Syria

SYRIA, ALEPPO : A Syrian man reacts while standing on the rubble of his house while others look for survivors and bodies in the Tariq al-Bab district of the northern city of Aleppo on February 23, 2013.

AFP PHOTO/PABLO TOSCO

Supporting Syrian efforts to enable an inclusive, peaceful, and participatory political transition.

Background

Syria is in the midst of a brutal conflict that has claimed more than 60,000 lives.  Fighting between the Assad regime and opposition groups continues throughout the country.  The U.N. reports that the conflict has affected 4 million people inside Syria, including at least 2.5 million internally displaced people.  In addition, the conflict has displaced nearly 600,000 people to neighboring countries. 

The OTI Syria program seeks to further U.S. foreign policy interests in the region by building a foundation for a successful transition from conflict to peace and from authoritarianism to more open and inclusive governance.  This includes supporting a civil, peaceful and democratic transition and laying the groundwork for longer-term development assistance.  The OTI Syria program is currently being implemented by Development Alternatives, Inc. (DAI) and Chemonics International.

Program Description

USAID/OTI’s program supports Syrian efforts to build inclusive and accountable governance structures that reflect the will and needs of the Syrian people.  Through assistance to emergent governing bodies and civil society, OTI strengthens the capacity of key institutions to identify and respond to local needs, and supports nonsectarian actors seeking to constructively participate in the political transition.  Projects can address planning, administration, outreach, service delivery, and other essential governance functions; and community-identified priorities such as reconciliation, education, and access to information.