Syria's al-Sharaa commits to closing displacement camps by 2027

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa said Monday that his country is committed to closing displacement camps by 2027, in an address to the 79th session of the World Health Assembly, the top decision-making body of the World Health Organization, according to SANA news agency. "I address you today from Damascus at a moment when the world faces challenges that require a shared international will that places human health at the forefront of priorities," Sharaa said via video conference.

Reconstruction and health

"Our participation in the 79th session confirms that Syria, as it moves confidently along the path of recovery, is playing a central and effective role in shaping sustainable regional and global health security," he added. "As your assembly places the close link between climate change and health at the top of its priorities, Syria's reconstruction process is laying the groundwork for a sustainable environmental and health reality."

Camp closure commitment

"Because human stability is at the heart of sustainability, we have made a national commitment to close the chapter of the camps by 2027," Sharaa said. About 1 million displaced Syrians live in tents in northern Syria, spread across 1,150 camps, including 801 in Idlib and 349 in Aleppo, according to field data.

Return to stability

Sharaa said the goal of closing the camps represents "a practical embodiment of the global action plan on climate and health." "The main path to protecting people from climate-related repercussions lies in ensuring their return from fragile environments to stability, safe life and human dignity," he said.

Transitional administration

In December 2024, former President Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia, ending Baath Party rule. A transitional administration led by Sharaa was formed in January 2025.