Micro-Finance Push for War-Hit Families
Syrian institutions and a multilateral lender launched a program on 20 July 2026 to finance families displaced by the war, opening with a budget of $5 million (USD) that can rise to $10 million. The scheme sits within the government's "Syria Without Camps" plan.
The money is earmarked for micro and small enterprises, with priority given to areas flagged in the "Syria Without Camps" roadmap before the effort extends across all governorates.
Who Is Behind It
The initiative brings together the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority, the Islamic Development Bank, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management, and civil society groups. Financing partnerships include Bank Al-Baraka and other lenders.
The Development Authority's director, Ihab Zakour, said the rollout would begin with field surveys to identify eligible families, followed by training, feasibility studies, and financing arrangements.
How the Money Will Be Used
Funds are set aside for financing micro and small businesses, training and capacity building, and preparing feasibility studies for new ventures. Organizers list job creation and broader economic recovery as the program's core aims.
Under the announced sequence, training and feasibility support come before capital is disbursed, so that recipients are prepared before financing arrives. The money is to reach households through partner microfinance institutions rather than as direct relief, tying support to enterprises that can generate income.
Context for a Fragile Economy
Micro-enterprise lending has become a focus for rebuilding household incomes in Syria, where years of conflict drained savings and cut access to formal banking. The Syrian pound (SYP) has held broadly steady against the dollar over the past day.
Named backers expected to help scale the program nationwide include the Hayat Microfinance Fund, led by Mohammad Al-Baha, and the Syrian Forum Foundation, headed by Ghassan Hitto.