World · Middle East · 2 hrs ago
Syria and World Bank agree to create recovery and reconstruction fund
Syria and the World Bank agreed to create a multi-donor recovery fund for the country.
Syria is rebuilding after a civil war lasting more than a decade that destroyed infrastructure and homes.
The fund is intended to provide affordable financing, investment guarantees and technical support, while helping strengthen public institutions.
The World Bank estimated in 2025 that reconstruction could cost about $216 billion, based on what it called a conservative estimate.
The fund is also meant to help restore basic services and expand economic opportunities.
Syria’s transitional government has been seeking international investment, with some pledges already moving into implementation, including funding for Tartus Port and airports in Aleppo.
The World Bank will manage the fund with donors and development partners, guided by priorities set by Syrian authorities.
Syria and the World Bank have agreed to establish a multi-donor fund for the country’s recovery and reconstruction.
The Syria Recovery and Reconstruction Trust Fund, or START, is intended to provide concessional financing, investment guarantees and technical assistance.
The fund is also intended to support basic services, strengthen institutions and expand economic opportunities.
The agreement was announced in a joint statement on Sunday after Syrian officials attended international and World Bank meetings in Bangkok.
The World Bank estimated in 2025 that Syria’s reconstruction would cost about $216 billion.
- Who
- Syria and the World Bank Group.
- What
- They agreed to establish the Syria Recovery and Reconstruction Trust Fund, a multi-donor fund for recovery and reconstruction.
- When
- Sunday, October 18, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- To mobilize support and finance Syria’s recovery and reconstruction, including basic services and institutional capacity.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Bashar Al Assad’s regime fell.
The World Bank estimated that Syria’s reconstruction would cost about $216 billion.
Syria and the World Bank announced their agreement to establish the recovery and reconstruction fund.
- Fund name
- Syria Recovery and Reconstruction Trust Fund (START)
- Estimated reconstruction cost
- About $216 billion
- Infrastructure share of total damage
- 48 per cent, or $52 billion
- Residential building damage
- $33 billion
- Non-residential building damage
- $33 billion
3 sources
What people are saying
We look forward to working with all partners to support a comprehensive and sustainable recovery path
An important milestone in Syria’s recovery and reconstruction journey
We reaffirm our strong commitment to the highest standards of integrity, transparency, accountability, and good governance
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Joint Press Release Between The Syrian Arab Republic and the World Bank Group