UNDP chief urges shift from humanitarian aid to development as returnees surge in Syria

Alexander De Croo, administrator of the UN Development Program, and Tom Fletcher, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, said the UN has launched the 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for Syria and is urging the international community to shift funding toward development to support large numbers of returnees and reconstruction.

"We are here at a pivotal moment," De Croo said, arguing that while "there is still need for humanitarian aid," the time has come to scale up development services so returning families can rebuild homes, access public services and find jobs. He said more than 1.6 million people returned to Syria last year, increasing demand for housing and government services.

Fletcher reinforced that argument, saying the UN must phase down some emergency response activities while phasing up development, resilience and long-term recovery work. "Nearly 16 million people need humanitarian support right now," he said, and he highlighted mine clearance as a vital priority for enabling safe returns.

Both officials said the visit to Damascus and meetings with senior Syrian officials underlined opportunities for closer UN coordination. Fletcher described the mission as a demonstration of "UN 80 in action," emphasizing joint planning, shared supply chains and efforts to reduce duplication and bureaucracy so more resources go to local actors.

De Croo cited a UNDP Bureau for Arab States analysis estimating a regional economic loss of $190 billion, a rollback of about 1½ years of development progress and more than 4 million people driven into poverty, and he warned of spillover effects beyond the study area.

The officials applauded Syrian plans mentioned in meetings — including mine clearance and a goal of "zero camps" within a year — but said achieving those objectives will require substantial international investment and continued humanitarian access. Fletcher stressed that all work must respect humanitarian principles of neutrality and independence and support an inclusive political process.

The briefing closed with the UN officials asking donors and partners to invest in long-term recovery alongside ongoing aid, saying the international community’s response now will determine whether returnees remain and whether Syria can move toward stability.