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Syria initiative sees over 100 families return home, demining begins
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Energy & Infrastructure

Syria initiative sees over 100 families return home, demining begins

From Asharq Al-Awsat · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Ongoing story
  • Over 100 families voluntarily returned to their homes in Syria's Hama province on Sunday as part of the 'Syria Without Camps' initiative.
  • Demining operations also began in northeastern Syria to clear the way for displaced residents to return to the Ras al-Ain countryside.
  • The initiative aims to support returning Syrians, strengthen communities, and end displacement by rehabilitating war-damaged areas.

A convoy of approximately 106 families voluntarily returned to Kafr Zita in northern Hama province on Sunday, marking a step forward for the "Syria Without Camps" initiative. This program, overseen by the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management, aims to facilitate the return of displaced Syrians to their hometowns.

Families are being transported with their belongings and provided with non-food relief items to ensure a safe and dignified return.

— Manaf HammamUNHCR's camp coordination and management officer explaining the support provided to returning families.

The "Syria Without Camps" initiative works in coordination with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and humanitarian organizations. It seeks to bolster stability in local communities and end internal displacement. The effort is guided by Decree No. 59, which focuses on rehabilitating war-affected areas and creating conditions for safe returns.

Manaf Hammam, UNHCR's camp coordination and management officer, stated that the convoy was part of the agency's voluntary return program. Families receive transportation, their belongings, and essential non-food items to ensure a safe and dignified resettlement. "Meeting basic needs is crucial for returnees to resettle," Hammam told the state-run SANA news agency.

Meeting basic needs is crucial for returnees to resettle.

— Manaf HammamUNHCR's camp coordination and management officer stressing the importance of aid for resettlement.

Meanwhile, in northeastern Syria, demining operations commenced along the Zarkan–Tal Tamr road. This effort is intended to clear landmines and unexploded ordnance, paving the way for thousands of displaced people to return to the Ras al-Ain countryside in Hasakah province. Local sources indicate the operation aims to secure roads and farmland, accelerating returns to villages between Zarkan and Tal Tamr.

Families are being transported with their belongings and provided with non-food relief items to ensure a safe and dignified return.

— Manaf HammamUNHCR's camp coordination and management officer explaining the support provided to returning families.

One returnee, Mohammed Abdullah Qasim, expressed his joy at returning to his hometown after 14 years of displacement. He recounted years of hardship and oppression, during which five family members were killed. Qasim credited the availability of aid and support as key factors in his decision to return home. This follows several other voluntary return convoys that departed northern Syria in late July.

Meeting basic needs is crucial for returnees to resettle.

— Manaf HammamUNHCR's camp coordination and management officer stressing the importance of aid for resettlement.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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