Refugees at Zaatari camp, which shelters about 80,000 Syrians on the border with Jordan. AFP
Refugees at Zaatari camp, which shelters about 80,000 Syrians on the border with Jordan. AFP
Refugees at Zaatari camp, which shelters about 80,000 Syrians on the border with Jordan. AFP
Refugees at Zaatari camp, which shelters about 80,000 Syrians on the border with Jordan. AFP

World Governments Summit: UN refugee chief calls for support for Syrians to return home


Nick Webster
  • English
  • Arabic

Syria can become a model of how to repatriate hundreds of thousands of refugees as humanitarian organisations look for a new approach to help the largest number of displaced people since the Second World War.

Following 10 years of conflict, more than 14 million Syrians are thought to have fled their homes in search of peace and safety. Speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, said brave decisions were needed to reintegrate Syrians back into communities as many now look to return.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. AFP
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. AFP

“The number of active conflicts at the end of last year was about 120 – that’s enormous,” said Mr Grandi at the World Governments Summit in Dubai.

“Because of that, people decide to leave their homes, not by choice, but it's a decision they have to make. It's one of the most difficult decisions. The type of conflict we are witnessing has become even worse, so people flee in much larger numbers. This is why we have now in our statistics 123 million refugees. This is a figure we have not reached since the Second World War.”

Syrians on the move

The UNHCR works in 136 countries, helping establish temporary settlements for displaced people, as well as food and medical support. Last year, Iran hosted the largest number of refugees, almost 3.8 million, followed by Turkey which has taken in 3.1 million. Mr Grandi said UNHCR surveys showed more Syrians were looking to return home since the downfall of former president Bashar Al Assad.

“A year ago, those who said they wanted to go back within a year were less than 2 per cent,” Mr Grandi added. “After December and the change of government, already that number has reached 30 per cent. People are watching, but we need to help them. Sometimes building peace is even more difficult than making peace.

“It requires resources, and a bit of risk taking in investing in a very fragile situation so they don't slide back into conflict and misery. Syria, in my opinion, with a lot of caution and vigilance, is one such situation in which we can reverse this pattern of crisis displacement and find a solution.”

Dubai Bling season three

Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed 

Rating: 1/5

While you're here
Company profile: buybackbazaar.com

Name: buybackbazaar.com

Started: January 2018

Founder(s): Pishu Ganglani and Ricky Husaini

Based: Dubai

Sector: FinTech, micro finance

Initial investment: $1 million

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Ticket prices
  • Golden circle - Dh995
  • Floor Standing - Dh495
  • Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
  • Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
  • Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
  • Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
  • Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
  • Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage

Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid 

Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani

Rating: 4/5

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MATCH INFO

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Suarez (10'), Messi (52')

Real Madrid 2
Ronaldo (14'), Bale (72')

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Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

Results

2.30pm: Park Avenue – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (Dirt) 2,000m; Winner: Rb Seqondtonone, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)

3.05pm: Al Furjan – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Bosphorus, Dane O’Neill, Bhupat Seemar

3.40pm: Mina – Rated Condition (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Royal Mews, Tadhg O’Shea, Bhupat Seemar

4.15pm: Aliyah – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,900m; Winner: Ursa Minor, Ray Dawson, Ahmad bin Harmash

4.50pm: Riviera Beach – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 2,200m; Winner: Woodditton, Saif Al Balushi, Ahmad bin Harmash

5.25pm: Riviera – Handicap (TB) Dh2,000 (T) 2,000m; Winner: Al Madhar, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi

6pm: Creek Views – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Al Salt, Dane O’Neill, Erwan Charpy

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

Who has been sanctioned?

Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.

Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.

Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.

Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.

The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
​​​​​​​Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km

THE LIGHT

Director: Tom Tykwer

Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger

Rating: 3/5

Updated: February 13, 2025, 6:17 AM`