The Government of Japan and UN-Habitat have announced the launch of “The Project for Integrated Urban Reconstruction and Strengthening Sustainable Solid Waste Management” a major two-year initiative aimed at fostering long-term resilience and sustainable recovery. With a total budget of JPY 1,521,000,000 (approximately USD 9.3 million) provided by the Government of Japan, the project will run from July 2026 to July 2028.The project’s core objective is to revitalize essential civic infrastructure and improve environmental health through a community-driven, development-oriented approach. By strengthening municipal capacity and reinvigorating the local urban economy, the intervention seeks to rebuild public confidence and restore the city’s social fabric.The project focuses on two primary pillars of recovery. Urban Regeneration of the Old Clock Square which is considered a symbolic and economic heart of Homs, the project will revitalize the Old Clock Square and its surrounding areas. This intervention is designed to improve functionality, safety, and inclusivity, contributing to a restored civic identity and reduced traffic risks while boosting local economic activity.The project will also target sustainable solid waste management to address critical environmental health risks. The project will rehabilitate the municipal solid waste management system, especially the final disposal site. It will also support on increasing collection efficiency and extending the operational lifespan of the landfill through environmentally sound practices aligned with international standards.The project will use an integrated and participatory approach. Urban regeneration plans will be informed by community-led processes to ensure that designs reflect local priorities and promote inclusive public spaces. Furthermore, the project embeds capacity development support to municipal departments to enhance transparency and evidence-based decision-making.This initiative integrates cross-cutting priorities including gender equality, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability the project framework notes. By involving women, youth, older persons, and persons with disabilities in the planning process, it also aims to increase social cohesion and ensure that the recovery is accountable and sustainable. Through this partnership, the Government of Japan and UN-Habitat remain committed to building a more resilient future for the people of Homs, ensuring that essential services are restored and urban governance is strengthened for years to come. About UN-Habitat: UN-Habitat is the United Nations entity responsible for sustainable urbanization. UN-Habitat works in over 90 countries, supporting policymakers and communities to create socially and environmentally sustainable cities and towns. UN-Habitat promotes transformative change in cities through knowledge, policy advice, technical assistance and collaborative action. About the Government of Japan: The Government of Japan is a leading partner in supporting early recovery and resilience-building in Syria, focusing on restoring basic services and improving the livelihoods of vulnerable populations. Media Contacts: On behalf of UN-Habitat: Taimaa Mourad, Communication AssistantEmail: taimaa.mourad@un.orgPhone number: +963 965 044 536

