The Syrian Future Movement issues this statement regarding the call made by the Governor of Aleppo, Engineer Azzam al-Gharib, on March 7, 2026, to evacuate buildings at risk of collapse and to immediately report any structural damage, following the collapse of a residential building in the Ashrafieh neighborhood that claimed the lives of at least eight people, with rescue operations still ongoing.
The Syrian Future Movement affirms that the safety of citizens is an absolute national priority, and that this structural crisis extends beyond Aleppo to encompass all Syrian cities affected by conflict and natural disasters, necessitating comprehensive reforms across the entire country to prevent the recurrence of such tragedies.
The Syrian Future Movement acknowledges the importance of the official call for action as a first step to save lives, but it comes as a belated response after repeated incidents, such as the collapse of a building in the Al-Amiriya neighborhood at the end of February 2026.
This observation is based on reports from the Syrian Civil Defense and the Engineers Syndicate, which indicate that thousands of buildings were damaged by bombing between 2012 and 2016, a situation exacerbated by damage to water and sewage networks, haphazard construction, and unsound repairs, in addition to the repercussions of the 2023 earthquake.
The Syrian Future Movement demands the declaration of a national construction emergency within 72 hours, including the formation of a central emergency committee comprising representatives from all affected governorates (Aleppo, Damascus, Homs, Latakia, and others), along with representatives from the Civil Defense, the Engineers Syndicate, and civil society.
We also demand that the committee conduct a precise survey of dangerous buildings nationwide within 30 days, and publish a publicly accessible interactive map. The Syrian Future Movement emphasizes the necessity of the immediate and organized evacuation of all buildings classified as “dilapidated” or “high-risk” in all governorates, with the provision of temporary alternative housing (schools, shelters, prefabricated housing) and monthly financial compensation for affected families until the completion of repairs or safe demolition.
The Syrian Future Movement calls for a national program for engineering assessment and evaluation covering all affected Syrian cities, with the mobilization of specialized teams supported by international organizations such as the United Nations and the European Union within 60 days, and mandatory reporting via a hotline with symbolic rewards for informants.
The Syrian Future Movement demands a long-term, nationwide rehabilitation and safe demolition plan, with an emergency budget allocation from the 2026-2027 state budget (no less than 5% of the total budget), in addition to requesting international support from organizations such as the World Bank and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), prioritizing safe demolition and reconstruction according to earthquake-resistant standards.
The Syrian Future Movement emphasizes the necessity of accountability and transparency in all governorates, through the publication of public monthly reports and investigations into the reasons for past delays, while holding accountable any administrative negligence or corruption in licensing or illegal renovations.
The Syrian Future Movement is committed to following up on this vital national issue and warns that any further delay will cost innocent lives.
We call upon all national forces and civil society to exert joint pressure to translate these demands into effective measures that protect the Syrian people throughout the country. Public safety is paramount.
