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Al Jazeera
18 hours ago
- Business
- Al Jazeera
Photos: Syrians return to villages destroyed by war
Aref Shamtan, 73, chose to erect a tent near his decimated home in northwest Syria instead of remaining in a displacement camp following the overthrow of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad. 'I feel good here, even among the rubble,' Shamtan said, sipping tea at the tent near his field. Upon returning with his son after al-Assad was toppled in December, Shamtan discovered his village of al-Hawash, situated amid farmland in central Hama province, severely damaged. His house had lost its roof and suffered cracked walls. Nevertheless, 'living in the rubble is better than living in the camps' near the Turkish border, where he had resided since fleeing the conflict in 2011, Shamtan explained. Since al-Assad's downfall after nearly 14 years of war, the United Nations' International Organization for Migration reports that 1.87 million Syrians who were refugees abroad or internally displaced have returned to their places of origin. The IOM identifies the 'lack of economic opportunities and essential services' as the greatest challenge facing returnees. Unable to afford rebuilding, Shamtan decided approximately two months ago to leave the camp with his family and young grandchildren, and has begun planting wheat on his land. Al-Hawash had been under al-Assad's control and bordered front lines with neighbouring Idlib province, which became a stronghold for opposition groups, particularly Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the opposition fighters that spearheaded the offensive that toppled the former president. 'We cannot stay in the camps,' Shamtan maintained, even though 'the village is all destroyed … and life is non-existent,' lacking fundamental services and infrastructure. 'We decided … to live here until things improve. We are waiting for organisations and the state to help us,' he added. 'Life is tough.' Local official Abdel Ghafour al-Khatib, 72, has also returned after escaping in 2019 with his wife and children to a camp near the border. 'I just wanted to get home. I was overjoyed … I returned and pitched a worn-out tent. Living in my village is the important thing,' he stated. 'Everyone wants to return,' he noted. However, many cannot afford transportation in a country where 90 percent of the population lives in poverty. 'There is nothing here – no schools, no health clinics, no water and no electricity,' al-Khatib said while sitting on the ground in his tent near what remains of his home. The conflict, which erupted in 2011 following al-Assad's brutal suppression of antigovernment protests, killed more than 500,000 people and displaced half of Syria's pre-war population either internally or abroad, with many seeking refuge in Idlib province. According to the International Organization for Migration, more than six million people remain internally displaced.
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Displaced Syrians leave camps to pitch tents near destroyed homes
Displaced Syrians leave camps to pitch tents near destroyed homes (AP) AL ḨAWĀSH: Aref Shamtan, 73, preferred to pitch a tent near his destroyed home in northwest Syria rather than stay in a camp for the displaced following longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad's ouster. "I feel good here, even among the rubble," Shamtan said, sipping tea at the tent near his field. When he and his son returned after Assad's December 8 overthrow, Shamtan found his village of Al-Hawash, nestled among farmland in central Hama province, badly damaged. The roof of their house was gone and its walls were cracked. But "living in the rubble is better than living in the camps" near the border with Turkey, where he had been since 2011 after fleeing the fighting, Shamtan said. Since Islamist forces ousted Assad after nearly 14 years of war, 1.87 million Syrians who were refugees abroad or internally displaced have returned to their areas of origin, the United Nations' International Organization for Migration says. The IOM says the "lack of economic opportunities and essential services pose the greatest challenge" for those returning home. Shamtan, who cannot afford to rebuild, decided around two months ago to leave the camp with his family and young grandchildren, and has started planting his farmland with wheat. Al-Hawash had been controlled by Assad's forces and was along the front lines with neighbouring Idlib province, which became a bastion for opposition factions, particularly Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group that led the offensive that toppled Assad. 