding Plans

Short-, medium- and long-term plans have been prepared for Syria’s reconstruction, and it was stated that the overall value of the proposed projects amounts to USD 154 million. Support mechanisms were discussed to accelerate the official registration and licensing of organizations wishing to work in areas such as education and development.

Daraa Governorate

The meeting was held at the Daraa Governorate building with the Governor of Daraa, deputy governors and senior officials. The governorate authorities delivered a presentation to the delegation.

Current Situation and Principal Challenges in Daraa

Daraa, described as the “cradle of the revolution,” suffered extensive destruction during the war, and much of its infrastructure was devastated. Bordering Israel and Suwayda, Daraa is regarded as the first line of defence against Iranian and Israeli projects in the region.

Healthcare Sector

Only one central hospital, eight secondary hospitals and 105 health centres remain in the city, and most require repair. Essential medical equipment, including MRI scanners, dialysis machines and cardiology devices, is unavailable. Cardiac patients are forced to travel to Damascus for treatment, and some lose their lives during the journey.

Education Sector

Before the war, Daraa had 960 schools. Of these, 120 were completely destroyed and 735 require repair. Even basic materials such as desks and blackboards are lacking, and education continues in containers in some areas.

Water and Infrastructure Crisis

The municipal water network is in a critical condition. In some areas, water is supplied only for a few hours once every ninety days. Residents rely on tanker water whose cost may equal a civil servant’s monthly salary. Much of the city’s 4,600-kilometre road network, public buildings and communications infrastructure has also been destroyed.

Commitments and Vision of the İDSB Delegation

Türkiye-based civil society organizations within İDSB emphasized that, unlike certain Western organizations, they seek to support the region without pursuing material interests and in a spirit of Islamic solidarity. İDSB members participating in the meeting had prepared one-year and medium-term plans for Syria and committed an estimated budget of USD 154 million for education, healthcare and humanitarian assistance.

Priority and Requested Projects

The Daraa administration requested projects addressing both physical reconstruction and “human development” in response to destruction and demographic change. Two principal groups of projects were presented.

Education Projects – Takween Centre

A comprehensive education complex named the “Takween Centre” is planned on a 2,286-square-metre site in Daraa’s Eastern Kashif neighbourhood. The project, estimated to cost approximately USD 1.77 million, is expected to serve 850 students, half of whom will be children of martyrs and veterans or persons with disabilities. The complex will include a mosque, conference hall and dormitory for 300 students. Requests were also made to establish ten Sharia secondary schools similar to Türkiye’s Imam Hatip schools, develop scholarship agreements with Türkiye for university students, and transfer Türkiye’s integrated mosque–education centre model to Daraa.

Healthcare Projects

Saida Cardiac Surgery Hospital: the exterior of the hospital was restored by a businessperson at a cost of USD 450,000, but the facility still requires operating theatre and cardiology equipment. Daraa Medical City: since the existing public hospital is fifty years old, a modern medical city was requested as a long-term strategic investment. Healthcare organizations in the İDSB delegation proposed an emergency action plan and suggested that, in the longer term, a build–operate–transfer model similar to that used in Türkiye could be considered according to population density. The Daraa delegation noted, however, that adaptation could take time because healthcare in Syria is provided free of charge.

The parties agreed to establish a joint working team between İDSB and Daraa Governorate to implement the proposed projects. The Governor pledged to provide every possible facilitation to cooperating organizations.

Syrian Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs

The İDSB delegation met with the Syrian Minister of Labour and Social Affairs and ministry officials to discuss relief activities, reconstruction processes and the legal framework for civil society work in Syria.

Transition from Humanitarian Assistance to Sustainable Development

Both parties agreed that work in Syria should evolve beyond humanitarian assistance limited to food and tents and move towards an employment- and development-oriented approach. It was emphasized that young people and local communities should acquire professions, learn languages and be supported through sustainable development projects.

Administrative and Legal Difficulties Faced by NGOs

Representatives of Turkish NGOs reported serious obstacles in opening representative offices, transferring financial resources and completing customs procedures. Aid trucks were said to wait for permits for months, while volunteers entering the country for civil society activities were charged USD 50 on each entry, making operations difficult to sustain. Syrian officials explained that the current NGO legislation dates back to 1958 and is being revised. Because opening an international representative office through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is difficult, two alternatives were proposed: partnering with local Syrian NGOs or establishing a new association directly in Syria.

