Future of the Syrians in Hesse: Return or New Home?

Future of the Syrians in Hesse: Return or New Home?

The discussion about the return of Syrian refugees after the potential end of Assad rule in Syria has taken on in the past few months. According to estimates, around 974,136 people with Syrian origin currently live in Germany, of which around 63,000 live in Hesse, where many of them have already successfully integrated in the labor market. Particularly noteworthy is the importance of the Syrian community in healthcare and other system -relevant appointments.

An example is 24-year-old Ahmed Alfihan, who fled to Hesse in 2016 from Idlib. Today he works as a nurse in the Diakonie Hospital in Marburg-Wehrda. Despite his successful integration, he expresses concerns about the possible deportation of his parents. In the hospital in which he works, ten Syrian nurses and doctors are employed, which, according to managing director Sebastian Spies, is essential for the company. This situation illustrates how important Syrian refugees are for health care in Hesse.

Syrian refugees in the German labor market

in Hesse are currently working in 18,000 Syrian refugees, many of them in areas such as healthcare, logistics and food trade. A total of 278 Syrian doctors work in Hesse, while around 15,000 Syrians work in health professions nationwide, including around 5,700 doctors. Felix Kreuziger from Ponturo also emphasizes the role of Syrian employees in the field of artificial intelligence. The presence of these specialists is not only important for companies, but also for patient care.

Stefan Füll, the President of the Hessian craftsmanship, warns of an impending shortage of skilled workers in the craft and emphasizes the need to keep Syrian employees in the country. Alfihan himself can imagine a temporary return to Syria, but recognizes Germany as its second home.

The current situation in Syria and return debate

The situation in Syria remains tense, which makes the return of many refugees uncertain. By the end of October 2024, 74,971 Syrians had made asylum applications in Germany, since the situation in their home country is still unsure. Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser emphasizes that concrete return options are currently not foreseeable. Jens Spahn, former Minister of Health, suggests actively promoting return options and offering charter flights and financial support.

Over 47,000 Asylum applications from Syrians are currently pending, and many refugees from neighboring countries Syria, such as Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan, have already taken up a return. Nevertheless, the majority of refugees are waiting in Germany. A remarkable part of the Syrian community already has a high level of education, so that a return could also have an impact on medical care in Germany.

Hope for new Syria is underpinned by demonstrations in cities such as Stuttgart, Essen and Berlin. Ryyan Alshebl, who came to Germany nine years ago and is now mayor of Ostelsheim in Baden-Württemberg, speaks of a large number of people who “only“ live ”in Germany and are considering a return to Syria. However, he plans to visit his family in Syria in summer, but sees an early return as unlikely.

Overall, the discussion about the return of Syrian refugees to Germany is not only a challenge for politics, but also for society and the labor market. The Syrians living in Germany play a decisive role in many areas of economy and life, and their return could have serious consequences for patient care and the shortage of skilled workers.