Aleppo, 26 June 2019 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Syria has officially concluded the activities of reviving and supporting the livelihoods of 199 workshop and shop owners in four souks in the old city of Aleppo, namely Al-Khabieh, Al-Mahmas, Al-Sham and Al-Nahaseen.

Aleppo, once Syria's vibrant commercial capital, is one of the cities most affected by the crisis in Syria. After UNDP has benefitted more than 7000 residents and returnees by removing 2,500 tons of debris from the souks’ areas, allowing access to houses and shops. In partnership with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, Roman Catholic Archbishopric, and the Syrian Orthodox Archdiocese and with the generous financial support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Government of Japan, UNDP assisted workshops and shops owners within these markets to help them recover their livelihoods and maintain a sustainable income and therefore revive the markets.  Through provision of equipment, shelves, storefronts rehabilitation, raw materials, and assets; 65 shops in Al-Khabieh, 27 shops in Al-Mahmas, 17 shops in Al-Sham, and 45 workshops in Al-Nahaseen are now back to life and providing residents with important services and commodities.

UNDP, in cooperation with the International Trade Centre (ITC), has implemented an additional unique initiative in Al-Nahaseen souk where 16 copper-artisans and 10 women who work in embroidery received advanced training in design and branding to help them develop their abilities and promote their products to international markets. To pass down their traditional craft to the young generation, the copper artisans also trained 32 young men.

For further information, please contact:

Sergei Pushkarev, Head of Aleppo Office, sergei.pushkarev@undp.org, Tel: +963 996 666138

Aline Lahdo, Project Manager, Aline.lahdo@undp.org, Tel: +963 99 66 66 127

Giacomo Negrotto, Partnership Development Officer, giacomo.negrotto@undp.org, Tel: +963 99 33 38 908

Asma’ Nashawati, Communications Associate, asma.nashawati@undp.org, Tel: +963 99 33 00 193

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