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Syrian Development Fund
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Syrian Development Fund (SYDF) is a Syrian government initiative established in 2025 to facilitate the reconstruction and development of the country following the overthrow of the Assad regime in late 2024.[2][1][3] It operates as an independent economic institution aimed at mobilizing resources for infrastructure rehabilitation, job creation, and the repatriation of displaced persons and refugees.[4][5]
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History
The Syrian Development Fund was established by Presidential Decree No. 112 of 2025, issued in July 2025 by President Ahmad al-Sharaa, shortly after the formation of a new administration in January 2025 following Bashar al-Assad's flight to Russia in December 2024.[1][2][6] The decree granted the fund legal personality, financial, and administrative independence, with its headquarters in Damascus.[1] Mohammad Safwat Raslan was appointed as Director-General by Decree No. 117 of 2025.[1]
The fund was officially launched on September 4, 2025, during a ceremony at the Damascus Citadel, with simultaneous events held across all Syrian provinces on September 3.[1][7][8] The launch came in the wake of over a decade of civil war, which the United Nations and World Bank estimated caused approximately $800 billion in damage to Syria's infrastructure and economy.[9]
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Objectives
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The primary objective of the Syrian Development Fund is to contribute to the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Syria's war-damaged infrastructure, including roads, bridges, water and electricity networks, airports, ports, and telecommunications.[1][7] It seeks to finance development projects through interest-free loans, create job opportunities, and implement service and economic initiatives to improve living conditions across all provinces.[1][2]
The fund's priorities are organized into four main tracks:[4]
- Stability and return Providing 50,000 housing units and a long-term plan to resettle 7 million displaced Syrians by 2035.
- Infrastructure Restoring electricity supply to 12 hours daily by 2026, constructing six renewable power stations, and repairing 400 water pumping facilities.
- Vital Sector Supporting 500,000 farmers, reclaiming one million hectares of agricultural land, and rehabilitating 200 communications stations.
- Human investment: Repairing 3,000 schools and constructing 500 new ones, building 200 health centers, and expanding care for orphans, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
The initiative emphasizes transparency, with all expenditures on strategic projects to be publicly disclosed.[2][1]
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Structure
As an independent entity affiliated with the Presidency of the Republic, the fund is managed by a dedicated council that prioritizes projects based on provincial needs.[4][1] It serves as a national umbrella for collaboration between the state, civil society, the private sector, and Syrians abroad.[1][10]
Funding
The fund's resources are derived from individual donations from within and outside Syria, a "permanent donor" program for monthly contributions, advertising revenues, grants, and other lawful donations.[1] President al-Sharaa called upon Syrians at home and abroad to contribute, framing participation as both an honor and a duty.[1]
Within hours of its launch, the fund received over $12 million in direct donations and $70 million in pledges.[4] Other reports indicate initial donations exceeding $30 million[2] and $50 million,[1] with later figures reaching $61 million in one hour[11] and $64 million overall.[12]
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Reception
The launch of the Syrian Development Fund was met with rapid public support, reflecting widespread enthusiasm for national reconstruction efforts.[4][11] It has been described as a key tool for healing the wounds of war and reviving Syria's economy through collective action.[2][5]
References
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