World Bank approves $225 million for Syria water and health infrastructure recovery

The World Bank has approved $225 million in IDA grant financing for two projects in Syria to restore water supply and wastewater infrastructure and improve primary health care services. The projects aim to benefit approximately 4.5 million Syrians, addressing severe damage from fourteen years of conflict that reduced water supply by 40% and damaged 70% of wastewater treatment plants.

The World Bank Board of Executive Directors has approved US$225 million in grant financing from the International Development Association to support Syria in enhancing public service delivery in the water and health sectors, according to an official announcement. The two projects are expected to benefit approximately 4.5 million Syrians across the country. Fourteen years of conflict have devastated Syria's water infrastructure, reducing water supply by approximately 40% compared to pre-conflict levels, with more than half of the population lacking adequate access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services.

The Syria Emergency Water Security and Resilient Services Project ($150 million) will restore bulk water supply and wastewater infrastructure in priority densely populated regions affected by the conflict. The project will rehabilitate and climate-proof critical water treatment and transmission infrastructure in Idlib, Homs, and Hama, and rehabilitate priority wastewater treatment infrastructure in Damascus. The Syria Health System Recovery and Strengthening Project ($75 million) will restore essential primary care and maternal, newborn, and child health and nutrition service delivery in 150 high-impact PHC centres across Syria, strengthening public health capacities for pandemic detection and response.

This development matters for Syria's recovery, where improved public services across sectors will enhance living conditions, strengthen social cohesion, and facilitate the integration of returning refugees and internally displaced persons. The projects support the government's No Camps initiative and align with Syria's Statement of National Priorities.

For the water and health sectors, the financing addresses critical infrastructure deficits and service delivery gaps. Stakeholders including returning refugees, internally displaced persons, vulnerable host communities, and public health workers stand to benefit from restored water security, improved sanitation, and strengthened primary health care capacity.