Syria proposes “Syria Without Camps” vision to facilitate voluntary returns

At a high-level seminar organized by Syria’s permanent mission to the United Nations in New York, Syrian officials presented the “Syria Without Camps” vision. The initiative aims to transition from managing displacement to facilitating sustainable, voluntary, and dignified returns for displaced populations.

Raed al-Saleh, Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management, stated that the objective is not merely to remove camps, but to “remove the need for them.” This strategy focuses on shifting international support from humanitarian response to long-term solutions. Key priorities include clearing landmines and war debris, rehabilitating infrastructure, and restoring essential services such as schools, health centers, water, and sanitation networks.

To support this transition, the government has launched 300 projects in parts of Aleppo, Hama, and Idlib to improve roads and basic services. The vision emphasizes that return is contingent upon providing viable alternatives and economic opportunities, rather than simply providing aid. International representatives, including officials from the International Organization for Migration and the United Nations Development Programme, noted that successful returns require political will and a shift toward sustainable stability.