Damascus, Apr. 2 (SANA) Qutaiba Kadish, Director of the International Cooperation Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, announced on Thursday that Syria officially welcomes the 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan. The plan was launched by Tom Fletcher, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, following high-level consultations in Damascus.
Qadish emphasized that the new plan reflects a commitment to working in full coordination with Syrian state institutions, respecting the country’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.
Four Pillars of National Recovery
The 2026 plan identifies four primary areas of intervention designed to move Syria from emergency relief to sustainable stability:
Critical Infrastructure: Restoring vital networks including water, electricity, and transport.
Essential Services: Resuming healthcare, education, and municipal services across all governorates.
Socio-Economic Resilience: Strengthening local markets and supporting livelihoods to reduce aid dependency.
Institutional Building: Re-establishing the capacity of public institutions to serve the citizenry.
Parallel to these pillars, the government and the UN will intensify efforts to clear mines, unexploded ordnance, and war remnants to ensure the safety of returning residents and the success of developmental projects.
A Unified UN Approach
Qadish highlighted the historic nature of the joint visit by Tom Fletcher and Alexander De Croo, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This visit marks the first time the heads of the UN’s humanitarian and developmental pillars have conducted a joint mission to Damascus, signaling a shift toward a more integrated approach that combines immediate relief with long-term recovery.
Strategic Call to International Partners
The Syrian government urged international partners and donors to align their funding with these nationally defined priorities. Qadish stressed the necessity of moving toward a unified and consistent approach that strengthens national systems rather than relying on fragmented aid. He reaffirmed Syria’s commitment to a close, strategic partnership with the UN, international organizations, and civil society to restore stability and build a better future for all Syrians.
H.H
