Alwaleed Philanthropies (Global), and UN-Habitat Restore Water Supply for 600,000 Residents in Eastern Aleppo
Alwaleed Philanthropies Global, chaired by HRH Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud, , UN-Habitat and the Governorate of Aleppo in Syria, celebrated the successful completion of the project “Restoration of Water Supply to Vulnerable Communities in Eastern Aleppo”. This initiative represents a significant milestone in the city’s urban recovery efforts, restoring sustainable access to safe and clean water for 600,000 residents in the neighborhoods of Tel Shegheb, Karm Al-Myassar, Al-Nayrab, and Qadi Askar District.
The project rehabilitated critical sections of Eastern Aleppo’s damaged water infrastructure, including restoring the main water transmission pipeline and repairing associated household connections. These interventions have substantially improved water access, reduced leakage-related water losses, and enhanced the reliability and sustainability of essential services for the city’s most vulnerable communities. Beyond restoring water services, the project supported community-led rehabilitation of public spaces and the road infrastructure affected by the excavation works. These improvements have contributed to safer, more accessible and more livable neighborhoods, while reinforcing broader urban recovery and resilience efforts across eastern Aleppo.
In the closing ceremony, the Member of the Executive Office in Charge of Water and Agriculture in the Governorate of Aleppo, Dr. Farhad Khorto, said:
“Rebuilding cities is not only about restoring streets and infrastructure; it is first and foremost about restoring people's lives. Reconstruction has little value without dignity, and development has no true meaning unless citizens experience its benefits in their homes and everyday lives. In the Aleppo Governorate, our vision is to place people at the heart of every project, ensure that essential services reach those who need them most, and transform relief and recovery efforts into sustainable development that reflects the aspirations of the people of this city. We believe that the recovery of Aleppo is a shared responsibility, requiring the combined efforts of government institutions, international organizations, development partners, and local communities.”
Ms. Reem Mallawi, Executive Manager of Global Initiatives of Alwaleed Philanthropies, stated:
“At Alwaleed Philanthropies, we believe that recovery begins with meeting people’s basic needs, and that access to clean water is fundamental to living with dignity. Through our partnership with UN-Habitat, we have contributed to rehabilitating water supply systems for approximately 600,000 people in eastern Aleppo, helping improve living conditions for families and restore the essentials of daily life. We believe that recovery goes beyond rebuilding infrastructure; it is about improving people’s lives and creating safer, more livable environments.”
Ms. Rania Hedeya, Director of UN-Habitat’s Regional Office for Arab States, said:
“Behind every rehabilitated pipe and restored connection are families who can once again rely on safe water in their homes, children who can attend school without disruption, and communities that can look to the future with greater confidence. This was made possible by a community-led approach that engaged local residents in improving their neighborhoods, and by the strong partnership between UN-Habitat, Alwaleed Philanthropies and the Governorate of Aleppo. The recovery of Aleppo is far from complete, and UN-Habitat remains fully committed to supporting Aleppo and other cities across Syria on their path to recovery and sustainable development.”
The project demonstrates the shared commitment of Alwaleed Philanthropies Global and UN-Habitat to supporting sustainable urban recovery in Syria and the impact that can be achieved by partnering on the rehabilitation of critical infrastructure, the strengthening of community resilience, and the improvement of living conditions for vulnerable populations.
About Alwaleed Philanthropies
Over four decades, Alwaleed Philanthropies has supported and spent more than 5 billion dollars on social welfare and initiated more than 1000 projects in over 190 countries, managed by 10 Saudi female members, and reaching more than 1.5 billion beneficiaries around the world, regardless of gender, race, or religion. Alwaleed Philanthropies collaborates with a range of philanthropic, governmental, and nongovernmental to combat poverty, empower women and youth, develop communities, provide disaster relief, and create cultural understanding through education. It seeks to build bridges for a more compassionate, tolerant, and accepting world.
