German authorities confirmed today that they are distributing money to Syrian refugees returning home to help them cover the costs of the journey and start a new life in their country.

The German news agency dpa, citing informed sources, reported that Syrian families planning to return can apply to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees for a one-off payment of up to 4,000 euros, while individuals are entitled to a maximum of 1,000 euros.

On 13 January, Syria was added to the German Voluntary Return and Reintegration Programme, which aims to support migrants who want to return voluntarily to their home country or migrate to another country.

According to the German Interior Ministry, there are currently around 975,000 Syrians living in Germany, most of whom fled the crisis that erupted in their country in 2011.