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‘The sense of hope which the Syrian people expressed amid destruction, is what stands out the most, said the Norwegian Minister of International Development, Åsmund Aukrust, after visiting Syria. Norway’s overall support to Syria in 2025 is close to NOK 400 million. During his visit to Syria on 22 May 2025, Minister of International Development Åsmund Aukrust was able to see first-hand the widespread destruction caused by 14 years of war. According to UN estimates, some 16 million of the country’s inhabitants are currently in need of life-saving assistance. Since the fall of the Assad regime, as many as 500 000 Syrian refugees have returned to Syria. Many have returned to find their homes in ruins, and the scale of need will continue to be enormous in the time ahead, while the country is gradually being rebuilt. Norway is now increasing its support for the UN’s humanitarian efforts in Syria by NOK 20 million. ‘I have met people in despair over the situation the country is in. The massive destruction is gutting. Entire neighbourhoods are bomber to destruction. But I also saw people putting up new tiles on bullet torn walls, hoping the peace will last. I’m haring their hope. This is why Norway is supporting Syria, with the aim of a successful political transition’, said Mr Aukrust.Norway already provides substantial support to Syria. The additional allocation of NOK 20 million includes NOK 10 million to support the work of the UN Refugee Agency to help refugees who have returned to Syria, NOK 7 million in funding for the UN’s Syria Humanitarian Fund, and a further NOK 3 million channelled to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). ‘In the revised national budget, the Government has also proposed an increase of NOK 37.9 million in support to restore health services and rebuild electricity infrastructure in Syria. When I met the Syrian Minister of Energy and the Deputy Minister of Health in Damascus, they confirmed that these are important priorities for them,’ said Mr Aukrust. Some of the funding will be used on rehabilitation of existing power plants, which is the best way to increase the power supply short term. In connection with the visit, a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between Norway and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) was also signed. UNDP is to draw up a comprehensive plan for renewable energy in Syria, with funding from Norway. This will be an important roadmap setting out how the various stakeholders involved in the reconstruction of the country can introduce green, renewable solutions from the outset. The plan will also contain estimates of Syria’s future energy needs and the associated costs. Norway is also increasing its support for UNICEF’s efforts to provide protection and activities for young people living in refugee camps in northeastern Syria by NOK 5 million. Conditions in the camps are still very difficult, and the level of need is high. Overall, Norway will provide at least NOK 400 million in support to Syria in 2025. This includes support for the reconstruction of infrastructure such as water, electricity and health systems. ‘In all the political meetings I have had, I have conveyed Norway’s intention to maintain its strong support for the Syrian people. We are choosing to be optimistic. The lifting of sanctions announced last week will make it easier for Syria to move towards self-reliance. At the same time, we must be realistic, and that is why we have made it very clear to the Syrian authorities that we and the rest of the international community expect to see progress towards building an inclusive Syria,’ said Mr Aukrust. |
Photo credit: UD/Ryeng