23.12.2024
Syria: Supporting people to shape their own future
Syria has a chance of a better future after the fall of the Assad regime. GIZ is already supporting people in shaping the future of their country.
Syria is at a turning point: after 13 years of war, there are many challenges, but also opportunities for positive development. The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is already supporting Syrian society. GIZ’s work is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the German Federal Foreign Office, and is cofinanced by the European Union and other donors. For example, GIZ is assisting people to produce enough food and offering them access to psychological support and medical care. As a result, the company has forged valuable contacts in civil society and gained experience that it can now use in promoting peace and stability.
Helping people despite war
GIZ has been working in Syria since 1976. Since 2013, it has carried out its work independently of the government with the support of local non-governmental organisations. Despite the difficult conditions, people’s living conditions have been improved. GIZ has repaired damaged hospitals and health care facilities and kept them in operation. By doing so, it has enabled over 210,000 operations to take place since 2016. Psychologists have also received training to support people in overcoming the traumatic consequences of war and displacement. GIZ has provided 155,000 people with improved access to sanitary facilities and restored 111 water systems. Over 12,700 farmers have been trained in how to improve their harvests and process food more efficiently.
Rapidly adapting work to people’s needs
How support for Syria will continue depends on how the political environment develops. GIZ can rapidly adapt its work to the needs of local people. It already demonstrated this after the earthquake in 2023 when it provided hospitals with materials such as dialysis kits and orthopaedic equipment, and offered professional psychological support to 2,000 children and carers. GIZ also procured water purification equipment for people cut off from the water supply. More than 4,500 households and 12,000 people, including 8,500 women, benefited from the rapid relief measures.