He called for support to refugees who freely choose to exercise their right to return, noting that UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, will continue to work with the Syrian Government and others to improve the situations of communities they are returning to.“It is vital that such returns are freely chosen, and not driven by despair or pressures in host countries, Grandi said. Grandi observed that many of these challenges are starting to be addressed, which is encouraging, but much more remains to be done.“Syrian women have always been strong, but now we are even stronger.”Small numbers of refugees have returned to Syria since the beginning of the conflict – over 90,000 refugees from neighbouring countries in the last three years. “They are trying to live a normal life amidst the ruins, with very little resources, struggling to normalize life that has been disrupted by so many years of war.”“There are children here amidst the ruins that need to go to school, that need to be fed, that need to be clothed.”“There are children here amidst the ruins that need to go to school, that need to be fed, that need to be clothed,” he added. Maria Domenica Grandi 1810 1889 Maria Domenica Grandi (born Tedeschi), 1810 - 1889. Examples include helping refugees to reclaim their documents, addressing the specific needs of particularly vulnerable individuals, and identifying and finding solutions for unaccompanied and separated children.In his meetings, the High Commissioner also expressed his concern about the situation in Idlib, and his hope that any military offensive there “is conducted in a manner that respects human lives, spares civilians and doesn’t create new refugees.”Grandi also visited a community centre in the Dweila neighbourhood of the capital, where he met 48-year-old Mariam Ghanoum, who was taking a vocational training course in painting and decorating having been displaced from her home in Rural Damascus more than 7 years ago.She said she planned to paint her own house once they are able to rebuild it, and perhaps establish a business painting other rebuilt homes. Since early 2017, UNHCR, UN agencies and NGO partners have been engaged in preparedness and planning for an eventual larger-scale organized return.For those Syrian refugees choosing to return, UNHCR offers support. Legal obstacles and challenges in reclaiming property or having their civil documentation or education certificates recognized are also cited.For many refugees, their homes have been destroyed, access to basic services is disrupted, and they are concerned over how they will provide for their families. Both he and his government interlocutors agreed that refugee repatriation can only be based on a voluntary decision by refugees themselves, and needs to take place in safe and dignified conditions, and to be sustainable for the longer-term. Women and children are especially exposed. “We need everything,” he said. UNHCR Subject to the Terms of Usages of UNifeed, UNifeed materials are available free of charge for news purposes only.