As Syria emerges from a decade-long war, the Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies stated on Friday that aid is shifting to smaller projects to assist families in planting seeds, raising sheep, and finding ways to earn a living amid the reconstruction of the devastated economy. Jagan Chapagain remarked that it is time to move beyond direct humanitarian work, which involves providing food and medicine, although that will continue. He added during an interview in Geneva after returning from a trip to Homs and Douma, former strongholds of rebel fighters that pro-government forces have regained control of, "We want to start the transition towards... livelihood support."
Hundreds of thousands have died in the conflict, which has forced 11 million, roughly half of the population, to flee their homes. The weakened economy poses the greatest challenge facing President Assad after regaining control of approximately 70 percent of the country. Some Western donors have expressed reluctance to fund reconstruction under Assad's regime, which won a fourth term last month in elections that the West claims were rigged. Chapagain noted that the devastation in Douma, where Assad cast his vote, is immense. He said, "I went to see the hospital, and there is nothing left but a few very small pillars that used to be the gate to the hospital."
He continued by saying that residents are building a hospital with a capacity of 40 beds and are seeking medical equipment in the form of donations rather than cash. He added that the Federation is working with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent. "In Douma, all facilities of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent are underground, so far. Because they built these facilities during the siege for protection... the food distribution center is still under the mosque."
He further mentioned that the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and the International Federation provided seeds, sheep, and life-changing equipment to 15 rural families, approximately 100 people, in Deir Ballbeh, a village in Homs. He said, "With just a submersible pump and solar panels, these families were able to turn their land into productive agricultural land. They just had a very good wheat harvest, and I saw them planting potatoes." He added, "There are 50 other families wanting to join this project."
