Over 300,000 Refugees and IDPs Have Returned to Syria Since Assad’s Overthrow
The United Nations reports that over 300,000 refugees and nearly a million IDPs have returned to Syria since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad. Many are returning from Turkey, responding to an urgent need for housing and services as the country’s civil war continues to cause displacement. UNHCR estimates that over $170 million is required to meet essential needs.
According to the United Nations, over 300,000 refugees have returned to Syria following the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad. Additionally, around a million internally displaced persons (IDPs) have returned to their homes. Celine Schmitt from the UN refugee agency UNHCR reported that this milestone was reached since the fall of Assad on December 8, driven in part by the return of refugees primarily from Turkey, which currently hosts nearly three million Syrian refugees.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that more than 133,000 Syrians residing in Turkey have now returned to Syria. The initial rebel offensive that led to Assad’s fall marked the beginning of a severe civil war that resulted in over half a million deaths and displaced millions, which remains the largest global displacement crisis. Schmitt noted that many who fled the conflict are eager to return to their homes.
Furthermore, Schmitt reported that approximately 900,000 internally displaced individuals within Syria have also returned to their areas of origin. A recent UNHCR survey revealed that a million IDPs living in camps across northwestern Syria plan to return home in the upcoming year. The survey, which assessed 4,800 households in displacement sites, indicated that over half intend to return to their hometowns within a year.
As of January, more than 3.4 million IDPs were residing in northwestern Syria, primarily within 1,500 camps and sites across Idlib and Aleppo. In particular, IDPs in Idlib exhibited a strong desire to return, with Schmitt cautioning that communities such as Maarat An-Numan and Kafr Nobol could see significant population surges, leading to strain on local services. Specifically, 23 districts risk considerable population influx, damaging already stretched infrastructure.
Schmitt emphasized that access to housing is the foremost requirement for those returning, as 80 percent of IDPs reported that their homes are severely damaged or destroyed. The UNHCR has reached out to international donors, citing the need for over $170 million to cover essential services, yet received less than 10% funding for planned initiatives.
In summary, the return of over 300,000 refugees and nearly one million IDPs to Syria marks a significant development following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad. While there is a clear desire among the displaced to return home, substantial challenges remain, particularly in housing and essential services. Targeted aid and international funding will be crucial to support these efforts and prevent further strain on already vulnerable areas.
Original Source: www.newarab.com