Syrians Near Hama Resettle in Caves After War, Lacking Funds to Rebuild

Return to Ruined Villages

• 🏠 Families like Rajaa Izzo's have returned to their village in the Hama countryside after fleeing the civil war.
• 💔 They find their homes destroyed and little left standing after government forces seized the area and they took refuge in displacement camps.

Living in Caves

• ⛰️ Many returning families are now living in caves that once served as hideouts during the conflict.
• 🥶 Conditions are harsh, with limited access to basic services like electricity and water, though some consider it an improvement over other cave dwellings.

Challenges to Rebuilding

• 💰 Returning residents face significant challenges due to a lack of funds and functioning services.
• 🌍 Rebuilding the country remains a distant goal, with the World Bank estimating reconstruction costs at $216 billion after over 13 years of conflict.
• 📈 The new government is seeking to rebuild Syria, but the scale of destruction presents a monumental task.