United Nations (TDI): The head of the UN migration agency has said that Syria is not equipped to welcome back millions of displaced Syrians following the fall of the Assad regime, emphasizing the urgent need to “re-evaluate” sanctions affecting the war-hit country.
Amy Pope, Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), said that they are not promoting large-scale returns; the communities are just not ready to absorb the people who are displaced and would come home, it will overwhelm the country.”
“Many have returned to find their homes in ruins,” she said.
Speaking in Geneva shortly after returning from Damascus where she held discussions with representatives of the caretaker authorities, Pope described how fourteen years of war had destroyed “schools, hospitals, community centers” and much else.
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“Rebuilding homes is just one part of the solution, but Syrian citizens also require access to healthcare and essential services to feel protected and lay the foundations for recovery.”
Over Half of Syria’s Population Displaced
Over half of Syria’s population has been displaced, some 16.7 million people require humanitarian aid and well more than 6 million Syrian refugees have sought shelter abroad.
“The needs for funding, both political and financial resources, are going to be enormous,” Pope continued, confirming that IOM “will be part of any effort to assist address the situation there”.
However, the task of rebuilding and investing in the country after the overthrow of the Assad regime remains hindered by sanctions imposed by the US and the EU, following the violent repression of pro-democracy demonstrations in 2011 that led to civil war.
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On Thursday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed for global solidarity with Syrians “until conditions are met for all sanctions to be removed” by the member countries that imposed them, while also insisting on the urgent need to deliver humanitarian assistance and support efforts to rebuild the economy.
