It was hoped the end of the civil war would bring relief and a measure of prosperity to Syria. Visiting the ruined town of Daraya near Damascus, DW's correspondent found out that rebuilding has barely begun.

Darayya

The town of Darayya in Syria, once home to over 200,000 people, remains heavily damaged nearly a year after the fall of the Assad government. Despite promises of rebuilding and accountability, residents report that reconstruction has barely begun and many continue to live in destroyed homes.

Economic challenges, including inflation and a collapsing economy, have made it difficult for locals to afford repairs. Survivors like Jamal Bayraktar and Issa Al-Jassim describe ongoing hardship, lack of support, and the absence of justice for wartime atrocities.

Syria still scarred after 14-year civil war

A year ago these streets were filled with hope that the fall of the Assad regime would mark a new beginning. But almost 12 months later, Darayya still lies in ruins. This town was home to more than 200,000 people. Government airstrikes tore it to pieces during the civil war. And although that government is gone, here the future feels uncertain. We came here and met Jamal Bayraktar a year ago, just after the government fell. This is what his home and salt factory looked like then. Coming back now, nothing has changed. I cannot rebuild the factory. I can't repair my house either. I can't even afford to install a window. I'm broke. I have nothing. Why is there no rebuilding? No one is helping. If you have your own money, it's possible to rebuild. But otherwise not. And I don't have money. The basement Jamal showed us last year, the site of mass killings during the war, remains untouched. The air still feels thick with dust and grief. The government promised rebuilding and accountability. But here in Darayya, the past still sits in plain sight. And the future feels far away. Jamal's neighbour, Issa Al-Jassim, tells stories of loss and of waiting. He says the war is over, but peace has not yet arrived. I witnessed the massacres here. And I buried two of the victims here on my land, my two cousins. I buried them here behind me. There has still not been any accountability. We have absolutely no information that the criminals were arrested or brought to justice. Like most of his neighbours who are still in Darayya, Issa lives in his destroyed, roofless home. Across Syria, reconstruction is piecemeal and has barely begun. The economy is collapsing, inflation is soaring, putting the cost of rebuilding beyond reach for many. At 64, Jamal works as a gardener to survive. I am working for my children. Why would I do it otherwise? I do all this only for them. That's it. One year after the fall of Assad, people in Darayya are still waiting for the bulldozers, the builders and a new beginning. For more UN videos visit www.un.org

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Breakdown