'Nothing here' "We can't stay in the camps," Shamtan insisted, even if "the village is all destroyed... and life is non-existent", lacking basic services and infrastructure. "We decided... to live here until things improve. We are waiting for organisations and the state to help us," he said. "Life is tough." Local official Abdel Ghafour al-Khatib, 72, has also returned after fleeing in 2019 with his wife and children for a camp near the border. "I just wanted to get home. I was overjoyed... I returned and pitched a worn-out tent. Living in my village is the important thing," he said. "Everyone wants to return," he said. But many cannot even afford the transport to do so in a country where 90 percent of people live in poverty. "There is nothing here -- no schools, no health clinics, no water and no electricity," Khatib said, sitting on the ground in the tent near the remains of his home. The war, which erupted in 2011 after Assad's brutal repression of anti-government protests, killed more than 500,000 people and displaced half of the pre-war population internally or abroad, with many fleeing to Idlib province. More than six million people remain internally displaced, according to the IOM. With the recent lifting of Western sanctions, Syria's new authorities hope for international support to launch reconstruction, which the UN estimates could cost more than $400 billion. IOM chief Amy Pope said on Monday that "the lifting of sanctions sends a powerful message of hope to millions of displaced Syrians", cautioning, however, that "hope must be matched with concrete support". 'No home' After being repeatedly displaced, Souad Othman, 47, returned with her three daughters and son to Al-Hawash around a week ago. "Everything has changed -- the homes are damaged and there is nothing left in their place," said Othman, whose husband died during the war. The roof of her home has collapsed and its walls are cracked, but she still chose to return, eking out a living through manual labour. A small bed sits out in the open, protected only by blankets on a clothesline, with a makeshift cooking area set up on the rubble. She said she borrowed $80 to pay for a battery for two solar panels. "There are snakes and insects here. We can't live without light during the night," she said. AFP aerial footage of camps in northwest Syria showed some former structures empty of residents. Jalal al-Omar, 37, who is responsible for part of a camp near the village of Qah in Idlib province, said around 100 families had left for his home village of Treimsa in the Hama region. But around 700 other families cannot afford to return, he said, also noting the lack of infrastructure in Treimsa, where people have to travel miles just to buy bread. "People don't want to stay in the camps, they want to return to their villages. But the lack of essential services... prevents their return," he said. "I myself have no home. I'm waiting... for a place to shelter in the village," he added.
France 24
a day ago
- Politics
- France 24
Displaced Syrians leave camps to pitch tents near destroyed homes
"I feel good here, even among the rubble," Shamtan said, sipping tea at the tent near his field. When he and his son returned after Assad's December 8 overthrow, Shamtan found his village of Al-Hawash, nestled among farmland in central Hama province, badly damaged. The roof of their house was gone and its walls were cracked. But "living in the rubble is better than living in the camps" near the border with Turkey, where he had been since 2011 after fleeing the fighting, Shamtan said. Since Islamist forces ousted Assad after nearly 14 years of war, 1.87 million Syrians who were refugees abroad or internally displaced have returned to their areas of origin, the United Nations' International Organization for Migration says. The IOM says the "lack of economic opportunities and essential services pose the greatest challenge" for those returning home. Shamtan, who cannot afford to rebuild, decided around two months ago to leave the camp with his family and young grandchildren, and has started planting his farmland with wheat. Al-Hawash had been controlled by Assad's forces and was along the front lines with neighbouring Idlib province, which became a bastion for opposition factions, particularly Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group that led the offensive that toppled Assad. 'Nothing here' "We can't stay in the camps," Shamtan insisted, even if "the village is all destroyed... and life is non-existent", lacking basic services and infrastructure. "We decided... to live here until things improve. We are waiting for organisations and the state to help us," he said. "Life is tough." Local official Abdel Ghafour al-Khatib, 72, has also returned after fleeing in 2019 with his wife and children for a camp near the border. "I just wanted to get home. I was overjoyed... I returned and pitched a worn-out tent. Living in my village is the important thing," he said. "Everyone wants to return," he said. But many cannot even afford the transport to do so in a country where 90 percent of people live in poverty. "There is nothing here -- no schools, no health clinics, no water and no electricity," Khatib said, sitting on the ground in the tent near the remains of his home. The war, which erupted in 2011 after Assad's brutal repression of anti-government protests, killed more than 500,000 people and displaced half of the pre-war population internally or abroad, with many fleeing to Idlib province. More than six million people remain internally displaced, according to the IOM. With the recent lifting of Western sanctions, Syria's new authorities hope for international support to launch reconstruction, which the UN estimates could cost more than $400 billion. IOM chief Amy Pope said on Monday that "the lifting of sanctions sends a powerful message of hope to millions of displaced Syrians", cautioning, however, that "hope must be matched with concrete support". 