Returning to Syria: Housing and Livelihoods Shape the End of Displacement

For Syrians returning after displacement, reaching their hometowns is only part of the journey. A home and a way to earn a living remain central to rebuilding their lives.

Badr al-Raslan returned to Maarat Harma after finding an opportunity to repair his house. The prospect of restoring it helped make his return possible.

Rania Umm Mohammed returned to Saraqib without a house owned by her family. Unlike al-Raslan, her return was not anchored by the opportunity to repair a family-owned home.

Their experiences highlight the different circumstances surrounding return. Going back to a familiar place does not mean returning to the same foundations for a settled life.