Hama: Syrian officials are highlighting ongoing government efforts to secure the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their homes, despite significant challenges. Hama Governor Abdul Rahman Al Sahyan has identified the extensive destruction and lack of basic infrastructure, such as water, electricity, and schools, as primary obstacles to the mass return of displaced people. The loss of livelihoods further complicates the situation, making a swift return difficult for many families.
According to Qatar News Agency, Hama Provincial Council is actively working to restore essential services, support local initiatives, and enhance cooperation with humanitarian organizations. Governor Al Sahyan detailed that around 100 villages, mainly in the northern and western countryside of the governorate, have suffered the greatest destruction, affecting approximately half a million displaced persons. While a few thousand have returned, most remain hesitant due to poor conditions.
Efforts are underway in Hama to clear mines and war remnants, reopen main roads, rehabilitate schools and health centers, and extend electricity and water lines. Campaigns like ‘Return Convoys’ and ‘Hama is Pulsating Again’ have been launched to encourage residents to return and assist them in transporting their belongings.
In Aleppo, Director of the Media Office of Aleppo Governorate, Jawad Lababidi, reported on initiatives to facilitate IDPs’ return to liberated villages. Aleppo, Syria’s economic hub, has seen over 35,000 people return to their villages, thanks to joint efforts by the Syrian government and relief organizations. These efforts have focused on providing basic services essential for a dignified and safe return.
Lababidi emphasized the ongoing rehabilitation plans in Aleppo, which aim to restore electricity, clean water, and schools, while also supporting agricultural and economic activities to encourage a sustainable local economy.
Regarding refugees from neighboring countries, Director of Relations at the General Authority for Land and Sea Ports, Mazen Alloush, explained that around 60,000 Syrian refugees returned in March, primarily from Turkey, with others coming from Iraq, Lebanon, and Jordan. Since the liberation, 290,000 Syrian refugees have voluntarily returned, benefitting from government exemptions and allowances for personal belongings and work equipment.
Economic expert Hayyan Abu Rashid highlighted the varied extent of damage across Syrian regions, with some areas experiencing up to 95% destruction. He stressed that the Syrian government cannot shoulder the reconstruction costs alone, especially under ongoing economic sanctions. International aid and investment are crucial for effective reconstruction.
The Syrian government continues its efforts to aid the return of refugees and displaced persons, but significant challenges remain. Addressing these requires extensive local and international cooperation to ensure a dignified and safe existence for all Syrians.