 “Syria has the potential to move from a phase of managing displacement to one of resolving it. An important measure of success will be whether displaced persons can enjoy their rights and rebuild their lives in safety and dignity,” said Paula Gaviria Betancur, the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, at the end of an official visit to the country. Syria is emerging from one of the world's largest and most protracted displacement crises. Since 2011, an estimated 14 million people have been displaced. Since December 2024, nearly two million internally displaced persons and 1.7 million refugees have returned. Yet approximately 5.5 million people remain internally displaced, reconstruction needs are estimated at USD 216 billion, and 15.6 million people continue to require humanitarian assistance. The Special Rapporteur acknowledged the immense scale of the task confronting Syria. She noted that the country is simultaneously rebuilding its economy, institutions, public services, legal and policy frameworks, infrastructure and social fabric, while responding to one of the world’s largest displacement crises. “The challenges facing Syria are immense and cannot be addressed overnight,” she said. “Efforts to secure durable solutions for displaced persons must be accompanied by broader measures to restore livelihoods, strengthen the rule of law and support an inclusive recovery that benefits all Syrians.” “The scale of return reflects both the resilience and the aspirations of the Syrian people. It also represents an immense humanitarian, development, protection and human rights responsibility: ensuring that return is not only possible but genuinely voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable for all,” Gaviria Betancur said. “Across every governorate I visited, I heard one consistent message: internally displaced persons do not want to remain defined by displacement,” she said. “Despite years of hardship, repeated displacement, loss of loved ones, destruction of homes and livelihoods, they continue to demonstrate extraordinary strength and determination. They seek to rebuild their lives, support their families with independence and dignity, and actively contribute to Syria's recovery.” The Special Rapporteur welcomed the Government's “Syria Without Camps” initiative as an important commitment to ending prolonged camp displacement, and stressed that closures must be an outcome of rights-based durable solutions, not a substitute. “The sustainability of camp closures will depend on displaced persons having access to viable and sustainable durable solutions,” she said. The expert emphasised that return is one important element of a broader durable solutions process. In many areas, returnees are confronted with destroyed homes, limited public services and scarce livelihoods. They also face issues related to housing, land and property, as well as contamination from mines and explosive remnants of war. “Sustaining returns will require continued investment in recovery and reintegration support,” she said. “Efforts should also be strengthened to ensure the protection of internally displaced persons, including minorities, prevent secondary displacement, and support durable solutions that enable displaced communities to rebuild their lives in safety and dignity,” Gaviria Betancur said. “This calls for inclusive, rights-based and area-based approaches that benefit displaced persons, returnees and host communities alike.” The Special Rapporteur stressed that housing, land and property issues, mine action, livelihood and community-centred recovery processes as well as the meaningful participation of displaced persons must form central pillars of Syria's recovery. She also highlighted the role of transitional justice processes, including truth-seeking, accountability and guarantees of non-recurrence, as an essential tool for addressing past violations and building sustainable peace. Gaviria Betancur encouraged continued efforts to strengthen national frameworks and institutions, drawing on relevant international standards including the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement. “Physical reconstruction alone cannot heal the consequences of displacement,” she said. “Inclusive processes that support social cohesion for displaced persons and affected communities will be key to rebuilding and shaping Syria’s future.” The expert called on the international community to continue providing humanitarian assistance to those in need while expanding recovery and development support through predictable, multi-year funding for returns and reintegration programmes. She also encouraged private sector engagement to support local economies and livelihoods. “Internally displaced persons are among the most affected by Syria’s past, and among those who can contribute most significantly to its future,” she said. “Supporting their human rights, capacities and participation is an investment into Syria’s social fabric, economic recovery and long-term peace.” The Special Rapporteur will present her report to the Human Rights Council in June 2027. *The expert:Paula Gaviria Betancur, the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons Special Rapporteurs/Independent Experts/Working Groups are independent human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Together, these experts are referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights office acts as the secretariat for Special Procedures, the experts serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including OHCHR and the UN. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the UN or OHCHR. Country-specific observations and recommendations by the UN human rights mechanisms, including the special procedures, the treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review, can be found on the Universal Human Rights Index https://uhri.ohchr.org/en/. UN Human Rights, country page – https://www.ohchr.org/en/countries/syrian-arab-republic. For inquiries and media requests, please contact: Shushan KHACHYAN, Human Rights Officer, shushan.khachyan@un.org. For media inquiries related to other UN independent experts please contact Maya Derouaz (maya.derouaz@un.org) or Dharisha Indraguptha (dharisha.indraguptha@un.org).  

 
In close coordination with the Syrian Ministry of Health, UNOPS has launched a series of specialized health interventions in Aleppo and Hama aimed at strengthening pediatric healthcare services. These interventions include establishing and equipping a Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Department at Ibn Roshed Hospital for Cardiac Diseases and Surgery in Aleppo, as well as equipping pediatric intensive care units at Hama Maternity and Children's Hospital, As-Salamiyeh National Hospital, and As-Suqaylabiyah National Hospital. The initiative forms part of the project “Supporting Children's Hospitals in Northern Syria with Specialized Medical Equipment for Intensive Care, Cardiac Care and Surgeries,” contributing to enhanced healthcare capacity, improved access to specialized pediatric services, and better health outcomes for children through the provision of advanced medical equipment and comprehensive training for healthcare and technical personnel

The project will support approximately 20 municipal administrative units across seven governorates – Aleppo, Rural Damascus, Homs, Hama, Latakia, Idleb, and Daraa –strengthening their institutional, technical, and operational capacities for effective recovery planning and improved service delivery.Through targeted capacity-building programmes and the provision of essential tools and equipment, the project is enhancing municipalities’ ability to respond to the needs of communities affected by crisis and displacement. Between 120 and 180 municipal staff will be trained in key areas, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), urban data management, recovery planning, and Housing, Land and Property (HLP) rights.In parallel, light rehabilitation works will support the restoration of basic municipal functions, contributing to more resilient and effective local governance. While municipalities are the direct beneficiaries, the project is expected to improve service delivery and recovery-oriented urban governance for hundreds of thousands of residents, including returnees.The Government of Japan is a longstanding and valued partner of UN-Habitat and a leading donor to humanitarian and recovery efforts in Syria. Since 2022, Japan has contributed more than USD 21 million in support of UN-Habitat projects assisting vulnerable communities across the country.
About UN-HabitatUN-Habitat is the United Nations entity responsible for sustainable urbanization. It has programmes in over 90 countries supporting policymakers and communities to create socially and environmentally sustainable cities and towns. UN-Habitat promotes transformative change in cities through knowledge, policy advice, technical assistance, and collaborative action. To know more, visit www.unhabitat.org or follow us on X @UNHABITATaction. To know more, visit www.unhabitat.org or follow us on social media @UNHABITAT. For further information, please contact:Rima Zeiter, Communication Lead, UN-Habitat Syria rima.zeiter@un.org