President Al Shara discusses Syrians' safe return with UN refugees chief

United Nations refugee chief Barham Salih met with Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara in Damascus to discuss the increasing number of Syrians returning home and the millions of people still displaced by the ongoing conflict. Salih, who previously served as Iraq's president from 2018 to 2022, emphasized the need for support to help displaced Syrians rebuild their lives after years of conflict.

The UN refugee agency's Salih has pledged to prevent refugees from becoming trapped in cycles of dependency, ensuring access to education and job opportunities. Syria, embroiled in a 14-year civil war that ended with the toppling of dictator Bashar Al Assad in late 2024, is home to one of the world's largest and longest-lasting displacement crises.

As of 2024, 3.7 million refugees and internally displaced people have returned home, while approximately 5.5 million people remain internally displaced. The road to reconstruction is long and costly, estimated to require at least $216 billion. Salih has urged the international community to match Syria's determination to rebuild with sustained support, investment, and solidarity.

The UN agency under his leadership is working towards reducing long-term displacement and dependence on humanitarian aid by 2035, along with expanded access to education and employment. While Syria's economic recovery is accelerating, the International Monetary Fund reported that growth remains uneven across regions, and poverty, though somewhat reduced, is still widespread.