Critical Infrastructure and Rehabilitation

Conflict can degrade or destroy critical assets such as agricultural networks, electrical grids and transport systems. Independent evidence on asset conditions, local governance and supply-chain constraints is essential to ensure rehabilitation addresses existing vulnerabilities.

Conflict is responsible for degrading or completely destroying critical strategic assets, including agricultural networks, electrical grids and transport systems. The collapse of these essential facilities deteriorates living standards, paralyses economic activity and accelerates displacement. However, rehabilitation efforts are beset by contextual risks and logistical complexities, such as opaque or overlapping regulatory frameworks, contested asset ownership, informal power dynamics and highly volatile security environments. In the absence of independent data and local insight regarding asset conditions, management capacities, and supply-chain obstacles, large-scale infrastructure development may exacerbate pre-existing deficiencies and vulnerabilities rather than contribute to viable rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Sector expertise

How We Help Clients

MECS brings extensive experience in infrastructure rehabilitation by combining advanced technical knowledge, technological verification and engineering expertise. In particular, we specialise in independently monitoring and assessing complex physical assets across contested or inaccessible areas. Our operational model leverages localised field networks to conduct detailed and site-specific physical audits, while our technical team integrates remote sensing technologies, satellite imagery and GIS mapping to track structural integrity and rehabilitation progress in real time. This approach results in holistic capacity assessments that not only evaluate physical structures, but also the local governance, regulatory compliance, stakeholder networks and community dynamics required to strategically sustain them.

successful project

Selected case studies

Selected case studies and publications across this expertise area are available on the Case Studies page.

The Role of Tribes in the Release of IS Combatants in Northeast Syria
Study of the role tribes play in the release and reintegration of IS combatants in northeast Syria, including community brokering, accountability and security trade-offs.
The Role of Tribes in the Release of IS Combatants in Northeast Syria
Do Syrian Communities Perceive Former IS Combatants as a Threat?
Perception study on how Syrian communities view the reintegration of former IS combatants — exploring threat perception, security concerns and conditions for acceptance.
Do Syrian Communities Perceive Former IS Combatants as a Threat?
Between States of Movement
Research note on patterns of secondary movement and displacement transitions across Syria, and what they reveal about household decision-making under prolonged uncertainty.
Between States of Movement
Durable Solutions for Internally Displaced Persons in Syria
Long-form research on durable solutions for IDPs in Syria — return, local integration, settlement elsewhere — and the conditions under which each pathway becomes viable.
Durable Solutions for Internally Displaced Persons in Syria
Deir-ez-Zor Rapid Needs Assessment — February 2025
Multi-sectoral rapid needs assessment in Deir-ez-Zor governorate. 416 households surveyed across 7 communities to identify protection, shelter, livelihoods and basic services needs.
Deir-ez-Zor Rapid Needs Assessment — February 2025

Let’s Collaborate with Us!

Whether you need field-based evidence, independent verification or specialist advice, MECS can shape a service around your operating context and decision needs.

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