Obstacles continue to prevent Syrian refugees from returning – UNHCR
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi said on Monday different obstacles prevent Syrian refugees from returning to their country.
Grandi added that the majority of Syrians want to return home but “different sets of obstacles continue to prevent many of them from doing so.”
In a statement to the 8th edition of Brussels Conference on “Supporting the future of Syria and the region” that took place in Brussels, Grandi indicated that security fears and legal impediments in addition to material and economic reasons are among the main obstacles that the Syrians face in returning home.
He held the Syrian government responsible for addressing the security and legal obstacles. “It is their responsibility.”
As for the humanitarian situation, the UNHCR official said the refugees “will not return in large numbers if there is no work; if their homes remain destroyed; if health and education facilities are inadequate.”
He noted to the persistent humanitarian crisis produced by Syria’s 13-year-long conflict including massive and unresolved displacement, with 5.6 million Syrian refugees still in the region.