Syrian Reunion: A Kiwi Meets Her Colleagues at Last

According to humanitarian worker Anne Bulley, who recently completed an eight-day visit to Syria with ReliefAid founder Mike Seawright, the country is navigating a profound recovery following the fall of the Assad government in late 2024. While international attention shifts toward active conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and Iran, millions of Syrians are grappling with widespread destruction, strict banking sanctions, and a severe shortage of rebuilding funds, yet they are finally daring to hope again after the war claimed more than half a million lives.

The Ground Reality in Aleppo: Rubble, Resilience, and Relief

Arriving at the airport in Aleppo, Bulley witnessed crowds of people hugging and crying as relatives returned home for the first time. According to her interview with The Detail, the physical destruction across the city is immense, with building after building reduced to rubble. Despite heavy security presence, checkpoints, and armed personnel on the streets, Bulley reported feeling safe as locals welcomed strangers into their homes for tea and food.

Hundreds of thousands of displaced individuals still reside in camps, lacking permanent housing. To address this, ReliefAid operates education programs for children trapped in these camps. Bulley noted that these young students are hungry for an education and a future, though many still suffer from severe war trauma. One aid worker shared that her children remain instantly traumatised whenever an aircraft flies overhead.

A Pediatrician’s Journey Through Conflict

Among the stories of resilience highlighted by Bulley is that of 28-year-old Syrian doctor named Raghad. When the war began, Raghad was a teenager whose school closed after protests erupted and government forces opened fire, forcing her to stay home for two years. Makeshift lessons eventually started in private homes, allowing her to eventually return to school under fire and without electricity, often studying by candlelight.

Raghad later attended Aleppo University to study medicine amidst continuous bombardments and power cuts. When the Assad forces were finally being pushed out of Aleppo, she worked in a hospital where children were moved to the ground floor during bombings. Doctors prepared for the worst by wrapping bandages around their torsos and writing names, dates of birth, and parent contact numbers in case families became separated.

Funding Shortfalls and International Sanctions Stifle Recovery

Despite the end of major combat operations, Syria faces steep economic barriers. Bulley stated that global funding has dried up as donors focus on newer geopolitical crises, leaving organizations like ReliefAid struggling to secure financial support. Furthermore, international sanctions and strict restrictions on the banking sector prevent necessary money and private investment from entering the country.

However, aid recipients emphasize self-sufficiency over permanent aid dependency. Bulley shared a sentiment from a local colleague who expressed a desire to eventually stop working for ReliefAid because Syria will no longer need external assistance. Bulley projects that if things can open up for Syria, you will see a very different country in five years.

Frequently Asked Questions

What caused the shift in Syria’s political landscape?

For millions of Syrians, though the war ended with the fall of the Assad government in late 2024, it hasn’t simply disappeared – its consequences are everywhere, after a conflict that claimed more than half a million lives.

Why is it difficult to send money and investment into Syria?

According to aid workers returning from the region, sanctions and restrictions on banking are making it difficult for money and investment to enter the country.

What organizations are currently helping children in Syrian displacement camps?

ReliefAid, founded by Mike Seawright, runs education programmes inside displacement camps for children stuck living in these camps with no access to school.