Russia Launches Large-Scale Humanitarian Operation To Restore Syrian Infrastructure And To Accommodate Returning Refugees

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FILE IMAGE: Valeriy Sharifulin/TASS

The Russian Centre for the Reception, Allocation and Accommodation of Refugees in Syria has prepared more than 336,000 places to accommodate returning refugees and temporarily displaced people in Syria, the Center said in its daily bulletin on July 21.

These places were put up in 76 populated localities which were least affected by combat actions in the war-torn country. The Center said the places were set up in the following provinces:

• 134,350 places – the province of Aleppo;
• 82,550 places – the province of Rif Dimashq (including  8,950 places in Eastern Qalamoun);
• 64,000 places – the province of Homs;
• 45,000 places – the proince of Deir Ezzor;
• 10,600 places – the province of Hama.

According to the Russian military, 83 medical facilities, 213 educational institutions, 73 power stations, 69 water supplies facilities and 2 fuel and energy facilities as well as 244km of roads have been restored so far.

232,792 refugees have returned from aboard to Syria since the start of the Russian military operation in the country in 2015, the Center said.

Additionally, more than 100,000 people have returned to the Eastern Ghouta regionof Damascus, since it was liberated in the spring of 2018.

The military says that a total of 1.7m refugees may return to Syria from the following countries:

• Lebanon – 890,000;
• Turkey – 300,000;
• Jordan – 150,000;
• Iraq – 100,000;
• Egypt – 100,000;
• European countries (mostly EU member states) – 200,000.

The Russian Reconciliation Center for Syria has carried out 1,870 humanitarian activities providing civilians with 2805,06t of humanitarian aid.

Another problem is the restoration of infrastructure in the big towns nad cities – the general level of its destruction is often 40-70%.

According to the military, Russia is carrying out a comprehensive humanitarian operation in order to improve the humanitarian situation in Syria, to restore its infrastructure and to allow people to return to their homes.

It should be noted that all these activities are taken in the part of Syria controlled by the Assad government. Areas occupied by militants and the US-led coalition are excluded from these efforts, first of all, because these sides prevent Russian humanitarian aid and oppose its transparent delivery. Furthermore, the coalition is opposing Russian efforts because it seeks to turn northeastern Syria, controlled by its proxies, into a semi-independent quasi state.

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