Syria emergency
Syria emergency
An offensive by armed groups on 27 November 2024 led to the overthrow of the former government on 8 December, sparking hopes for an end to the world’s largest displacement crisis alongside uncertainty over the country’s immediate future.
Before these dramatic events, 12.3 million people remained displaced inside Syria and in neighbouring countries following more than 13 years of crisis.
Countries affected: Egypt | Iraq | Jordan | Lebanon | Syrian Arab Republic | Türkiye
people in need of humanitarian and protection assistance in Syria
internally displaced people
Syrian refugees registered in neighbouring countries: Türkiye, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt
Are you a refugee, asylum-seeker or stateless person looking for help? Visit the HELP site to find support and services from UNHCR.
What is happening in Syria and in neighbouring countries?
The situation inside Syria remains volatile and uncertain, with the UN Secretary-General and UNHCR among those calling for a peaceful and orderly transition of power. Millions of displaced Syrians inside the country and across the region are watching developments before making a decision on whether to return home.
Before the overthrow of the government, more than 13 years of crisis had already driven humanitarian needs inside Syria to record levels amid widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure and economic collapse. Intensified Israeli attacks on neighbouring Lebanon since October 2024 forced hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees and Lebanese to cross the border into Syria, worsening an already desperate situation.
Across the region, dwindling international support has driven millions of Syrian refugees into extreme poverty and placed huge strain on the countries and communities that have generously hosted them for more than a decade, mainly in Türkiye, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt.
UNHCR stands ready to support Syrians wherever they are. We urge all parties to act now to ensure this moment becomes a turning point toward hope, recovery, and lasting peace and stability for the Syrian people.
What is UNHCR doing to help?
UNHCR has expanded its support to returnees and IDPs inside Syria, focusing on protection, housing, civil documentation, and basic assistance. It operationalized the 2025 Voluntary Return Operational Framework to guide principled assistance for refugees and IDPs, implementing community-based projects in key return areas and expanding legal aid services to address documentation gaps.
UNHCR works closely with the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office and other agencies on solutions for residents of Al-Hol and Al-Roj camps, including reintegration, and co-leads a Damascus-based Task Force to coordinate efforts.
In 2026, UNHCR will continue reinforcing border and protection monitoring, maintaining a strong field presence despite security challenges, and producing analytical updates to inform planning and advocacy. At the regional level, UNHCR will advocate for Syrians’ right to seek asylum, call for sustained support to host countries, and promote inclusive approaches that strengthen national systems and durable solutions.
Through the Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan (3RP), UNHCR will work with humanitarian and development actors to maintain assistance for refugees in host countries, recognizing that most will remain there in the medium term. UNHCR will also support safe, voluntary, and dignified returns, while addressing barriers to reintegration through investments in housing, livelihoods, and basic services.