'No home' After being repeatedly displaced, Souad Othman, 47, returned with her three daughters and son to Al-Hawash around a week ago. "Everything has changed -- the homes are damaged and there is nothing left in their place," said Othman, whose husband died during the war. The roof of her home has collapsed and its walls are cracked, but she still chose to return, eking out a living through manual labour. A small bed sits out in the open, protected only by blankets on a clothesline, with a makeshift cooking area set up on the rubble. She said she borrowed $80 to pay for a battery for two solar panels. "There are snakes and insects here. We can't live without light during the night," she said. AFP aerial footage of camps in northwest Syria showed some former structures empty of residents. Jalal al-Omar, 37, who is responsible for part of a camp near the village of Qah in Idlib province, said around 100 families had left for his home village of Treimsa in the Hama region. But around 700 other families cannot afford to return, he said, also noting the lack of infrastructure in Treimsa, where people have to travel miles just to buy bread. "People don't want to stay in the camps, they want to return to their villages. But the lack of essential services... prevents their return," he said. "I myself have no home. I'm waiting... for a place to shelter in the village," he added.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Displaced Syrians leave camps to pitch tents near destroyed homes
Aref Shamtan, 73, preferred to pitch a tent near his destroyed home in northwest Syria rather than stay in a camp for the displaced following longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad's ouster. "I feel good here, even among the rubble," Shamtan said, sipping tea at the tent near his field. When he and his son returned after Assad's December 8 overthrow, Shamtan found his village of Al-Hawash, nestled among farmland in central Hama province, badly damaged. The roof of their house was gone and its walls were cracked. But "living in the rubble is better than living in the camps" near the border with Turkey, where he had been since 2011 after fleeing the fighting, Shamtan said. Since Islamist forces ousted Assad after nearly 14 years of war, 1.87 million Syrians who were refugees abroad or internally displaced have returned to their areas of origin, the United Nations' International Organization for Migration says. The IOM says the "lack of economic opportunities and essential services pose the greatest challenge" for those returning home. Shamtan, who cannot afford to rebuild, decided around two months ago to leave the camp with his family and young grandchildren, and has started planting his farmland with wheat. Al-Hawash had been controlled by Assad's forces and was along the front lines with neighbouring Idlib province, which became a bastion for opposition factions, particularly Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group that led the offensive that toppled Assad. - 'Nothing here' - "We can't stay in the camps," Shamtan insisted, even if "the village is all destroyed... and life is non-existent", lacking basic services and infrastructure. "We decided... to live here until things improve. We are waiting for organisations and the state to help us," he said. "Life is tough." Local official Abdel Ghafour al-Khatib, 72, has also returned after fleeing in 2019 with his wife and children for a camp near the border. "I just wanted to get home. I was overjoyed... I returned and pitched a worn-out tent. Living in my village is the important thing," he said. "Everyone wants to return," he said. But many cannot even afford the transport to do so in a country where 90 percent of people live in poverty. "There is nothing here -- no schools, no health clinics, no water and no electricity," Khatib said, sitting on the ground in the tent near the remains of his home. The war, which erupted in 2011 after Assad's brutal repression of anti-government protests, killed more than 500,000 people and displaced half of the pre-war population internally or abroad, with many fleeing to Idlib province. More than six million people remain internally displaced, according to the IOM. With the recent lifting of