More than 115,000 people have reportedly returned to Syria from countries such as Türkiye, Jordan and Lebanon since 8 December – the fall of the Assad regime – the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said on Thursday. The information is based on public statements by host countries, contacts with immigration services from inside Syria, and border monitoring by the agency and partners.
UNHCR said the Turkish Minister of Interior reported that 35,113 Syrians have voluntarily returned home. For its part, Jordan noted that more than 22,000 people have entered Syria through its territory, 3,100 of whom were registered refugees.
UNHCR teams noticed a shift in demographics of returnees from Jordan this week, with more women and children returning rather than men travelling alone. “When interviewed, some families reported that the head of household would stay in Jordan for several more months in order to earn money that will support the family’s re-integration inside Syria before joining them,” the agency said.
Approximately 664,000 people remain newly displaced across Syria, mainly in Idlib and Aleppo governorates. The majority, 75 per cent, are women and children. Moreover, nearly 486,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) have returned to their areas of origin, mainly in Hama and Aleppo governorates. “Prevailing insecurity – including armed clashes, increased criminal activity, and unexploded ordnance – continues to present challenges for civilians and will likely influence the potential decision to return home faced by Syrians living outside the country,” UNHCR said.
The agency continues to engage with caretaker authorities, which includes a meeting held this past Sunday with the Governor’s Office in Dar’a to discuss humanitarian needs there. UNHCR also continues to visit active border crossings, monitor processes, and listen to Syrians crossing back into the country about their priorities and needs.Furthermore, rehabilitation of 200 partially damaged houses in Rural Damascus has resumed, with completion expected by the end of this month.
Core relief and winter items have also been distributed to returnee families in Damascus, Homs and Idlib governorates as well as to IDPs living in collective centres and unfinished buildings across Ar-Raqqa and Al-Hassakeh governorates.
Source: The UN
The post Over 115,000 Syrians have returned home since end of Assad dictatorship appeared first on Vastuullisuusuutiset.fi.