By Idiris Okuduci
DOHA, Qatar (AA) – Turkiye created a safe environment in northern Syria through its own means so that Syrian refugees can return home, said a local official on Saturday.
Through Turkish efforts, “500,000 Syrians were able to return to their country voluntarily. We create a suitable atmosphere in Syria and ensured that refugees return to their homes," Savas Unlu, the head of Turkiye’s Migration Management Directorate, said in a speech at the Doha Forum in Qatar.
“Turkiye hosts 3.7 million Syrian refugees. In addition, there are also 300,000 more refugees from different countries of the world,” he added.
On the global refugee crisis, Unlu also underlined the importance of international solidarity.
The 20th edition of the Doha Forum kicked off in the Qatari capital on Saturday.
The two-day event is attended by prominent speakers, including policymakers, representatives of international organizations, business leaders, activists. and academia.
“Turkey continues to host the largest number of refugees worldwide, as the number of people forcibly displaced across the world due to conflict, violence and persecution hit record levels,” according to the UN refugee agency UNCHR.
“Turkey currently hosts some 3.6 million registered Syrian refugees along with close to 320,000 persons of concern from other nationalities,” it added.
* Writing by Seda Sevencan