Reconstruction and the “Tent-Free Syria” Project

Türkiye’s rapid recovery and housing construction following the 6 February earthquakes was cited as an important model. Ministry officials requested support from Turkish NGOs for the “Tent-Free Syria” project, which aims to move people out of tent cities and resettle them in their hometowns. Organizations such as the Architects and Engineers Group stated that they were ready to contribute qualified personnel to reconstruction not only in housing but also in architecture, culture and the arts.

Youth, Women and Volunteering

Young Syrians educated in Türkiye and returning to Syria should serve as “soft-power” ambassadors between the two countries, and priority should be given to their employment. Vocational training for women was described as critical to cultural development. Information was also shared about education and rehabilitation centres opened by Turkish NGOs for women who had been subjected to torture.

Social Cohesion, Culture and Diversity

Syria’s multilingual, multi-religious and multicultural character was described as a source of richness. Initiatives should cover all regions—including Qamishli, Hasakah and Raqqa—rather than focusing on a single ethnic group or city such as Aleppo, and should prioritize social peace. The importance of bringing differences together under the Syrian flag and a shared national identity was emphasized.

Decisions and Proposed Solutions

An authorized communication channel will be established to regularly monitor and rapidly resolve operational problems involving customs, money transfers and representative offices. A joint consultation commission will also be formed to meet online or in person every one or two months in order to address the difficulties faced by NGOs and ensure continuity of cooperation.

Syrian Development Fund

The meeting brought together members of the İDSB delegation with the Director-General and officials of the Syrian Development Fund, an institution established approximately six months earlier under the direct authority of the Presidency. The principal focus was the transition from urgent and temporary humanitarian relief to sustainable development, permanent reconstruction and commercial investment.

Transparency and Governance

The Syrian Development Fund committed to full transparency in the management of funds and aid. It stated that no administrative deduction would be made from donations and that project income and expenditure, costs and documentation would be published openly on an online platform accessible to all.

Reconstruction of Infrastructure and Urban Areas

İDSB member organizations stated that, in addition to tents and food assistance, they were ready to provide voluntary engineering services for permanent urban transformation, city planning and the restoration of damaged historical monuments.

Education, Healthcare and Interest-Free Financing

An initial resource of USD 15 million is envisaged to launch projects aimed at restoring thousands of damaged schools, addressing the needs of nearly two million out-of-school children and revitalizing inadequate healthcare infrastructure. Syrians wishing to return home may receive grants or qard al-hasan—interest-free financing—on the condition that they repair schools and health centres in their hometowns. Healthcare experts with twenty-five years of experience stated that they could transfer Türkiye’s health transformation model, as well as hospital establishment, operation and local staff training models successfully implemented in countries including Somalia, Sudan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan.

Cultural and Social Development

Training qualified people to use and sustain physical infrastructure was described as just as important as constructing buildings. Drawing on the example of Esenler Municipality, a “Sister Municipality” model was proposed to support cultural, artistic, youth and sports activities at local-government level.

Economic Investment and Mobilizing the Business Community

Syria should be viewed not only as a country in need of aid but also as a country with investment opportunities. Syrian businesspeople who migrated to Egypt or Türkiye, particularly those in sectors such as textiles, should be encouraged to return with accumulated capital, establish businesses, provide vocational training and create employment.

Decisions and Next Steps

Following its meetings in Syria, the İDSB delegation will prepare a report analysing the country’s investment and development needs. The report will be presented to the public at a press conference in Türkiye and used as a guide for the direct participation of Turkish NGOs and businesspeople in sustainable investments in Syria.

Syrian Ministry of Awqaf

The İDSB delegation met with the Syrian Minister of Awqaf and deputy ministers to assess opportunities for cooperation between the Ministry and Türkiye-based civil society organizations that are members of İDSB. The meeting focused on planning joint steps in education, healthcare, restoration of historical monuments and the rehabilitation of places of worship as part of Syria’s reconstruction.

Reconstruction of Damaged Mosques and the Digital Platform

The reconstruction of approximately 1,500 mosques that were destroyed or partially damaged under the former regime was identified as one of the Ministry’s foremost priorities. A digital platform has been prepared to display the needs and estimated costs of each mosque so that restoration can proceed transparently and in a coordinated manner. The platform is expected to be introduced before or immediately after the Hajj season and launched with the participation of NGOs. Turkish NGOs requested a list of destroyed mosques, dormitories and Qur’an courses that could be rebuilt and used as operational centres, allowing them both to establish a local base and to undertake reconstruction of the relevant facility.

