The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is ready to visit hard-to-reach areas in Syria to observe the process of refugees' return to their homeland if additional access opportunities are provided, UNHCR spokesman Andrej Mahecic told Sputnik.
GENEVA (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 08th November, 2018) The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is ready to visit hard-to-reach areas in Syria to observe the process of refugees' return to their homeland if additional access opportunities are provided, UNHCR spokesman Andrej Mahecic told Sputnik.
On Wednesday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ilya Morgunov said that Russia planned to offer UNHCR to organize study visits to Syria to assess the situation with the return of Syrian refugees on the spot. Moscow intends to make such a proposal at the next trilateral Russia-EU-UNHCR meeting, which will be held on November 15.
"UNHCR is ready to take part in additional opportunities for UNHCR and other UN and humanitarian partners to access the areas of returns or areas or potential returns where, so far, there have been significant restrictions on humanitarian access due to the security situation," Mahecic said.
According to Mahecic, the UNHCR has the information that in a number of Syrian regions the situation remains extremely difficult and security problems remain in place, including the absence of necessary infrastructure, basic services and residential facilities. At the same time, the office cannot ensure full monitoring of the situation throughout the country, including monitoring the lives of those who have already returned to their homes, due to security issues.
"That is exactly why we need safe, unhindered and regular access to these locations � to ensure we have the most up-to-date and comprehensive information on areas in Syria and their potential to receive returnees, so that refugees can make an informed decision," the spokesman added.
Mahecic stressed that finding long-term, sustainable solutions to the plight of refugees, including their voluntary return, was an integral part of UNHCR's work in Syria.
The UNHCR currently has over 500 local and foreign employees in Syria. The head office of the commissioner is located in Damascus, and there are also offices in Aleppo, Homs and Qamishli as well as two field offices in Tartus and As Suwayda.
