The family unit is the backbone of Syrian society, and it has been dramatically affected by the conflict, with family members dispersed in displacement, detained, or killed. Family reunion plays an essential role as a condition for return. This is a focal point in understanding the social impact of forced displacement and the social needs necessary to achieve a joint return in Syria. 

SACD research revealed that 33 per cent of returnees were unable to achieve their goal of family reunion upon their return, which led to their terming of the return experience as “a wrong and disappointing decision”.  

One-third of the participants in the study could not reunite with their families after returning for several reasons, such as the inability of other family members to return because they are wanted by security services or compulsory military service. Hence the issue of return cannot be addressed at the individual level; it ought to be handled through a comprehensive solution and an organized collective, voluntary, safe and dignified return.