Western sanctions, Syria's new authorities hope for international support to launch reconstruction, which the UN estimates could cost more than $400 billion. IOM chief Amy Pope said on Monday that "the lifting of sanctions sends a powerful message of hope to millions of displaced Syrians", cautioning, however, that "hope must be matched with concrete support". - 'No home' - After being repeatedly displaced, Souad Othman, 47, returned with her three daughters and son to Al-Hawash around a week ago. "Everything has changed -- the homes are damaged and there is nothing left in their place," said Othman, whose husband died during the war. The roof of her home has collapsed and its walls are cracked, but she still chose to return, eking out a living through manual labour. A small bed sits out in the open, protected only by blankets on a clothesline, with a makeshift cooking area set up on the rubble. She said she borrowed $80 to pay for a battery for two solar panels. "There are snakes and insects here. We can't live without light during the night," she said. AFP aerial footage of camps in northwest Syria showed some former structures empty of residents. Jalal al-Omar, 37, who is responsible for part of a camp near the village of Qah in Idlib province, said around 100 families had left for his home village of Treimsa in the Hama region. But around 700 other families cannot afford to return, he said, also noting the lack of infrastructure in Treimsa, where people have to travel miles just to buy bread. "People don't want to stay in the camps, they want to return to their villages. But the lack of essential services... prevents their return," he said. "I myself have no home. I'm waiting... for a place to shelter in the village," he added. ohk-lk/lg/srm/fec
Scoop
a day ago
- Business
- Scoop
Sanctions Relief For Syria Offers ‘Powerful Message Of Hope,' Says UN Migration Agency
27 May 2025 After more than a decade of conflict and severe economic stagnation, lifting the punitive measures will encourage long-term recovery and peacebuilding in Syria, Amy Pope, IOM Director-General, said in a statement. 'The lifting of sanctions sends a powerful message of hope to millions of displaced Syrians, both within the country and across the region,' she said. $800 billion lost UN estimates suggest that the Syrian economy lost over $800 billion during the 14-year civil war. According to a UN Development Programme (UNDP) report, if the current annual growth rate continues, Syria's economy will not return to its pre-conflict gross domestic product (GDP) levels until 2080. The sanctions relief from the US, UK and EU – covering around $15 billion in restricted assets and trade measures – could unlock important investment opportunities for rebuilding key infrastructure, IOM said. Most of these sanctions were originally imposed during the Assad era and have long been blamed for Syria's hindering economic recovery. Alongside the sanctions relief, Saudi Arabia and Qatar pledged to pay $15.5 million of Syria's arrears to the World Bank. Together with Türkiye, they also offered to fund public salaries and support energy infrastructure. These changes reflect 'momentum from re-engagement and reconstruction,' IOM added. A country torn apart The Syrian conflict, which began March 2011 after pro-democracy protests against Bashar Al-Assad, lasted almost 14 years. During this time, tens of thousands of Syrians were killed and countless more disappeared. The fighting and insecurity also displaced more than 10 million civilians – within the country or as refugees outside its borders. Poverty rates tripled, affecting 90 per cent of the population, with 66 per cent living in extreme poverty. Since the end of the war in December 2024 with the overthrow of the Assad regime, half a million Syrian refugees have returned. A further 1.5 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) have also returned to their places of origin. They returned home amidst great hope for the future of Syria, but also severe economic projections. 'Hope must be matched with concrete support,' Director General Pope said. 'Syrians need not just the ability to return but the means to rebuild their lives in safety and dignity.' Moving from relief to resilience The UN estimates that over 16.5 million Syrians – roughly 70 per cent of the population – continue to require humanitarian assistance. But funding shortfalls have complicated aid efforts. Already in the last week of May, only 10 per cent of the estimated $2 billion needed between January and June to assist eight million Syrians has been received. Ms. Pope noted that it is important for the Syrian people and economy to begin moving towards longer-term solutions outside of humanitarian aid. 'While humanitarian assistance remains critical, IOM urges donors and development partners to expand their focus to medium- and long-term recovery. A transition from relief to resilience is not only necessary – it is urgent,' she said.
