Idlib, Oct. 5 (SANA) A convoy carrying 201 displaced families left camps in the Idlib countryside on Monday to return to their home areas in nine Syrian provinces, as part of ongoing efforts to close displacement camps and end displacement.
The voluntary return was organized under the auspices of Idlib Governorate in cooperation with the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management, the Directorate of Social Affairs and Labor in Idlib, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Muzn Organization and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent.
Follow-up and support for returnees
Mohammad Baker, director of the Northern Department of Social Affairs and Labor in Idlib, told SANA that the families were surveyed inside the camps, their names were verified and arrangements were made for their departure.
He said the directorate would follow up on the families’ conditions after their return, help facilitate access to available services and coordinate with UNHCR to support access to job opportunities.
Osama al-Mousa, an operations officer at the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management in Dana, said Civil Defense teams were securing the convoy in coordination with the relevant authorities.
He said the returns are part of the implementation of Presidential Decree No. 59 and the goal of achieving “zero tents.”
Destinations of returning families
Al-Mousa said the families were returning to several areas, including Khan Sheikhoun and Maarat al-Numan in Idlib province; Qalaat al-Madiq, Kafr Nabudah and Mhardeh in Hama province; and al-Qusayr in Homs province.
Several returnees expressed their happiness at going home after years of displacement.
Ali Subaih, who was displaced from Maarat al-Numan, said he was pleased to return to his home and land despite the damage to his house and its need for restoration.
Najoud Najib al-Salloum, from al-Qaryatayn in Homs countryside, said returning with dignity had brought an end to years of hardship in the camps.
Continuing return convoys
The convoy is part of a series of voluntary return convoys organized since the beginning of the year.
A convoy carrying 263 families departed on Sunday, while another carrying 212 families left earlier this month. Registration for additional convoys from camps in northern Syria is continuing.
Kh/A /RK
