Building services for Syria

What’s happening in Syria? What do people need most, and how can we help them to rebuild their lives and communities? Our team travelled out to oversee rebuilding projects that will supply essential services in returning communities.

Millions were displaced…

After almost 14 years of civil war, people rose in opposition and managed to end the regime of Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad, in 2024.

With a new President and combined military force, as well as convictions for many people involved in the old regime, Syria’s future looks hopeful.

But during the conflict, more than 5 million Syrians sought refuge in countries like Turkiye, Jordan and Lebanon. They have spent years living in settlements beneath the poverty line, making dua for a safe, stable country to welcome them home.

… now millions will return

In the months after the new President was installed, Syrian people began to travel back to their former homes. In August 2026, Ambassador Ibrahim Olabi of Syria told the UN that thanks to international investment, more than 3 million Syrians have now come home, marking an historic ‘era of return’.

It’s a cause of great joy for many families, especially those who were living in uncomfortable conditions in refugee camps.

The devastation they’re facing

What they’re returning to is nothing like it used to be.

With schools, mosques and health centres demolished, and water and power supplies now unreliable, Syrian communities are being forced to rebuild from nothing.

There is widespread poverty and many, even unskilled, are attempting to repair houses themselves (like the Syrian woman we discovered chipping away at blocks to rebuild her own wall).

A lot of refugees have returned without identity documents, which makes it difficult for them to claim property or essential services.

How we’re improving services in Syria

In 2026, Salam Charity’s Director of Programmes, Nizar, spent 5 months in Syria overseeing several initiatives. He reflected on the joy and challenges of this visit:

“I was constantly making Dua that one day I could visit the blessed land of Shaam (the Levant), but the way things were going, up until November 2024 it looked impossible. But, Subhan Allah, the power of the prayers of the oppressed, and God’s mercy, brought freedom. Alhamdulillah we are implementing major projects across the country helping the rebuilding process, covering surgeries, and renovating water wells.”

Restoring health services

Nizar was at opening day for the Abu Tammam Al-Tai Clinic, a demolished health centre which has been renovated (from new floors to roofing) and will provide primary care services to 5,250 people in the area. The renovation was funded by Salam Charity and the centre will now be handed back to Syria’s Ministry of Health.

Rebuilding the heart of the community

We have also funded and managed the renovation of a demolished mosque in Yarmouk Camp, Syria – the Al Nu’Man mosque. With new doors, windows and roof, the mosque now has a generous prayer hall for 250 people, providing an essential service for its community.

Reopening a large school

After finding a destroyed school in Idlib, northern Syria, we stepped in to fund the rebuild for Dream Academy – a permanent, 22-classroom school built in partnership with the Turkish Red Crescent. It will offer a free and stable learning environment for 800 children, enabling families to begin getting back to normal life – and looking forward to their futures.

We will continue to work with Syrian people to rebuild essential services in education, healthcare and shelter. Donate now to our Syria Appeal – you’ll find it under the Appeals tab.