Restructuring the Awqaf System and Türkiye’s Experience

Five new categories of charitable foundations have been created in Syria to support areas such as healthcare and education where the state cannot meet all needs: the Holy Qur’an Foundation, Sharia Education Foundation, Health Foundation, Mosques Foundation and Charitable Works Foundation. The models of Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, Bezmialem Vakıf University and their hospitals are expected to inform the development of health and education foundations, with Türkiye’s experience transferred to Syria.

Education Activities, Imam Hatip and Dormitory Models

Syrian authorities wish to expand Türkiye’s student-dormitory model across Syria. Two dormitories are currently operating in rural Damascus and Idlib, and the system is intended to expand to other cities. In Syrian Sharia secondary schools, mathematics, physics and chemistry have been added to religious studies in a manner similar to Türkiye’s Imam Hatip model. Representatives of ÖNDER expressed readiness to share experience and cooperate. NGOs also have plans to establish an International Islamic University in Syria and open Arabic-language courses. Reciprocal programmes are envisaged so that Turkish students can receive short-term Arabic instruction in Syrian summer schools or undertake a comprehensive six-year programme in Sharia studies.

Restoration of Historical Monuments and a Joint Research Centre

Engineering and architectural teams from Türkiye offered to share the experience of the Ministry of Culture and the General Directorate of Foundations in rebuilding war-damaged cities and restoring historical monuments in accordance with their original character. A joint Türkiye–Syria Research Centre was proposed to develop strategies addressing the challenges of the modern age, the situation of young people and the protection of the family structure.

Facilitating Bureaucratic Procedures

To overcome licensing, legal recognition and administrative difficulties previously experienced by NGOs in the field, Mr Nezir, Director of International Relations at the Syrian Ministry of Awqaf, was appointed as coordinator. In coordination with the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye and the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the necessary facilitation was pledged for the allocation of premises and issuance of work permits to Turkish NGOs.

The meeting took place in an atmosphere of mutual trust, emphasizing the historical, cultural and religious ties between the two countries. It was agreed to establish joint working groups and mechanisms so that Syria could benefit at the highest level from the institutional experience of Turkish NGOs in housing, education, healthcare and reconstruction during the country’s post-war recovery.

Mufti of Homs, Sheikh Muhammad Sahl Junayd

Physical Destruction and Infrastructure Damage

As a result of the conflict, approximately 60 per cent of homes and mosques in Homs were reported to have been destroyed.

Demographic Structure and External Intervention

Attention was drawn to the presence of Alawite, Druze and Shia communities around Homs. It was stated that, during the war, the former regime allowed approximately 250,000 foreign mercenaries and militia members to enter the region.

Destruction of Cultural Heritage and Propaganda

It was reported that the Khalid ibn al-Walid Mosque had been completely destroyed by Shia militias. The former regime later restored the mosque using a USD 10 million budget from Chechnya and presented the restoration in the media as propaganda, claiming that it had rebuilt a mosque destroyed by “terrorists.”

Religious and Historical Importance of the City

Homs was described as a city of profound significance in Islamic history. It was stated that Khalid ibn al-Walid and approximately 900 Companions—including seventy participants of Badr and Wahshi ibn Harb—are associated with or buried in the city.

Brotherhood and Gratitude to Türkiye

The Turkish delegation’s visit was welcomed with great appreciation through the expression, “When we gather with those we love, flowers bloom.” Thanks and greetings were conveyed to the Turkish people and their leaders, with the words: “You are doing a deed loved by Allah.”

Conclusion

The field visit demonstrated the scale and diversity of Syria’s reconstruction, recovery and development needs. Across the meetings, the parties emphasized a transition from short-term humanitarian relief to sustainable development; stronger public–civil society coordination; investments in education, healthcare, housing, agriculture and infrastructure; the restoration of cultural and religious heritage; and mechanisms that enable displaced Syrians to return home in safety and dignity. İDSB and TGTV representatives affirmed their willingness to mobilize the experience, institutional capacity and networks of Turkish civil society organizations in cooperation with Syrian public institutions and local stakeholders.