Extensive earthquake damage to residential buildings in Syria raises many questions about what structural and legal measures those affected should take to protect their property.
In Latakia, the Damascus-controlled province most impacted by the February 6 earthquake, “chaos” ruled the emergency response, amid concerns about long-term displacement in the absence of a plan for alternative housing.
Many residential buildings in northwestern Syria were already weakened by years of bombing or built in ways that did not meet engineering and construction standards when the February 6 earthquake struck, leaving them prone to collapse.
In northeastern Syria, the lack of an accurate land registry prompted de facto authorities to suspend most ongoing court cases regarding property rights. Two years later, legal paralysis prevails.
After years of waiting, hundreds of evicted residents of informal neighborhoods of Damascus learned in November that they received alternative housing. But the estimated value of each unit went up, and “most of the people allocated housing can’t make the down payment.”
Why is Turkey interested in building housing in northern Syria? Who funds and implements these projects? And why are some human rights actors concerned about Ankara’s activities?
Families displaced to Idlib struggle to find stability amidst a severe housing shortage and exploitation by landlords and rental offices.
A family supporting the Syrian government has occupied Abeer's house in Homs.
When Jawad’s family refused to sign the reconciliation agreement, their home became state property
Syria Direct launches its new podcast “Ard Dyar,” which tells the human stories behind Housing, Land and Property (HLP) rights violations in Syria.
