Syrian refugees start returning home from Lebanon under UN plan

In a significant development related to the ongoing refugee crisis, the first group of Syrian refugees returned home from Lebanon on a Tuesday under a new plan initiated by the United Nations in collaboration with the Lebanese government. This return marks a pivotal moment following years of war that displaced approximately half of Syria's pre-war population of 23 million. The conflict, which started more than 14 years ago, has pushed many Syrians to seek refuge in neighboring countries, with Lebanon accommodating around 1.5 million refugees at its peak, significantly straining its resources. Until now, conditions in Syria were deemed unsafe for refugees due to the conflict and government oppression, particularly under Bashar Assad’s rule. However, a shift in power dynamics with the rise of a new government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa has encouraged repatriation efforts. Under this initiative, each returning refugee is offered $100 in cash assistance, and any penalties they owe to the Lebanese authorities are waived. This plan is supported by the UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration, which are also facilitating transportation for returning refugees. Recently, an estimated 205,000 Syrians have made the journey back to their homeland, with 126,000 confirming their full return to Syria. Despite the attempts of Lebanese authorities to repatriate refugees due to increasing poverty and dwindling funding for aid, many Syrians remain hesitant to return due to longstanding fears about conditions in Syria. The UNHCR spokesperson highlighted that a considerable number of refugees had already registered for this repatriation plan, although many chose not to utilize the transportation provided by the UN. The initial repatriation event can be seen as a 'test run' that successfully transported 72 refugees back to regions such as Homs and rural Damascus. Although some returning refugees expressed sentiments of hope and necessity regarding their return, humanitarian crises persist in Syria, warranting urgent international assistance for sustainable reintegration.