Syria: Thousands of displaced head home, but many refugees still wary

The development comes as a recent survey of Syrian refugees in the region reveals that some 75 per cent of respondents have no plans to go back anytime soon.

OCHAsaidmovements out of displacement camps in Syria remain limited, with some 80,000 people departing from sites in the northwest since December and roughly 300 others leaving the Areesha camp in the northeast this past Tuesday.

Nearly two million people remain displaced in the northwest, and many are living in overcrowded sites and fragile tents. Among them are more than 615,000 who remain newly displaced across the country since fleeing their homes after 27 November.

The date marked the start of a major offensive by opposition fighters against the Syrian Army and forces loyal to the Assad regime, which was overthrown some 10 days later.

Winter weather support

The UN and partners continue to provide assistance as conditions and funding allow, including winter aid to northern Syria, where the weather is particularly harsh at this time of the year.

Partners have carried out emergency repairs of roads and sewage systems that were affected by past flooding in the northwest, while nine markets are currently being rehabilitated near displacement camps.

Since December, more than 260,000 children in Idleb and northern Aleppo have been supported with heaters, winter clothes and other aid, OCHA said. Winter kits were also distributed to 500 children in Qamishli, in Al-Hasakeh governorate.

Illnesses and infections on the rise

During the same period, health partners have deployed mobile medical teams, provided mental health support, and reinforced facilities with heating and insulation, reaching 800,000 people in the northwest.

They warn, however, of a significant rise in influenza-like illnesses and severe acute respiratory infections, which are causing further strain to the underfunded health sector. More than 100 health facilities in the northwest are out of funds since the start of the year.

Humanitarians also sounded the alarm over the shortfall in funding for their operations to support 6.7 million Syrians through March. Less than 10 per cent of the $1.2 billion needed has been received to date.

Refugees return home

Meanwhile, more than 270,000 Syrian refugees have returned home since early December, according to the UN refugee agency, UNHCR.

A recent UNHCR survey of Syrian refugees across the region found that 27 per cent of respondents intend to return home within the next 12 months, compared to just 1.7 per cent prior to the fall of the Assad regime.

The results show, however, that roughly three-quarters of Syrian refugees have no plans to go home in the next year and are instead waiting to see how the situation evolves.

Currently 5.5 million Syrian refugees are living in Türkiye, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt.

Factors affecting return

The reasons why Syrian refugees are reluctant to return range from the lack of housing or access to their properties, concern over the security situation, the disruption to basic services, and economic challenges including a lack of jobs.

UNHCR and partners are providing returnees and others in need with basic household items, repairs to damaged homes, emergency cash assistance, support to replace lost identity documents and psychological counselling, among other services.

The agency is appealing for greater support from the international community to meet the immense needs.