Migration motivations of internally displaced people: The view from Homs

Preliminary findings of an impact assessment and repatriation programme

  • Sara Gibarti Centre for Economic and Regional Studies, Institute for Regional Studies, Hungary
  • Daniel Solymari Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta, Budapest, Hungary
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5937/jrs18-40300
Keywords: Syrian conflict, IDPs, refugees, repatriation, psychosocial impacts

Abstract


The Syrian conflict led to a countrywide realignment in both territorial and demographic traits with catastrophic consequences for the population. More than 6.6 million people were forced to leave their homeland, and a further 6.7 million became Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Lately a subsequent consolidation of the population ensued which witnessed a partial self-repatriation of IDPs. Here, we report the preliminary results of a study to explore migration motives in the framework of the repatriation aid programme provided for these IDPs. The programme is jointly coordinated by the Melkite Greek Catholic Archeparchy of Homs and the Hungary Helps Program, in and around the city of Homs. Moreover, we provide an overview of the geographic territory covered by the programme, and of the relevant events of the conflict which affected IDPs from the region. Key results from our analysis include the observation that individual experiences of traumatisation and deterioration of social status are major contributing factors that fuel resettlement. Our work casts valuable light on the triggers of internal migration and timely guidance to ongoing struggles and newly emerging conflicts such as that of Ukraine in 2022.

Author Biographies

Sara Gibarti, Centre for Economic and Regional Studies, Institute for Regional Studies, Hungary

Sára Gibárti is a Junior Research Fellow at Centre for Economic and Regional Studies, Institute for Regional Studies, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, and a PhD candidate at the Doctoral Program of Political Science, University of Pécs. She holds both a BA and MA degree in International Relations. Her field of research mainly focuses on paradigm shifts in humanitarian aid practices, food crises induced by armed conflicts, as well as the role of international aid organizations in protracted humanitarian crises and refugee situations.

Daniel Solymari, Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta, Budapest, Hungary

Dániel Solymári completed his university studies in Hungary and then in the United Kingdom in theology and international relations. He is currently a PhD candidate at the Political Science Program of the University of Pécs. He specializes in international aid, sub-Saharan Africa and migration. Mr. Solymári has been volunteering with the Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta since the early 2000s, and since 2010 he has been a full-time employee of the organisation, coordinating its international aid programmes and then heading the department. Under his guidance, the professional qualification of the organisation's international programmes, the expansion of the international partner network and the professionalisation of the present field of activity were developed. Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

Published
2023/08/27
Issue
Vol. 18 No. 1 (2023)
Section
Articles

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