Bilal, Abdel Hamid, and Nour—three men who once found shelter in Lebanon’s Arsal camp—are now helping clear the path for Homs’ recovery. Their journey home was not easy, but they chose to return with purpose: to rebuild what was lost and start again.

After years of displacement, the city they came back to was marked by destruction. But for these returnees, it was also home—the place that shaped their earliest memories and long-held dreams.

“Coming back was not just a decision—it was a challenge between two choices: accept a life of displacement, or take part in creating change," says Nour, 22, a second-year French Literature student who supports a family of seven. He joined the UNDP solid waste management project in Homs alongside Bilal and Abdel Hamid.

Supported by the Government of Japan, the initiative aimed at removing 30,000 tons of waste and creating 300 job opportunities across Rural Damascus, Tartous, Homs, Ar-Raqqa, and Hama Governorates. In Homs alone, the project has created 100 jobs. In a city where the return of displaced families has placed additional strain on already damaged infrastructure, the project has provided both immediate relief and longer-term recovery benefits. By clearing debris from streets and public spaces, it addresses urgent health and environmental risks while restoring a sense of normalcy.

Bilal, also 22, is a third-year Electrical Engineering student and the sole provider for a family of five, including a father who requires regular medical care. "Every day we clear tons of rubble. It is like we are helping the city breathe again," he says.

Abdel Hamid, 49, supports a household of six, including his wife, two young daughters, and elderly parents. "This work is not just about cleaning streets. It is about proving that we, the people of this city, are ready to rebuild it," he says. "It helps me support my kids and my parents. It is how we begin again."

The project ignited more than just a pay cheque—it sparked a profound sense of purpose. Bilal and Nour, for instance, found the inspiration to resume their university studies after years of interruption. "For me, the project and the classroom are part of the same goal—rebuilding our future," says Bilal.

As Homs slowly comes back to life, these three returnees are demonstrating what recovery looks like, from the ground up. Their involvement in the clean-up is not just a job; it is a meaningful contribution to a broader community effort to reclaim and restore their city. With every load of debris removed, the residents of Homs are one step closer to a healthier, more hopeful environment.

The solid waste project is part of a broader UNDP effort, supported by Japan, to address urgent environmental and public health concerns while providing economic opportunities in areas most affected by displacement and return. The initiative has not only improved urban conditions but also strengthened community resilience by restoring dignity and purpose to those most in need.

"We want Homs to be a city built again by its own people," says Bilal.

As Nour puts it, "Every load of debris we remove, every university class we attend—it is all part of building Syria back."