Syrians in tent camps struggle to return home after Assad’s fall
The Story
Sobhieh al-Saleh still lives in a tent in Idlib province despite hopes of returning home after a rebel offensive ousted Bashar Assad in late 2024. She cannot afford to rebuild her destroyed home. Many other displaced Syrians face similar challenges, with over 7 million still unable to return and 1 million still in tents.
Key Facts
- Sobhieh al-Saleh lives in the al-Karama camp in Atmeh, Idlib, with her husband, seven sons and four daughters.
- Her house in al-Lataminah was “completely razed to the ground,” according to her statement to The Associated Press.
- An estimated 40,000 people remain in that sprawling camp.
- The war killed 500,000 people, wounded more than 1 million, and displaced more than half Syria’s prewar population of 23 million.
- Rebuilding the country will cost hundreds of billions of dollars; the World Bank estimates $216 billion.
- More than 90% of Syria’s population of around 26 million was plunged into poverty.
- Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa has vowed that displaced Syrians will no longer live in tents and will have alternative housing by the end of 2027.
- Saudi Arabia has pledged $1.5 billion to support that initiative.
- The World Food Program announced on May 13 that it reduced by half its food assistance program that once supported 1.3 million people, and cut a bread subsidy program.
- Inflation has surged, making it difficult for people to save to rebuild.
- Abdulhamid Abu Alaa, who lives in the same camp as al-Saleh, said he and many others are still paying off debts from loans for basic expenses.
- U.N. resident and humanitarian coordinator in Syria Nathalie Fustier said she does not know exactly how long it will take to end tent camps.
Conflicting Reports
No conflicting reports identified in the source article.
Still Unclear
The exact timeline for ending tent camps remains unclear. Nathalie Fustier stated, “I don’t know exactly how long it will take.” It is also unclear how the government will fund reconstruction given ongoing budget cuts to humanitarian agencies.
Misconceptions
No widespread misconceptions addressed in the source article.
Key Figures
Sobhieh al-Saleh (displaced Syrian), Abdulhamid Abu Alaa (displaced Syrian), Ahmad al-Sharaa (interim president of Syria), Nathalie Fustier (U.N. resident and humanitarian coordinator in Syria), Bashar Assad (former president, ousted in late 2024).
Sources: abcnews.com
