Cash-strapped Syrians Living in Tent Settlements Struggle to Return Home After Assad's Fall
Despite the end of the civil war, many Syrians are unable to return home due to financial constraints and lack of support.
Sobhieh Al-Saleh thought she would finally leave her tent and return home the moment a rebel offensive in late 2024 ousted then President Bashar Assad, and brought an end to more than a decade of conflict.
However, she still resides in the Al-Karama camp, a tent settlement in northwest Idlib province near the Turkish border, with her husband, seven sons, and four daughters.
Al-Saleh explained that her home in Al-Lataminah, located on the other side of Idlib province, was completely destroyed when she visited it after the conflict.
Like many other Syrians living in poverty, she cannot afford to rebuild her home and return.
Consequently, she endures the hardships of life in the camp, where rain seeps through the tent each year, and the sweltering heat and flies plague the estimated 40,000 remaining residents.
Syria's uprising-turned-civil war from 2011 until late 2024 devastated the country, plunging more than 90% of its population into poverty.
Rebuilding efforts will require hundreds of billions of dollars, according to UN figures.
The conflict killed 500,000 people, wounded over 1 million, and displaced half of Syria's prewar population.
Despite strides made by the government under interim President Ahmad Al-Sharaa in restoring ties with the international community, more than 7 million Syrians displaced within the country cannot return home.
Approximately 40% of these individuals still reside in tents, according to the United Nations.
Al-Sharaa has promised that displaced Syrians will no longer live in tents by the end of 2027.
Saudi Arabia has pledged $1.5 billion in support for this initiative.
However, alleviating poverty and bringing people back home will take time due to the scale of devastation.
The World Bank estimates postwar reconstruction would cost around $216 billion.
Large areas of main cities like Aleppo, Raqqa, and Homs remain in ruins, despite diplomatic and economic breakthroughs.
Humanitarian agencies face budget cuts, making it difficult for them to provide assistance.
The World Food Program announced on May 13 that it reduced its food assistance program by half, affecting 1.3 million people.
Additionally, the bread subsidy program was cut.
Inflation has surged in Syria, complicating rebuilding efforts and making it challenging for individuals to save money.
Many Syrians still rely on loans to cover basic expenses.
The government's focus needs to shift towards addressing the needs of the poorest individuals, according to some residents.
The United Nations remains committed to supporting Al-Sharaa's project with its available resources.
UN resident and humanitarian coordinator in Syria, Nathalie Fustier, stated that international financial institutions and the private sector might need to assist the government in meeting the 2027 deadline.
While the timeline for ending tent settlements is uncertain, efforts will continue to address this issue.
However, she still resides in the Al-Karama camp, a tent settlement in northwest Idlib province near the Turkish border, with her husband, seven sons, and four daughters.
Al-Saleh explained that her home in Al-Lataminah, located on the other side of Idlib province, was completely destroyed when she visited it after the conflict.
Like many other Syrians living in poverty, she cannot afford to rebuild her home and return.
Consequently, she endures the hardships of life in the camp, where rain seeps through the tent each year, and the sweltering heat and flies plague the estimated 40,000 remaining residents.
Syria's uprising-turned-civil war from 2011 until late 2024 devastated the country, plunging more than 90% of its population into poverty.
Rebuilding efforts will require hundreds of billions of dollars, according to UN figures.
The conflict killed 500,000 people, wounded over 1 million, and displaced half of Syria's prewar population.
Despite strides made by the government under interim President Ahmad Al-Sharaa in restoring ties with the international community, more than 7 million Syrians displaced within the country cannot return home.
Approximately 40% of these individuals still reside in tents, according to the United Nations.
Al-Sharaa has promised that displaced Syrians will no longer live in tents by the end of 2027.
Saudi Arabia has pledged $1.5 billion in support for this initiative.
However, alleviating poverty and bringing people back home will take time due to the scale of devastation.
The World Bank estimates postwar reconstruction would cost around $216 billion.
Large areas of main cities like Aleppo, Raqqa, and Homs remain in ruins, despite diplomatic and economic breakthroughs.
Humanitarian agencies face budget cuts, making it difficult for them to provide assistance.
The World Food Program announced on May 13 that it reduced its food assistance program by half, affecting 1.3 million people.
Additionally, the bread subsidy program was cut.
Inflation has surged in Syria, complicating rebuilding efforts and making it challenging for individuals to save money.
Many Syrians still rely on loans to cover basic expenses.
The government's focus needs to shift towards addressing the needs of the poorest individuals, according to some residents.
The United Nations remains committed to supporting Al-Sharaa's project with its available resources.
UN resident and humanitarian coordinator in Syria, Nathalie Fustier, stated that international financial institutions and the private sector might need to assist the government in meeting the 2027 deadline.
While the timeline for ending tent settlements is uncertain, efforts will continue to address this issue.
