Damascus, Dec. 11(SANA) Chargé d’Affaires of the Japanese Embassy in Syria, Tsuji Akihiro, and Special Coordinator for Syria, together with Gonzalo Vargas Llosa, UNHCR Representative in Syria, signed the partnership grant documents provided by Japan to Syria under the project “Humanitarian Protection for Sustainable Return and Reintegration,” valued at approximately US$5.37 million, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Damascus.
Tsuji told SANA that Japan and Syria share a long history of friendship and cooperation, and that his country has always been a strong supporter of the Syrian people. He noted that this grant coincides with the anniversary of the fall of the Assad regime, emphasizing that the contribution reflects the commitment of the Japanese people and government to stand by Syrians, continue providing support, respond to humanitarian needs, and accompany the Syrian people during this phase.
For his part, UNHCR Representative in Syria Gonzalo Vargas Llosa stated that the grant comes at a critical moment in Syria’s history, one year after liberation, coinciding with International Human Rights Day. He described it as a generous initiative from the Japanese government, which has maintained a long-standing partnership with Syria.
Llosa explained that this contribution will provide crucial support, enabling at least 1.5 million Syrians to obtain official documents, thereby allowing them to exercise their human rights through identity papers or property deeds confirming ownership of the lands and homes to which they are returning.
Mohammad Zakaria Lababidi, Director of Afro-Asian and Oceanian Affairs at the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stressed that the grant carries significant political and humanitarian implications, coinciding with the first anniversary of liberation. He said it embodies the shared will of the Syrian and Japanese governments and UN organizations to work together in support of Syria’s stability and its people during a pivotal stage in the country’s new history.
Lababidi noted that Syria-Japan friendship dates back to 1953, and with the opening of the Japanese Embassy in Damascus in 1962, Japan became one of the key supporters of the Syrian people. He added that the two countries have resumed and strengthened bilateral relations after liberation at various levels.
Lababidi explained that the Syrian government is committed to translating political gains into projects and opportunities that serve citizens, support reconstruction and rebuilding, and assist state efforts to create suitable, safe, and dignified conditions for the return of displaced persons and refugees, while improving livelihoods.
He stressed that Syria’s path to recovery requires collective efforts, affirming the Foreign Ministry’s belief in the importance of cooperation with international partners and the UN, particularly Japan and UNHCR, for their role in providing practical, tangible solutions and enhancing sustainable reintegration opportunities. He expressed gratitude to Japan and UNHCR for their humanitarian commitment and genuine efforts in supporting the Syrian people.
UNHCR spokesperson in Syria, Céline Schmitt, told SANA’s correspondent that the project is expected to directly benefit around 1,642,500 people, including returnees, internally displaced persons, and host communities, through:
- Rehabilitation of the Immigration and Passports Department in Damascus, benefiting approximately 200,000 people.
- Rehabilitation of 16 civil registry and land registry offices in Daraa, Sweida, Rural Damascus, and Deir Ezzor, benefiting around 1,442,500 people.
Schmitt noted that the implementation period is set from January 2026 to December 2026, describing the initiative as an important step toward improving access to social services and enabling sustainable reintegration for millions of Syrians. She added that UNHCR will continue working closely with the Japanese government and the international community to strengthen early humanitarian recovery and resilience in Syria.
Schmitt confirmed that, to date, more than 1.2 million Syrians have voluntarily returned from neighbouring countries since December 2024, in addition to over 1.9 million internally displaced persons who have gone back to their original areas, while many others have expressed their desire to return to Syria.
MHD
