Building hopes with new roads in Syria: one road at a time

The road rehabilitation project in Maskaneh and Khafsa towns improved vital infrastructure, created jobs, and empowered communities through inclusive employment and enhancing connectivity and access to essential services in rural Aleppo, Syria.

15 December 2024

Content also available in: العربية

Women workers rehabilitating a road that becomes water-logged during winter in rural Aleppo, Syria. 14 November 2024.

Rural Aleppo, Syria – Years of conflict in Syria have left much of the country’s infrastructure in ruins, deeply affecting the daily lives of residents. In rural areas like that surrounding the city of Aleppo, damaged roads have hindered access to essential services, disrupted local economies, and isolated communities.

To address these challenges, the ILO, with support from the Syria Humanitarian Fund (SHF), launched a project entitled “Rural Road Rehabilitation to Enhance Decent Work Opportunities and Revive Livelihoods in Syria,” in two areas in Rural Aleppo.

Women workers working alongside men workers to close a pothole. — Women workers working alongside men workers to close a pothole, in rural Aleppo. 14 Novembre 2024.

Works in the Maskaneh area of Rural Aleppo were launched on 29 September 2024 to enhance 13.6 kilometers of critical road axes over a 90-day period. This project not only sought to improve transportation infrastructure but also provided significant employment opportunities for local communities.

Community ties among local workers made efforts more productive, in rural Aleppo. 14 Novembre 2024.

The Maskaneh project employed 182 workers, including 55 women and four persons with disabilities. The aim was to generate over 15,763 working days. However, due to fighting in Syria that led to the fall of the previous regime late last year, work on the project was halted at the end of November after achieving 9,777 working days.

Women workers continued an age-old tradition of physical labour by women such as farmwork in rural areas. 14 Novembre 2024.

The project provided meaningful employment opportunities, especially for women and persons with disabilities, and strengthened community ties in an area striving to recover from the effects of crises.

Women workers expressed their enthusiasm for the project: “We are all from the same town. We know each other well; we are neighbors and visit one another daily because social ties in our town are very strong. Now, through this project, we see each other while working to improve our town, and we are proud to contribute.”

Women workers cleaning the road and removing vegetation that is locally regarded as contributing to desertification in the area. 14 November 2024

The project focused on rehabilitating four vital roadways in Maskaneh, each critical for connectivity and mobility:

Tishreen Road: Comprehensive upgrades improved accessibility.
Al-Sukkaria Road: A key route for local trade and travel.
Al-Andalous Road: Essential for connecting rural areas.
Jwim Road: Crucial for regional integration.

The scope of work included leveling, base layer preparation, asphalt paving, and road cleaning to ensure durability and sustainability. These efforts enhanced access to schools and essential services while supporting local economic activity.

Among the workers was Abboud Ghazal Jawash, a young man with Down’s syndrome known for his enthusiasm and commitment to his role. Abboud’s colleagues deeply respected his dedication, and his supervisor commended his strong work ethic. His mother advocated for him to be assigned responsibilities on par with his peers, emphasizing the positive impact this approach would have on his confidence and independence.

Worker Abboud Ghazal Jawash at work during the project.14 Novembre 2024.

Parallel road rehabilitation works upgraded main and secondary roads in Khafsa town in Rural Aleppo to improve infrastructure and livelihoods for thousands of residents, while also creating essential job opportunities. The Khafsa project employed 165 individuals, including 54 women and 12 persons with disabilities.

Road reinforced with concrete culvert to increase water flow capacity. 17 Novembre 2024.

The project rehabilitated key roads to serve as vital lifelines for the community, ensuring improved access to essential services:

Khirbat Shihab Road: Leveled and compacted, with existing culverts cleaned and unclogged to prevent flooding. A reinforced concrete culvert was also constructed for water management.
Khafsa Northern Entrance Culvert: Expanded and reinforced with concrete flooring to increase water flow capacity and stabilize the road.
Road to Civil Registry Office: Rehabilitated to enhance accessibility.
Dhakhira Village Roads: Leveled and graveled to improve access to the local school, addressing challenges faced by children and teachers navigating muddy roads in winter.
Khafsa Saghir Road: Widened to meet Proctor standards for long-term durability.
Hazoum Pump Station Road: Vegetation cleared, potholes repaired, and critical routes asphalted, improving connectivity between Khafsa and Maskaneh towns.

Workers rehabilitating a road next to a local school, in rural Aleppo. 17 Novembre 2024.

The project has not only improved transportation but also empowered communities, paving the way for long-term growth and enhanced quality of life. These efforts represent a critical step in rehabilitating and revitalizing regions across Syria, offering a model for impactful and sustainable development.