20190110yahoo
The Situation of Syria’s Internally Displaced Persons and their Perceptions
Syrian refugees have received a significant attention worldwide. However, very little is known about
the experiences of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) living within the government-controlledareas of Syria. People are crossing the Mediterranean in dilapidated boats and walking throughBalkan grasslands. People are getting stuck at border fences and living in tents and are also being
exposed to harsh weather because of these conditions. Various investigations, reports andpublications are in circulation in Japan regarding people who are forced to leave their homes due tothe Syrian conflict. The image of these people and what could be done to support them havesomewhat solidified in the public mind. However, very little is known about situations of theinternally displaced people living in government-controlled Syrian land.
It is an On-the-Spot Report, so this Time, it Will Surely Be a Major Hit
In many cases, interviews with IDPs are prefaced with a statement that “Syrian government officials
are accompanying the interview team; hence, it is hard to believe that the interviewees are reportingwith honesty.” Often, it is the interviewer who refuses to analyze the local information. People living
under authoritarian regimes, in Syria and elsewhere, fear the authorities, and in a sense it is quite
natural that they do not feel comfortable reporting the truth of their situation. Currently, those who
conduct interviews and investigations must consider who has composed the compulsory modelanswers they are receiving and for what reasons they are given. They must also consider what kindof claims and messages are contained within these answers, and must go beyond theoversimplification that the interviewees are not telling the truth.
It is possible that people not giving truthful information to researchers may be more frequently
encountered in a completely democratic society than in Syria. I was investigating the experiences ofSyrians and other Arab people in cross-border migrations before the Syrian conflict, and I have often
received advice or concern regarding this issue from those in the same business or survey pioneers.
Especially, Syrian refugees living in EU countries and Turkey are over-researched with interviews
and surveys, which causes difficulties for research institutions’ and investigators. That is, those who
dislike excessive concern given to them will be unwilling to respond to the coverage, and those whoare looking to benefit will regularly give false testimonies to maximize their profit.
A suitable support method such as investigating the actual condition of aid recipients andimplementing assistance based on demand works only if interviewers have learned to discern underand over-reporting. It is not possible to discern whether it is worth visiting the local areas, especiallyconflict sites, just to hear local voices.
Listen to an Array of Local Voices
The information that came up in public opinion surveys on internally displaced people in Syria is
introduced in one part. Note that all figures shown are preliminary.
https://cmeps-j.net/ja/poll_surveys/syria2018
The economic situation of internally displaced people is considerably more serious than theSyrians who have not been displaced. The situation of women, in particular, is striking.
MenNo Income< US$100（SP50,000）
US$101-200（SP50,001-100,000）
US$201-300（SP100,001-150,000）
US$301-400（SP150,001-200,000）
US$401-500（SP200,001-250,000）> US$501（SP250,001）
Unknown
Total

WomenTotal

#%

#%

#%

55

6.24

195

31.5

250

16.67

294

33.37

284

45.88

584

38.87

332

37.68

105

16.96

432

28.8

106

12.03

23

3.72

129

8.6

63

7.15

9

1.45

72

4.8

26

2.95

30.48

29

1.93

4

0.45

00

4

0.27

10.11

0000881

100

619

100

1,500

100

Of those living in Syria who were not displaced persons, 88% had a monthly income of less thanUS$200 in 2016 and that percentage fell to 75% in the first half of 2017. This number fell totwo-thirds in the latter half of 2017, showing an improvement in finances. However, fewer than 90%of internally displaced persons in Syria, still continue to have an income of less than US$200 permonth.
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/byline/takaokayutaka/20170707-00073050/

Another important perspective is the awareness of IDPs regarding future restoration andreconstruction of Syria. Contributions to the reconstruction of Syria by each country/institution are
illustrated in the chart below. For those in Syria, the expectations from “enemy countries,” UnitedStates, Great Britain, France, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Qatar, are low, and they have positive
expectations from Russia, Iran, and China as ally countries. Expectations from Japan, Sweden,
Germany, and the United Nations are positioned between these two.
10090807060
50403020
100quite much %much %

moderately %not so much %not at all %do not know %Expectations on Japan seem to be quite low given that there was no basis for a simple andsubstantial positive view prior to the Syrian conflict, and the expectations are surprisingly high inview of Japan’s actions, which can be seen as an “enemy country” throughout the conflict.
I Told You That Propaganda Was Ridiculous
Recent surveys have included comments that the “propaganda of the dictatorship regime is not
worth looking at and that there is no significance in conducting it.” However, even if something istermed as propaganda, there remain many points to analyze. For example, if the survey findings
were based on false reports forced by the “authoritarian regime,” what did the Syrian government
hope to achieve from it? Looking at the survey results on monthly income, it is evident that the result
does not serve the propaganda that “Government-controlled areas are a paradise on earth and all
people, including IDPs, are living happily.” Conversely, even if they are being used to exaggerate theplight of people and to encourage countries and institutions to lend assistance, the survey results arefull of materials that could be used to assert the following, “deal with issues before asking forassistance.” The struggle of women is not an issue that can be removed by superficial expressions
such as “(Weak) women will always be oppressed in conflict.” Their struggle is because of young
Syrian males, who were the breadwinners but disappeared because of the conflict. Some have diedwhile the others have been mobilized into the military/militias, arrested/detained/kidnapped, or fledfrom military mobilization. Although the dead cannot be brought back to life, many measures can betaken by the Syrian government to improve the situation as it stands, such as recruiting breadwinners,
demobilization, amnesty, and promoting political and social reconciliation. A glance at the current
survey’s findings reveals that even if there has been false reporting, one can still discover just as
many “inconvenient truths about the dictatorship” that are assumed to be hidden.
The expectations for Japan’s contribution to Syria’s reconstruction are inadequate. Given that
Syrian authorities have thus far achieved over 90% of the votes in the presidential election, it seems
that more extreme numbers will appear if they want to fake expectations of other countries,including Japan and promote improved relations with the Syrian government. Additionally, “enemy”
countries of UAE and Bahrain re-opened its embassies in the Syria in the at the end of 2018, theSyrian government leaders and intelligence personnel began smartly engaging in foreign relations.
Expectations for each country do not carry enough weightage if they are considered as propaganda
due to ulterior motives.
If there was no value in looking at propaganda or fake information because the PR activities ofIslamic extremists, including “Islamic countries,” are also similar to model examples of
propaganda/fake information, those who work hard to observe it, including myself and people in themilitary and intelligence industry, have been wasting their efforts for many years. What makes thissomewhat worthwhile is that we can view the information “as such” and use it as clues to detect
intentions and interests of those who transmit it. Whether true local information or propaganda, if
one lacks the ability to analyze it and simply describes superficial impressions, it can be harmful.
One lesson from public opinion polls in Syria is that prejudice and a lack of critical thinking are theenemies of high-quality analysis.