Story perspectives

Families Return to Homs Amid Ongoing Reintegration Struggles

2/20/2026

Center

Families Rebuilding Homs

Families in Homs, Syria, including Bayan's and Mohammad's, are returning home after years of displacement to rebuild their lives.
Local hospitals face shortages and children lack safe spaces as reintegration challenges persist.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) provides health and protection services, including mental health support and gender-based violence case management.
Both Bayan and Mohammad call for increased international support to reintegrate and rebuild their community.

Left

Syria Bans Foreign Lorries

Syria's government banned foreign lorries, requiring goods to transfer to Syrian lorries at border crossings to revive the local transport sector.
The decree caused delays up to two weeks and transport costs rising 50–70 percent.
Despite the disruptions, trade with Jordan nearly doubled in 2025, with Jordanian exports comprising a significant share.
The ban has raised concerns about cargo safety and the reliability of aging Syrian transport vehicles.

History

Historical Context

The Syrian Civil War, which erupted in 2011, has displaced over 6.6 million people internally, exacerbated by a severe drought from 2006 to 2011 that strained resources. Organizations like the International Rescue Committee have provided vital support amid ongoing humanitarian crises. Recent government bans on foreign lorries aim to boost the local economy but have led to transport delays and increased costs by 50-70%.

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Families Rebuilding Homs

Families in Homs, Syria, including Bayan's and Mohammad's, are returning home after years of displacement to rebuild their lives.
Local hospitals face shortages and children lack safe spaces as reintegration challenges persist.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) provides health and protection services, including mental health support and gender-based violence case management.
Both Bayan and Mohammad call for increased international support to reintegrate and rebuild their community.

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