UN Commissioner: Without reconstruction, no return is possible for Syria
The head of the UN Refugee Agency, Filippo Grandi, stated that millions of Syrian refugees could return to their country after the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, but this requires massive and rapid investments in reconstruction, warning that delays in support will lead to the failure of return efforts.
On the occasion of World Refugee Day, Grandi called on Germany and other countries to provide more financial support to accelerate reconstruction in Syria. He explained that he will visit Berlin next week to pressure the German government to increase humanitarian aid. Grandi added: "If the reconstruction of Syria is delayed by six months or an additional year, we lose a real opportunity. The people who have already returned may lose trust and go back to the countries where they felt safe and stable."
Despite calls from some politicians in Germany to repatriate Syrian refugees, Grandi confirmed that Syria still lacks the minimum essential services, such as electricity, water, schools, hospitals, and jobs, due to the widespread destruction caused by the war. Grandi proposed three necessary steps to create conditions for safe return: First, the continued provision of humanitarian aid such as food, cash, and health services. Second, funding development projects to rebuild infrastructure and stimulate the economy. Third, lifting some sanctions to facilitate the work of the private sector within the country.
Grandi strongly criticized the United States and other countries for cutting development and humanitarian aid budgets, warning of the consequences. He said, "If aid is reduced in areas like West Africa, Sudan, the Middle East, and Ukraine, which are not far from Europe, we should expect a new wave of migration towards Europe."
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