600,000 displaced Syrians returned home in first 7 months of 2017

Between January and July 2017, 602,759 displaced Syrians returned home according to reports from International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN Migration Agency.

Findings indicate that the vast majority of the people returning (84 per cent) had been displaced within Syria. The next highest number of people (16 per cent) returned from Turkey, followed by Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq. Refugees returning from Turkey and Jordan reportedly returned mainly to Aleppo and Al Hasakeh Governorates.

An estimated 27 per cent of the returnees stated that they did so to protect their assets or properties and 25 per cent referred to the improved economic situation in their area of origin. Other factors people gave IOM and partners as their reasons for returning included the worsening economic situation in the place where they have been seeking refuge (14 per cent).

An estimated 67 per cent of the returnees returned to Aleppo Governorate (405,420 individuals).

According to reports, almost all (97 per cent) returned to their own house, 1.8 per cent are living with hosts, 1.4 per cent in abandoned houses, 0.14 per cent in informal settlements and 0.03 per cent in rented accommodation.

Access of returnees to food and household items is 83 per cent and 80 per cent respectively. Access to water (41 per cent) and health services (39 per cent) is dangerously low as the country’s infrastructure has been extremely damaged by the conflict.

[International Organization for Migration]

This entry was posted in Humanitarian Aid, International Cooperation by Grant Montgomery.