First Person: Syrians lead efforts to clear rubble and rebuild lives
Communities in Syria are clearing rubble and rebuilding neighbourhoods and livelihoods torn down in the more than a decade of conflict and crisis in the country. The conflict there killed hundreds of thousands of people, displaced millions, and caused severe damage to infrastructure across the country estimated at over $100 billion. Joelle-Seme Park works for the UN Development Programme ( UNDP
Source: United Nations News · August 17, 2026 at 4:55 PM · AI-assisted report
KUALA LUMPUR, 18 AUGUST 2026 —
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Syrians Lead Rubble Clearance Efforts to Rebuild War-Torn Cities
Market Impact
Communities in Syria are spearheading efforts to clear rubble and restore infrastructure damaged by over a decade of conflict, which has killed hundreds of thousands, displaced millions, and caused an estimated $100 billion in damage. Joelle-Seme Park, a representative of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), recently visited recovery projects in the country, highlighting the scale of destruction and the urgent need for rehabilitation.
The conflict has left entire neighbourhoods in ruins, with roads blocked, water and sewage systems damaged, and essential services struggling to return. In Rural Damascus, Park described scenes of broken concrete, twisted metal, and shuttered shops, noting that life cannot fully restart until debris is removed. The UNDP’s REVIVE project is addressing this challenge by clearing 570,000 tonnes of debris across Aleppo, Deir-ez-Zor, Homs, and Rural Damascus, while rehabilitating roads, water networks, and sewage systems.
The project also includes explosive ordnance risk education and debris recycling initiatives, turning rubble into construction materials. Since its launch, over 1,300 people have participated in cash-for-work activities, supporting more than 6,000 family members. One woman in Aleppo, previously unemployed, now earns income to provide food and medicine for her family, while her children have returned to school.
Beyond economic benefits, the clearance efforts have fostered community pride. In Aleppo, volunteers rebuilt a park and streetlights after debris removal, allowing children and women to use the space safely. Park emphasized the determination of Syrians, some of whom have cleared rubble with their bare hands, underscoring that recovery is not just about removing destruction but restoring normalcy.
The UNDP’s work highlights the critical role of international support in Syria’s reconstruction. While the project has made progress, the scale of damage remains vast, and sustained efforts are needed to fully restore infrastructure and livelihoods.
Details not yet available on Malaysia’s direct market or sector impact from this initiative.