Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa issued Decree No. 59 of 2026, forming a committee tasked with overseeing the rehabilitation of infrastructure in areas devastated by the war, in preparation for the return of internally displaced people to their original homes.

According to Article 1 of the decree issued on March 8 and published today, Tuesday, March 10, the committee will be chaired by the Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management. Its members include the ministers of finance, public works and housing, social affairs and labor, and local administration and environment.

The committee will also include the governors of Aleppo, Hama, and Idlib, in addition to the director of the International Cooperation Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates.

 Tasks of the Committee

Article 2 of the decree outlines two main tasks for the committee. The first focuses on preparing basic infrastructure in destroyed areas to enable residents to return and help ensure decent living conditions.

The second task involves taking all possible measures to improve services for citizens currently residing in areas of internal displacement, while providing the necessary support to ease the impact of displacement and humanitarian suffering.

Article 3 stipulates that the committee will meet every 15 days, or whenever necessary, upon invitation from its chairperson. The committee may also seek assistance from experts and relevant bodies it deems appropriate to carry out its tasks.

As part of monitoring its performance, Article 4 states that the committee must submit monthly reports to the presidency outlining its work and achievements on the ground.

Reconstruction Challenges

The decree comes amid extensive destruction that has affected many cities and regions across Syria after 14 years of war. Reconstruction will require exceptional local and international efforts, particularly given the complex economic, political, and security challenges facing the country.

Accurate statistics on the cost of reconstruction in Syria remain unavailable due to the scale of destruction that occurred between 2011 and the end of military operations on December 8, 2024. However, prominent estimates place reconstruction costs between $250 billion and $400 billion, according to the World Bank and the Carnegie Middle East Center, while other estimates suggest the figure could exceed $800 billion.

 Devastated Infrastructure

World Bank data indicates that infrastructure was among the most heavily affected sectors, accounting for 48% of total estimated physical damage, which amounts to about $108 billion. The governorates of Aleppo, Rural Damascus, and Homs top the list of the most affected areas.

The United Nations has also reported that more than one million people have returned to their original areas. However, many returnees face harsh conditions, including homes that are uninhabitable and the absence of basic services.

More than 16.7 million people inside Syria currently require humanitarian assistance, while about 90% of Syrians live below the poverty line, according to the United Nations.

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