Published : 24-12-2020
Director of the political department of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Ambassador Anwar Abdul Hadi, said the return of displaced families to Yarmouk Camp has been taking place at a steady place under the supervision of Damascus Governorate
He said the return of families is contingent upon reconstruction of vital facilities and rehabilitation of water, power and sewerage networks.
He said 480 families are currently sheltered in the camp. Some 80 families will return to the camp in the next few days.
Recently, dozens of Palestinian families presented their ownership documents at a government checkpoint near the main entrance to Yarmouk Camp, in Damascus, so as to get permits to return to the area and retrieve their houses and property.
Once documents are submitted, a security officer accompanies the resident to his/her house to check whether the building is habitable. In case the house is uninhabitable, the return request will be turned down pending reconstruction.
Palestinian families continue to call on the concerned authorities to allow them a safe return to their homes in Yarmouk and to press ahead with reconstruction projects.
A number of activists have also warned of ongoing attempts to alter the demographic character of the camp and blur its identity as a living witness to the Palestinian refugee plight.
Unofficial statistics indicate that some 200 families have remained in Yarmouk Camp. Scores of stranded families fled the camp following the 33-day military operation launched by the government forces on April 19, 2018.
The Syrian government forces regained control over the area and southern Damascus towns following the operation. Dozens of civilians were killed and dozens more injured in the offensive. Over 60% of buildings in Yarmouk have gone either totally or partially destroyed.
Director of the political department of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Ambassador Anwar Abdul Hadi, said the return of displaced families to Yarmouk Camp has been taking place at a steady place under the supervision of Damascus Governorate
He said the return of families is contingent upon reconstruction of vital facilities and rehabilitation of water, power and sewerage networks.
He said 480 families are currently sheltered in the camp. Some 80 families will return to the camp in the next few days.
Recently, dozens of Palestinian families presented their ownership documents at a government checkpoint near the main entrance to Yarmouk Camp, in Damascus, so as to get permits to return to the area and retrieve their houses and property.
Once documents are submitted, a security officer accompanies the resident to his/her house to check whether the building is habitable. In case the house is uninhabitable, the return request will be turned down pending reconstruction.
Palestinian families continue to call on the concerned authorities to allow them a safe return to their homes in Yarmouk and to press ahead with reconstruction projects.
A number of activists have also warned of ongoing attempts to alter the demographic character of the camp and blur its identity as a living witness to the Palestinian refugee plight.
Unofficial statistics indicate that some 200 families have remained in Yarmouk Camp. Scores of stranded families fled the camp following the 33-day military operation launched by the government forces on April 19, 2018.
The Syrian government forces regained control over the area and southern Damascus towns following the operation. Dozens of civilians were killed and dozens more injured in the offensive. Over 60% of buildings in Yarmouk have gone either totally or partially destroyed.
