UN High Commissioner for Refugees stresses the importance of ensuring the voluntary, gradual, and well-thought-out return of refugees to Syria
June 25, 20253 ViewsRead Time: 3 minutes
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The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, emphasized on Wednesday the importance of ensuring the voluntary, gradual, and well-thought-out return of refugees to Syria, and supporting the international community's efforts to enhance stability in Syria to achieve this. He also highlighted the UNHCR's support for the Syrian government's efforts in this regard.
In a special interview with SANA news agency, Grandi explained that the UNHCR is closely working with governments hosting large numbers of Syrian refugees and has established a cooperation system with these governments to ensure that return operations are voluntary. Efforts are ongoing to improve and strengthen this system.
He stated that the simultaneous return of all refugees is not feasible and not beneficial for Syria in its current situation, asking, "How can Syria accommodate millions of people all at once without the necessary capacities?" He pointed out that the optimal solution is a gradual return.
Grandi added: "The return of all refugees requires providing more support to the Syrian government, and the combined efforts of many parties including friends of Syria, international financial institutions, and the private sector, which plays a pivotal and decisive role in this process." He emphasized that "returning refugees and those still outside the country need to be patient, as Syria will gradually and step by step return to its normal state as a stable country once again."
He explained that Syria is going through a unique historical phase, with UNHCR estimates indicating the return of about 600,000 people from neighboring countries, while more than 1.4 million internally displaced persons have returned, surpassing two million returnees with many more desiring to return.
Grandi noted that returnees need support, clarifying that UNHCR is collaborating with the government and many other organizations to provide financial support to them during the first months of their return, along with securing necessary transportation means, which are part of the urgent needs including job opportunities, housing, electricity, and schools.
He further stated: "Rebuilding security is a priority for the government facing a massive security challenge in a country that has endured a 14-year war." He continued, "I have told all other countries when they asked me about the needs of returning refugees, that they need security above all else. Therefore, support must be provided to the government to establish this. I also believe it is very important that this security includes all Syrian people."
Grandi considered achieving security not easy in a country like Syria, adding, "I have always said: the previous regime was a regime that created refugees, and this government must be a government for returnees, a government for the people returning to their country."
In a special interview with SANA news agency, Grandi explained that the UNHCR is closely working with governments hosting large numbers of Syrian refugees and has established a cooperation system with these governments to ensure that return operations are voluntary. Efforts are ongoing to improve and strengthen this system.
He stated that the simultaneous return of all refugees is not feasible and not beneficial for Syria in its current situation, asking, "How can Syria accommodate millions of people all at once without the necessary capacities?" He pointed out that the optimal solution is a gradual return.
Grandi added: "The return of all refugees requires providing more support to the Syrian government, and the combined efforts of many parties including friends of Syria, international financial institutions, and the private sector, which plays a pivotal and decisive role in this process." He emphasized that "returning refugees and those still outside the country need to be patient, as Syria will gradually and step by step return to its normal state as a stable country once again."
He explained that Syria is going through a unique historical phase, with UNHCR estimates indicating the return of about 600,000 people from neighboring countries, while more than 1.4 million internally displaced persons have returned, surpassing two million returnees with many more desiring to return.
Grandi noted that returnees need support, clarifying that UNHCR is collaborating with the government and many other organizations to provide financial support to them during the first months of their return, along with securing necessary transportation means, which are part of the urgent needs including job opportunities, housing, electricity, and schools.
He further stated: "Rebuilding security is a priority for the government facing a massive security challenge in a country that has endured a 14-year war." He continued, "I have told all other countries when they asked me about the needs of returning refugees, that they need security above all else. Therefore, support must be provided to the government to establish this. I also believe it is very important that this security includes all Syrian people."
Grandi considered achieving security not easy in a country like Syria, adding, "I have always said: the previous regime was a regime that created refugees, and this government must be a government for returnees, a government for the people returning to their country."
