UNHCR urges more support in Syria as 1 million displaced in north-west yearn for home

GENEVA – Up to 1 million internally displaced people (IDPs) living in camps and displacement sites across north-west Syria intend to return to their areas of origin within the next year, 600,000 of them in the next six months, according to a new survey. 

The survey showed that 51 percent of households intend to return to their areas of origin, with 93 percent planning to go home within three to twelve months. It was carried out between January 26 and February 23. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and partners surveyed 4,800 households – more than 29,000 individuals – in 514 IDP sites across north-west Syria.

As of January, more than 3.4 million IDPs were in north-west Syria, including 1.95 million in 1,500 camps and other displacement sites across the governorates of Idleb and Aleppo. Intentions to return are particularly strong among IDPs in Idleb, where two in three households expressed the desire to head home. Former frontline areas in the Idleb and Aleppo governorates are the primary intended destinations for return, especially the Al Ma’ra and Jebel Samaan districts.

With these returns, the population in Ma’arat An Nu’man and Kafr Nobol (Idleb) areas could rise to 130,000 individuals from 3,000. Overall, 23 districts could see their populations at least double, placing additional strain on overstretched services and infrastructure.

While the emotional desire to return was widespread among those surveyed, IDPs said that obstacles include the lack of humanitarian aid, employment and livelihood opportunities and access to basic services.

This week, at IDP sites in Idleb, UNHCR witnessed the determination of internally displaced Syrians to go home and rebuild, as they now feel safe. For that to be dignified and sustainable, they need jobs, housing, schools, hospitals and basic services like electricity and clean water. They also need support to remove landmines; they cite fear of explosive remnants as their biggest security concern.

Access to housing is among the biggest needs. The survey – conducted by UNHCR, a humanitarian initiative REACH and other camp management partners – reveals that nearly all IDPs planning to return intend to move back to their former homes. However, 80 percent said these are severely damaged or destroyed, rising to 95 percent among the 350,000 IDPs planning to return to the former frontline districts of Al Ma’ra (Idleb) and Suqaylabiyah (Hama).

UNHCR and its partners are providing transport, legal assistance and support in repairing damaged homes as well as mattresses, blankets and winter clothing for the tough months ahead.

Nearly 14 years after the crisis began, Syria is at a crossroads, urgently needing support for rebuilding as years of conflict have devastated the economy and infrastructure, leaving 90 percent of the population reliant on aid.

There is now hope and a historic opportunity. UNHCR calls on the international community to make a firm commitment to support Syrians with essential aid for returnees and by investing in early recovery.

With an injection of support, the international community could help end the world’s largest displacement crisis. This is an opportunity not to be missed. International partners must step up to meet these needs and support immediate and long-term recovery.

Originally posted by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency