Post by : Saif Rahman

Since the fall of Bashar al Assad a year ago, over three million Syrians have returned home, rekindling hope for many. The chance to reunite with family and rebuild lives shattered by thirteen years of conflict appeared to signal a new beginning. Yet this optimism is now severely endangered.

The United Nations is ringing alarm bells as financial contributions from global donors sharply decline. This reduction in funding threatens to hinder or even reverse the progress made in refugee returns. Families that have chosen to come back may be compelled to leave again if conditions do not significantly improve.

Data from the UN refugee agency indicates that approximately 1.2 million refugees returned from various nations, alongside nearly 1.9 million internally displaced persons who returned to their homes within Syria. Despite these encouraging statistics, over five million Syrians remain refugees abroad, predominantly in Lebanon, Jordan, and nearby countries.

The core issue lies in inadequate financial resources for recovery. According to the UN, the humanitarian initiative for Syria is only 29 percent funded this year, jeopardizing essential services like healthcare, water, electricity, and housing.

Hospitals rank among the most critical concerns, with only half of them operational. Frequent power outages compromise the storage of vaccines and quality of emergency services. Medical staff are in short supply, and there are scant medications available. Returning individuals are met with a fragile healthcare system that is already overburdened.

Additionally, landmines and unexploded ordnance pose lethal perils. Numerous regions remain laden with hidden explosives from the conflict, with reports indicating over 1,500 deaths and injuries in the past year alone due to these hazards. Efforts to remove such threats are grossly underfunded, with only 13 percent of the necessary resources in place, rendering these endeavors slow and perilous.

The leader of the UN refugee agency cautioned that without greater international assistance, families may be forced to vacate Syria once more, exacerbating the strain on neighboring nations that are already accommodating millions of refugees.

A concerning reality is that Syria is gradually losing its status as a top global emergency. Following the official conclusion of hostilities, many donors have redirected their resources toward newer crises. However, for the people of Syria, the crisis is far from over. They continue to grapple with destroyed homes, shuttered schools, deteriorating hospitals, and unsafe streets.

Some donors are also opting to wait and see whether the new Syrian leadership under President Ahmed al Sharaa will fulfill commitments to reform, justice, and accountability. This hesitation is causing innocent civilians to lose precious time.

True peace transcends the mere cessation of gunfire. It encompasses secure homes, operational hospitals, clean water, and children attending school without trepidation. For refugees to return and remain, Syria requires more than promises; it necessitates continued and tangible global support.

The international community must persist in its efforts. Recovery in Syria remains precarious, and if assistance dwindles further, the strides made over the past year could be jeopardized.

The people of Syria stand ready to rebuild. The pressing question remains: is the world prepared to accompany them long enough to materialize that vision?

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