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Preliminary Investigations Raise Suspicions of the Acquisition of Real Estate Assets Linked to Humanitarian Aid in Syria
Sources who said they were affiliated with the “Syrian International Organization for Business”—which they indicated was established under the supervision of the World Bank in 2017—reported suspected cases involving the acquisition of real estate investments in regional and European countries by some humanitarian workers and former officials of organizations that had been affiliated with the former Syrian government.
According to the sources, some of these funds may have resulted from the diversion or embezzlement of money allocated for humanitarian aid that was distributed through organizations operating in Syria. The sources have not, so far, provided financial documents or court rulings substantiating these allegations. The information could also not be independently verified, nor was it possible to determine the value of the funds or assets in question.
The statements also included allegations against "Rana Marei", the former chair of the board of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent branch in Tartous Governorate. She was accused of involvement in alleged violations related to the management or diversion of humanitarian aid, as well as of using family members as fronts for real estate investments outside Syria. The sources referred to alleged family ties and shared interests with figures connected to the former Syrian regime, without presenting sufficient publicly available evidence to establish those links or the nature of the alleged violations.
The sources further claimed that some members of the family in question were linked to investments in the steel and metals sectors, and that assets belonging to them—including an iron factory—had been frozen. However, this information requires verification through official records and judicial or financial decisions issued by the relevant authorities in the countries concerned.
The sources said that Marei continues to reside in Syria and that she had previously been responsible for the Red Crescent branch in the city of Tartous. It was not possible to obtain a response from her or from the Syrian Arab Red Crescent regarding these allegations. According to the information available, no official statements have been issued confirming or denying the claims.
These allegations come amid growing calls for an independent audit of the management of humanitarian aid and assets linked to officials and organizations that operated during the years of the Syrian war, as well as for the publication of financial documents and investigation findings. All allegations contained in this report remain judicially unproven pending the emergence of reliable evidence or final rulings by the competent authorities.
