Recovery of Services and Infrastructure in Syria. “Not If, But How?” -Urban recovery Framework

The paper presents perspectives on the required organizational, regulatory, procedural, and operational environment to implement repair and recovery processes for infrastructure and services, in a way that respects the relevant redlines from supporting actors, while achieving the widest and most lasting impact in Syria.

The paper provides a targeted analysis of the state of infrastructure in selected cities in Syria, and its effects on the Syrian people, focused on Government of Syria (GoS) controlled areas. The objective is to inform area-based efforts, including the URF and the Area-Based Return Support initiative, for improved living conditions for those who have remained in Syria, or those who have been displaced but are planning to return, if and when the conditions allow. It details the limitations of support to infrastructure recovery owing to existing political and operational challenges, while noting the risks inherent in the repair of infrastructure networks.