Damascus, July 12 (SANA) The steering committee tasked with implementing the “Syria Without Camps” vision, chaired by Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management Raed al-Saleh, met on Sunday with UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons Paula Gaviria Betancur to discuss progress on the initiative and challenges related to voluntary return, the ministry said on Telegram.
The UN rapporteur presented the findings of her visit to the Damascus countryside and her meetings with local authorities, with further visits planned to Idlib, Raqqa and several relevant ministries, ahead of submitting her final report to the UN on progress and requirements.
Al-Saleh said discussions focused on the main obstacles to the return of displaced persons, including weak infrastructure, landmines, war remnants and rubble, stressing the importance of learning from similar international experiences, according to the statement. He noted that governorates are organizing daily convoys for registered families and that the number of returnees is gradually increasing despite challenges.
Government seeks funding for safe returns
Finance Minister Mohammed Yisr Barnieh said the government is working to secure necessary funding for safe and dignified returns, both through the state budget and external financing opportunities, praising the Foreign Ministry’s role in mobilizing international support and coordinating government efforts.
Ahmad Shehada, a member of the executive committee for preparing infrastructure in devastated areas, said a comprehensive survey recorded 736 camps housing approximately 91,000 families in Idlib province. He added that communication is ongoing with those wishing to return, in coordination with the Ministries of Social Affairs and Labor and Emergency and Disaster Management, with return convoys secured in cooperation with civil society organizations.
Shehada said 1,081 families have returned since work began, while 1,150 families have registered their desire to return to their areas of origin, stressing that work continues to secure transport and logistical support to facilitate the return of as many families as possible.
UN rapporteur praises Syrian efforts
The UN rapporteur commended the efforts made to address the displacement issue, noting that placing the file at the center of political and institutional work reflects a clear and serious will to deal with one of the most complex humanitarian issues, according to the statement. She noted that having a clear plan, a specialized committee and actual implementation on the ground makes the Syrian work “tangible and not just media coverage.”
Presidential Decree No. 59 of 2026, issued in March, established a committee chaired by the Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management tasked with preparing infrastructure in devastated areas ahead of the planned return of residents.
The “Syria Without Camps” initiative aims to close all displacement camps in the country by the end of 2026 and transition from humanitarian response to recovery and development. The government has prioritized enabling the return of displaced Syrians to their homes and ensuring dignified living conditions. According to UN estimates, approximately 1.5 million internally displaced persons remain in camps across Syria.
The UNHCR organized the first voluntary return convoy from camps in northeast Syria in April 2025, with families receiving free transportation and other support. Since December 2024, UNHCR estimates that over 1.37 million individuals have returned to Syria from neighboring countries, while more than 1.7 million internally displaced persons have returned home.
KhA / H.H
