UNDP Launches Model Wastewater Treatment Plant For Sustainable Agriculture In Rural Damascus

A pioneering project advancing climate adaptation, protecting the environment, and strengthening community resilience in Syria

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with the support of the Adaptation Fund, and in partnership with the Ministry of Local Administration and Environment (MoLAE), the Ministry of Energy for Water Resources and Rural Damascus Governorate, inaugurated the Zibdeen Wastewater Treatment Plant in Eastern Ghouta, Rural Damascus. The event marked a tangible step towards climate adaptation, sustainable water management, and livelihood recovery in Syria.

The project was made possible through a US$4.89M in funding from the Adaptation Fund. As part of the intervention, UNDP rehabilitated 2.1 kilometres of sewage networks and 50.7 kilometres of irrigation canals, ensuring efficient wastewater flow and safe reuse in agriculture. Together, these efforts form the backbone of a sustainable water management system that supports farmers, protects natural resources, and strengthens local resilience to climate change.

During the inauguration, Mr Amer Al-Sheikh, Governor of Rural Damascus, highlighted the plant’s contribution to strengthening agriculture, supporting the local economy, and advancing the governorate’s broader environmental and agricultural strategy. Echoing this, Dr Yousef Sharaf, Deputy Minister of Local Administration and Environment, noted that the plant’s capacity to treat over 4,000 cubic meters of wastewater daily will meet current and future needs, ensure compliance with national irrigation standards, and safely process sludge for reuse. From the water sector’s perspective, Engineer Osama Abu Zaid, Deputy Minister of Energy for Water Resources, emphasised that the project marks a significant step toward improving environmental and service conditions in Rural Damascus and advancing efficient water-resource management. Representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Mohammad Bathish stressed the importance of international partnerships in supporting Syria’s recovery efforts, commending UNDP’s role and acknowledging the contributions of global partners to the country’s recovery roadmap.

The Zibdeen facility, one of Syria’s first decentralised wastewater treatment plants, will treat over 4,000 cubic meters of wastewater every day, turning it into safe irrigation water that will benefit about 50,000 people in surrounding communities. The project also created 260 short-term job opportunities during construction and secured 36 permanent jobs for operation and maintenance. It will contribute to improved livelihoods, food security, and environmental protection, while helping communities adapt to the effects of climate change and water scarcity.

“Mleha and Zibdeen stand today as an example of how communities are transforming a challenge into an opportunity,” said Dr Muhammed Mudawi, UNDP Resident Representative a.i. in Syria. “This strategic project is turning wastewater into a productive resource that revitalises agriculture, protects the environment, encourages safe, dignified and voluntary returns, and helps communities rebuild their livelihoods with dignity. We are grateful for the leadership of the Ministry of Energy for Water Resources and the Ministry of Local Administration and Environment, and the support received from the Adaptation Fund. This initiative also reflects the strength of our joint work as UN agencies – UNDP-UN-Habitat and FAO to meet the needs of the people. The plant we inaugurated today is a model we aim to scale across Syria to bring back life to communities and prove that recovery is not only possible, but is already underway,” he added.

The wastewater treatment plant forms part of “Increasing the climate change resilience of communities in Eastern Ghouta in Rural Damascus to water scarcity challenges through integrated natural resource management and immediate adaptation interventions” programme, funded by the Adaptation Fund and implemented by UN-Habitat in cooperation with UNDP and FAO, in partnership with the Ministry of Local Administration and Environment. Through this joint framework, the three UN agencies combined their technical expertise in urban planning, natural resource management, and sustainable livelihoods to deliver complementary interventions that strengthen water security, support agricultural recovery, and enhance the resilience of climate-vulnerable communities in Syria.

The Zibdeen plant is a model for how climate action can drive recovery, restore ecosystems, and strengthen the livelihoods of farmers and families who depend on agriculture. UNDP will continue to expand similar climate-resilient water projects across Syria, ensuring that innovation, sustainability, and community participation remain central to recovery efforts.