After over a decade of conflict, a senior United Nations official has emphasized the urgent need to rebuild Syria, warning that reconstruction is essential not only for Syrians but for the stability of the entire region. The country faces enormous challenges, with the World Bank estimating the cost of rebuilding at up to $216 billion. Years of war have left Syria's infrastructure in ruins, with widespread destruction of homes, schools, and hospitals, as well as a dangerous legacy of unexploded ordnance. The lack of basic services and job opportunities is also discouraging many displaced Syrians from returning home, despite hopes for a higher rate of return following the recent change in leadership.