One in three Syrians returning home receives medical assistance at border crossings

One in three refugees returning to Syria from Jordan and Lebanon has received medical assistance at border crossings, Deputy Head of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Sides in Syria Major General Yevgeny Kharchenko said, addressing a meeting with members of the public and local authorities in Damascus.According to earlier reports, more than 1.5 mln Syrian refugees have already returned to their places of permanent residence. In particular, as many as 260,000 people have returned from Lebanon and Jordan.

"Every third refugee returning to Syria has been provided with medical assistance at border crossings," Kharchenko pointed out.

According to him, the process of the return of Syrian refugees continues "at a good pace." "It shows that the Syrian Ministry of National Reconciliation has been carrying out its activities in a meaningful and consistent manner. United Nations officials, as well as diplomatic sources and humanitarian agencies, note that the refugee return process is purely voluntary," Kharchenko added.

The Russian Center for Reconciliation said that the number of Syrians returning to their home country had been growing particularly because "the Naseeb border crossing has become fully operational." In addition, an agreement has been reached with Lebanese authorities on the return of about 200,000 refugees to Syria before the end of the year.