Russia sets up refugee center in Syria

Russia has established a center for the reception, distribution and accommodation of refugees in Syria, the Russian Defense Ministry said Wednesday.

The center was set up in line with the Syrian authorities "in the framework of international efforts to help the return of Syrian refugees to their places of permanent residence", the ministry said in a statement.

According to the statement, the center will monitor the return of temporarily displaced persons and Syrian refugees from foreign countries to their homes and arrange humanitarian aid deliveries to Syria, as well as help restore the healthcare system and other human services.

The center's activities will be coordinated by a headquarters in Moscow jointly established by Russia's Defense Ministry and Foreign Ministry.

Meanwhile, information on Russia's initiative to address the issue of Syrian refugees' return to their homes through diplomatic channels is provided to corresponding units of the United Nations, as well as to Russia's embassies in 36 countries with the largest number of Syrian refugees, the ministry said.