Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Damascus, SANA-UNHCR spokesperson in Syria, Celine Schmitt, announced on Tuesday the return of the first voluntary return convoy from Lebanon to Syria as part of the organized voluntary return program.
Schmitt told SANA ‘’ In coordination with UNHCR in Lebanon and the General Authority for Land and Sea ports in Syria and IOM, 72 Syrian refugees have returned voluntarily, some families are going to areas in Homs, while others are returning to areas in the Damascus countryside like Qatana, Zabadani, Babila, Al-Nashabiyah, and Daraya’’.
Schmitt, clarified that ‘’ UNHCR in Syria is supporting these families by providing them with transportation, and helping them to integrate into their communities”.
She explained that returnees will be linked to community centers supported by UNHCR, where they can access basic services such as legal assistance to obtain civil documents, psychosocial support, livelihood opportunities, and other protection services.
The UN spokesperson said that as of July 14, more than 17,000 Syrian refugees in Lebanon had registered their desire to benefit from the facilitated voluntary return program and received consultations about the steps of the operation and its consequences. 
Schmitt added that’’ UNHCR estimates that since December 8, 2024, some 719,801 Syrian refugees have returned to their country from neighboring countries, including 205,323 who returned from Lebanon.
According to Abdul Razzaq al-Masri, director of the Jdeidet Yabous border crossing, the refugees were part of the convoy and that full coordination had taken place with the Lebanese authorities to ease their return.
He confirmed that the returnees were exempted from all border fees and were provided with necessary services upon arrival, including an organized reception.
Khadega / Abdulrahim
