Syria and Lebanon Discuss Social Protection and Refugee Return
Syrian Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Hind Kabawat and her Lebanese counterpart, Haneen El-Sayed, held formal talks in Damascus this week to address strategies for strengthening bilateral cooperation. The discussions focused on social protection, the exchange of technical expertise, and the creation of mechanisms to facilitate the safe and dignified return of Syrian refugees to their homeland.
During the official visit, which included site tours of several training and rehabilitation centers, the ministers convened a joint press conference at the “Qudurat” center in Damascus. Minister Kabawat announced that the talks centered on three key pillars: child protection, the exchange of experiences in social welfare programming, and the regulation of return pathways for displaced Syrians.
Kabawat emphasized that the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor is prioritizing the support of returning families. This includes developing transparent and equitable financial assistance systems, creating employment opportunities, and rehabilitating social development centers in areas experiencing the return of refugees and displaced persons.
Lebanese Minister Haneen El-Sayed noted that the visit represents a new phase in bilateral relations, grounded in mutual respect and the sovereign equality of both nations. She highlighted the significant overlap in the challenges faced by both ministries, urging a transition from purely protocol-based cooperation to active, field-based collaboration. El-Sayed underscored the importance of activating the social cooperation agreement signed in 2000 and drafting memorandums of understanding to produce tangible results for citizens.
Regarding the refugee dossier, the Lebanese minister cited UNHCR data indicating that approximately 700,000 Syrians have returned from Lebanon as of September 2026. She stressed that sustainable return requires concerted efforts to provide a supportive environment, including housing, education, and essential services, to ensure returnees can resume their lives with dignity.
The delegation’s itinerary also featured a dialogue session in Daraya, Rif Dimashq, involving civil society representatives, where the Lebanese minister reviewed local efforts to revive social and economic activity. Concluding their meetings, the ministers reaffirmed the importance of building a national social protection system in Syria, leveraging Lebanese experience in cash support programs, and prioritizing child protection. Both sides emphasized that removing children from the labor market to guarantee their right to education and healthy development remains a fundamental pillar for rebuilding the Syrian social fabric in the coming phase.
Source: Syria Focus Arabic
