Brussels
Adam Abdel Mawla, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria, stated that the return of Syrian refugees depends heavily on the restoration of basic infrastructure and services.
In a post on X on Friday, June 20, marking World Refugee Day, Abdel Mawla wrote, “The sustainable return of Syrian refugees to their country requires livelihoods, infrastructure, and services that provide them with a decent life.”
He added, “The United Nations is committed to helping Syria and its people recover.”
Abdel Mawla noted that this year’s World Refugee Day is filled with hope for millions of Syrians who now have the chance to dream of returning to their homeland and rebuilding their lives.
On Friday, the Foreign Minister of the Syrian Transitional Government, Asaad al-Shaibani, met with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi.
According to a statement from the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on Facebook, the two officials discussed efforts to create appropriate conditions for the voluntary and safe return of Syrian refugees.
The statement noted that both sides stressed the importance of supporting the transitional government’s efforts and underlined the need for cooperation with the United Nations to ensure a dignified return that preserves refugees’ dignity and addresses their basic needs.
Grandi also posted on X last Thursday, stating that more than two million Syrian refugees and internally displaced persons have returned to their areas since last December.
He added, “The return of Syrian refugees and displaced persons represents a sign of hope amid escalating regional tensions,” according to SANA. He emphasised that this trend demonstrates the need for political solutions rather than further instability and displacement.
Meanwhile, on June 8, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Lebanon announced it would be forced to cease funding hospitalisation costs for Syrian refugees by the end of 2025 due to an escalating financial crisis.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, UNHCR spokesperson in Lebanon, Lisa Abu Khaled, said that primary health care services for refugees had already been halted, severely affecting around 80,000 individuals.
Abu Khaled further stated that the agency’s cash assistance programs had declined significantly, with the UNHCR’s ability to reach beneficiaries reduced by 65% since January under the joint cash program with the World Food Programme.
She added that assistance had already been suspended for approximately 350,000 of the most vulnerable refugees, and that the agency still urgently needs funding to support 200,000 others beyond September.
