125,000 Syrian refugees face desperate conditions after returning home: UNHCR

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125,000 Syrian refugees face desperate conditions after returning home: UNHCR

2025-01-10 17:16 Last Updated At：19:37

More than 125,000 Syrian refugees who have recently returned to Syria are facing severe challenges, including inadequate shelter, healthcare, and economic opportunities, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Despite hopes that political changes in Syria would pave the way for their return, many refugees are confronting critical shortages in basic services. These difficulties persist amid the country's ongoing struggles, which have left much of Syria devastated by years of conflict.

Syria remains the source of world's largest refugee crisis, with more than 14 million Syrians displaced since 2011. While there have been hopes for stability following recent political developments, the country's devastation from years of conflict continues to pose significant challenges for those returning.

Nearly 15 million Syrians now require healthcare, while 13 million face acute food insecurity, and many are struggling with shelter shortages amid harsh winter conditions. Ongoing instability in areas under Caretaker Authorities, marked by continuing clashes, has compounded these issues.

At a briefing this week to the UN Security Council, Thomas Fletcher, the UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, underscored the importance of facilitating aid, noting that sanctions should not obstruct humanitarian support.

"We need to ensure efficient flow of support into and through Syria. This means that any sanctions should not impede humanitarian support. The United States' announcement of a new General License covering transactions with Syrian governing institutions also provides a welcome signal. It also means support for and from Syria's neighbors," said Fletcher. The UN says it needs 73.2 million U.S. dollars over the next six months to support more than 1.1 million people. Officials say they urgently need shelter, water, and health services, warnings that it is time now to turn words into actions.

CMG's broadcast vehicles head to Harbin for Asian Winter Games

2025-01-10 19:16 Last Updated At：19:37

China Media Group (CMG)'s ultra-high-definition broadcast vehicles have begun their journey from Beijing to Harbin, where they will provide coverage for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Asian Winter Games, along with several key sports events.

Set to open on February 7 in Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang Province, the Games will mark China's first major international winter sports event since the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. This year's edition will feature record participation, with over 1,500 athletes from 34 countries and regions.

The first batch of the fleet, distinguished by their iconic "Chinese Red" color, departed from CMG's headquarters on Guanghua Road on Friday. These vehicles, previously deployed during the Beijing Winter Olympics and the 2023 National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities in Sanya, are equipped with cutting-edge technology to ensure broadcasts meet Olympic standards.

In Harbin, the fleet will cover a range of winter sports events, including figure skating, short track speed skating, halfpipe events, cross-country skiing, and biathlon, in addition to the opening and closing ceremonies.

The 1,300-kilometer journey from Beijing to Harbin is expected to take three days, with a total of 30 vehicles being sent to the Games. Some of these vehicles also served in covering the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, continuing CMG's tradition of delivering top-tier international sports broadcasts.