This is the message from Kelly Clements, deputy high commissioner of the United Nations Agency for Refugees, HcrSpeaking Tuesday after concluding a five -day visit to Lebanon and Syria.
“The international community cannot afford to be simple observers, evaluating and judging developments in Syria”, it said.
“They must play an active role supporting stabilization and recovery efforts, helping Syrians rebuild and reshaped their country.”
Bound at home
More than 1.2 million people have returned to Syria since the fall of the Assad regime last December. About 850,000 crossed Lebanon and elsewhere in the region.
The UNHCR has increased its support to those who choose to return, including providing money and transport, in order to ensure that the process is worthy and lasting.
Meanwhile, yields continue inside Syria, with more than 1.7 million internal displaced people (PDI), including just over 880,000 people who left PDI sites in the North.
Commitment to cooperate
During her visit, Ms. Clements met with senior government officials, refugees who recently returned to Syria and newly arrived refugees in Lebanon.
During meetings with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and other members of the cabinet, she expressed her appreciation for generosity continues to welcome Syrian refugees and is committed to cooperating more to support voluntary yields.
Since January, nearly 200,000 Syrian refugees have returned from Lebanon. Many others have indicated that they were planning to follow in the coming months, especially after the authorities have deleted the exit costs for those who exceeded their residence.
Ms. Clements also met a group of Syrian refugees who have arrived in Lebanon in recent months after fled recent violence at home.
“It was a dynamic period when we see the two Syrians return, but also others becoming newly displaced,” she said.
“We are counting on the international community to continue supporting the work of Lebanon and the UNHCR here,” she added. “Millions of Syrian refugees are still in neighboring countries, and the world must not forget them.”
Return and rebuild
In Syria, Ms. Clements met the Minister of Social Affairs Hind Kabawat as well as the governors of Homs and Idleb. She also spoke to recently returned refugees who shared their hopes to rebuild their lives and their country.
“I saw closely how people have kept their willingness to come back, stay and rebuild despite the harsh reality of destruction and the lack of services after 14 years of war,” she said.
UNHCR and partners have expanded support for the regions of Syria who see a high number of yields.
Ms. Clements visited Rural Damascus and met repatriated who received assistance and support for the shelter to start small businesses. She also helped inaugurate a newly authorized civil register office in the governorate of Idleb, which the agency has supported.
She stressed that UNHCR and partners are on the ground in Syria by doing their part, “but there is so much more to do and that the commitment of the international community to support such efforts is essential. »»
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
