Republic of Korea and United Nations mark culmination of phase one of the Reviving Hope, Restoring Services, Reaching Communities Initiative

Damascus, 15 June 2026: The Government of the Republic of Korea and the United Nations marked the completion of phase one of the Reviving Hope, Restoring Services, Reaching Communities initiative. Valued at more than US$38 million, the contribution from the Republic of Korea brought forward significant humanitarian and recovery assistance, reaffirming the parties' continued commitment to supporting Syria’s national recovery priorities. The ceremony, held in Aleppo, brought together the Republic of Korea’s Ambassador to Syria, Syrian government officials, community stakeholders, and representatives of the United Nations Development Programme, UNICEF, WFP, and WHO.

H.E. Gyusuk Geon, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Syria, said: “Witnessing firsthand the impact of Korea’s partnership with UN agencies in Aleppo has been deeply inspiring. These efforts are helping revive essential services, reach vulnerable communities, and restore hope where it is needed most. Above all, I have been profoundly impressed by the resilience of the Syrian people. What we see here is a strong example of the Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) Nexus in action—linking immediate assistance with long-term recovery and development. Korea remains committed to standing alongside the Syrian people as a trusted partner, helping hope shine once again across Syria”.

The ceremony concluded a two-day joint field mission to Aleppo, where the delegation visited project sites, met beneficiaries, and observed tangible results. The mission highlighted the importance of coordinated multi-agency action and its measurable impact on Syrian communities.

The Republic of Korea's contribution of over US$38 million supported four key areas: debris management and livelihoods; education and WASH and health services; emergency food assistance; and specialised healthcare. These efforts spanned multiple governorates, including Aleppo, Homs, Deir-ez-Zor, Rural Damascus, Idleb, and As-Sweida.

Across the country, debris continues to block transport routes, hinder access to essential services, and pose risks to returning families. Through the US$10 million allocation to the REVIVE initiative, UNDP reached over 400,000 people across Aleppo, Homs, Deir-ez-Zor, and Rural Damascus. More than 570,000 tons of debris were cleared, over 10 km of roads were rehabilitated, around 4,300 income-generating opportunities were created, and mine risk education was delivered to over 12,000 people.

Children and young people are among the most affected by the crisis, facing disrupted schooling, limited access to safe water, and health risks. In response, UNICEF, with a US$15 million component, reached over 1.3 million people across Aleppo, Idleb, Deir-ez-Zor, Rural Damascus, and As-Sweida. Around 684,000 women and children were reached through health services, 51,000 children in formal education, and 1.06 million people with improved access to safe water and sanitation.

Additionally, the Republic of Korea’s US$3 million contribution enabled the World Health Organization to expand access to dialysis treatment and diagnostic imaging in 11 governorates. This support included 35 haemodialysis machines, 20 diagnostic imaging devices, and 40,000 dialysis sessions for about 500 chronic kidney patients, strengthening diagnostic capacity across Syria.

To address food insecurity, the US$10 million contribution to the World Food Programme provided at least 94,500 people across 18,900 households with six months of cash-based assistance, valued at US$390 per household. Additionally, 2,400 metric tons of MAFRA rice were distributed monthly to families in Daret Azza, Aleppo.

The Reviving Hope, Restoring Services, Reaching Communities initiative reflects a shared commitment by the Republic of Korea, the Government of Syria, and the United Nations to respond to urgent humanitarian needs while paving the way for inclusive recovery. By restoring critical services, protecting the most vulnerable, and creating opportunities for resilience, this partnership offers a lifeline of hope and a pathway to stability across Syria.