Published : 25-01-2025
Fayez Abu Eid | Action Group
Thousands of Palestinian Syrian refugees in Turkey live in a state of confusion and hesitation, torn between the idea of returning to Syria or staying in their host country. While some are gripped by nostalgia for Syria and the refugee camps where they spent their formative years, others argue that life in Turkey, despite its difficulties, offers more stability and safety than the uncertain and unstable conditions in Syria.
The Palestinian Syrian refugee in Turkey stands at a crossroads, caught between longing for the past and confronting the challenges of the present. Many are drawn to the memories of their childhood and the places they called home, yet the harsh realities of asylum in Turkey—such as economic instability, difficulties renewing residency permits, and rising living costs—keep them in limbo.
Personal Stories:
• Abu Mohammed, from Khan al-Shih camp, reflects: “I think about going back to the house where I was born and raised, but the security and economic conditions in Syria make me abandon the idea.”
• Yousef, from Jaramana camp, describes returning as a “fantasy,” explaining that he has no ties left in Syria after losing most of his family to violence, with the rest now scattered across Europe.
• Samer, from Handarat camp, highlights the practical challenges: “Eighty percent of the camp is destroyed, including my home. I don’t have the financial means to rebuild, and there are no job opportunities there. Returning is a complicated and costly process.”
• Ahmed, from Yarmouk camp, admits: “Returning means starting over. My house is destroyed, and my family is scattered. Even if I return, I won’t find the life I knew before.”
On the other hand, the elderly Abu Muhammad from Qaboun eagerly awaits the chance to return, saying with a smile: “Of course I will return as soon as possible.” Yet financial constraints hold him back: “Traveling from Turkey to Syria requires large sums of money. As soon as I can afford it, I will prepare to go back to my home and family.”
Meanwhile, Um Youssef, a refugee from Daraa camp, believes that staying in Turkey is the most realistic option for now: “Here in Turkey, I can work and secure a future for my children. In Syria, I do not know what awaits us.”
Fayez Abu Eid | Action Group
Thousands of Palestinian Syrian refugees in Turkey live in a state of confusion and hesitation, torn between the idea of returning to Syria or staying in their host country. While some are gripped by nostalgia for Syria and the refugee camps where they spent their formative years, others argue that life in Turkey, despite its difficulties, offers more stability and safety than the uncertain and unstable conditions in Syria.
The Palestinian Syrian refugee in Turkey stands at a crossroads, caught between longing for the past and confronting the challenges of the present. Many are drawn to the memories of their childhood and the places they called home, yet the harsh realities of asylum in Turkey—such as economic instability, difficulties renewing residency permits, and rising living costs—keep them in limbo.
Personal Stories:
• Abu Mohammed, from Khan al-Shih camp, reflects: “I think about going back to the house where I was born and raised, but the security and economic conditions in Syria make me abandon the idea.”
• Yousef, from Jaramana camp, describes returning as a “fantasy,” explaining that he has no ties left in Syria after losing most of his family to violence, with the rest now scattered across Europe.
• Samer, from Handarat camp, highlights the practical challenges: “Eighty percent of the camp is destroyed, including my home. I don’t have the financial means to rebuild, and there are no job opportunities there. Returning is a complicated and costly process.”
• Ahmed, from Yarmouk camp, admits: “Returning means starting over. My house is destroyed, and my family is scattered. Even if I return, I won’t find the life I knew before.”
On the other hand, the elderly Abu Muhammad from Qaboun eagerly awaits the chance to return, saying with a smile: “Of course I will return as soon as possible.” Yet financial constraints hold him back: “Traveling from Turkey to Syria requires large sums of money. As soon as I can afford it, I will prepare to go back to my home and family.”
Meanwhile, Um Youssef, a refugee from Daraa camp, believes that staying in Turkey is the most realistic option for now: “Here in Turkey, I can work and secure a future for my children. In Syria, I do not know what awaits us.”
