Primary Investigator
Monette Zard
Allan Rosenfield Associate Professor of Forced Migration and Health in the Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health at the Columbia University Medical Center
Project Description
The Syrian conflict has generated over 5.5 million refugees and over 6 million internally displaced people. The systematic military targeting of healthcare services is a unique feature of the conflict – over half of all health facilities have been partially or completely destroyed and at least 15,000 of Syria’s 30,000 physicians have fled the country. As the Syrian regime consolidates power and the conflict winds down, the prospect for one of the largest repatriation operations in modern times is being discussed. Yet, the challenges are formidable. Assuming that barriers to peaceful governance and justice can be overcome, decision-making around repatriation will likely hinge on whether and how returnees will be able to access basic services, including heath care. Access to health care is closely linked to issues of safety, security, documentation and restitution of property. Thus, health is a critical lens through which to explore how to support successful and sustainable refugee returns.
This proposed research will systematically investigate how access to health care influences individual refugee decision-making about repatriation – an area which is under studied. It will integrate this information into a larger exploration of how to plan for post-conflict reconstruction of the healthcare sector, building on lessons learned from past reconstruction and repatriation efforts (including Iraq the Balkans), and addressing the various ethical, accountability and logistical challenges that should be anticipated prior to large-scale investments in Syria.
We will use an innovative mixed methods approach, including focus group discussions, the development of a survey, key informant interviews, a systematic literature review, and a regional convening that will bring together individuals who have worked on repatriation and reconstruction in other contexts. The findings will be used to inform planning, policies and investments in post-conflict reconstruction of the Syrian health care system.