It has been more than a month since the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria, marking the end of a 13-year revolution. This event brought hope to me and to the millions of Syrians who have long struggled for justice, freedom and dignity.

In just a few weeks, a lot has changed. After being banned from most of Syria for years, Syria Relief/Action for Humanity, the humanitarian organization I work for, has established an official office in Damascus. A colleague who spent most of his life in Türkiye is thrilled to return to his home in the Syrian capital and rebuild his life there.

One of my close friends, who had not seen his family inside Syria for over a decade, was able to travel to his hometown of Homs and meet his loved ones. Personally, I am looking forward to showing my children – all of whom were born in Türkiye – a Syria that is very different from the one I grew up in.

Amid the overwhelming joy of seeing our country free and at peace, there is also an awareness of the enormous challenges that lie ahead. The realities of the current social and economic situation in Syria are horrific.

The past 13 years of untold suffering, destruction and displacement cannot be erased overnight. Vital infrastructure has been destroyed, including roads, the electricity network and water pipelines. The economy is in tatters as trade and supply chains continue to be disrupted.

Syria’s education system stands in a state of near collapse in many parts of the country with many schools either destroyed or still being used as shelters for internally displaced people. According to UNICEF, more than 2.4 million children are out of school, and another million are at risk of dropping out. This increases the likelihood of negative coping mechanisms, such as child labor and child marriage.

Education – especially at the primary and secondary levels – needs to be prioritized to prevent an entire generation from being lost to illiteracy. It is also important to note that universities were greatly affected as many facilities were damaged and students were forced to abandon their studies.

Landmines and other explosive remnants of war pose another major obstacle to Syria’s recovery. The danger they pose is severe, especially to children. Last month alone, there were at least 80 people, including 12 children killing Due to mine-related accidents.

Half of Syria’s population now lives in areas contaminated with landmines. As displaced people begin to return to their homes, the dangers posed by these explosives cannot be ignored.

Meanwhile, external interventions continue to fuel instability, and pockets of violence persist.

Given all of this, I am deeply concerned about the decision taken by many countries hosting Syrian refugees to suspend asylum applications. Make no mistake, Syrians want nothing more than to return to their country. It is our home, and we look forward to being a part of rebuilding it.

But Syria is not yet ready for a large-scale return. Host countries must wait until returns are safe, dignified and sustainable. In the meantime, they should allow Syrians to return temporarily to assess the situation without fear of being denied return.

For Syria to become suitable for a mass return of refugees, there are a number of areas where it needs external support.

First, international donors must mobilize additional resources to meet urgent humanitarian needs in Syria. As of 2024, 16.7 million people were in need of assistance, the highest number since the start of the conflict in 2011.

Funds are needed to address food shortages, support the return of displaced people to their homes, and provide shelter and basic health services.

Priority must be given to local and national organizations that have proven effective on the ground in distributing funding with flexible mechanisms that allow adaptive response to the ever-changing situation.

Second, education for Syria’s children must be prioritized. Creating safe learning spaces for children is vital to prevent an entire generation from losing access to education.

Third, Syria needs help in the political rehabilitation process. Hundreds of thousands of people suffered political violence under the previous regime. Survivors of torture and enforced disappearance must receive specialized care, and compensation must be provided to the families of the disappeared and the deceased.

Syria also needs international cooperation to achieve justice for the crimes committed by the Assad regime, whether through international courts or transitional justice mechanisms. These efforts are critical to supporting accountability.

Fourth, economic recovery cannot continue while Syria remains under sanctions. There must be diplomatic engagement with the transitional authorities in Damascus and a re-evaluation of economic restrictions. Sanctions impede the delivery of humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts.

Fifth, Syria needs help clearing landmines and removing unexploded ordnance. This is a crucial step to ensure the safety of displaced Syrians who want to return to their homes.

It is important for me to stress that Syrians do not want to remain in a state of emergency and rely on aid; We are ready for reconstruction and development.

After years of darkness, we can finally see the light. Syria’s future is in our hands, but solidarity and cooperation from the international community are essential so that we can meet pressing challenges. Together, we can help Syria rebuild, so it is stronger, more inclusive and more just than ever before.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of Al Jazeera.