The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has sent a team to Syria for the first time since 2009, as part of efforts to help the country recover from its long civil war and economic collapse. The visit took place in Damascus from June 1 to June 5, the IMF confirmed on Tuesday.

The purpose of the visit was to talk to Syria’s new government about their goals and how the IMF can help them rebuild the economy. The civil war, which started in 2011, caused major destruction and suffering across the country. Syria’s former president, Bashar al-Assad, was removed from power in December after a sudden attack by Islamist-led rebel forces. Ron van Rooden, who led the IMF mission, said,

"Syria faces enormous challenges following years of conflict that caused immense human suffering and reduced its economy to a fraction of its former size."

He also noted that around six million people have left Syria, and another seven million have been forced to leave their homes inside the country.

"Output has plummeted, real incomes have fallen sharply, and poverty rates are high."
he added. He also said that state institutions are now weak, and much of Syria’s infrastructure has been destroyed.

"There is great urgency to address these challenges and achieve a sustainable economic recovery," van Rooden said at the end of the visit.

The IMF had last reviewed Syria’s economy in 2009, before the war began. Now, Syria’s new government is trying to restore relations with international groups, including financial ones like the IMF and the World Bank.

In April, Saudi Arabia and Qatar said they would pay Syria’s $15 million debt to the World Bank. This will allow Syria to start receiving financial and technical help from the bank again.

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