UNHCR: Historic return of displaced Syrians presents opportunity and urgent challenges

DAMASCUS - The fall of the Assad regime has opened an extraordinary window of hope for peace and stability in Syria. A year on, displaced Syrians are returning to their homes – over 3 million to date – but much more international support is required if the trend is to prove lasting.

According to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, more than 1.2 million Syrians have voluntarily returned from neighbouring countries since December 2024, alongside over 1.9 million internally displaced people (IDPs) who have gone back to their areas of origin. Many more have expressed a desire to return.

This marks a critical step in Syria's healing process. Forced displacement was among the deep wounds inflicted by the conflict, and return is critical to end years of suffering and ensure stabilization. “This is a once-in-a-generation chance to help end one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises,” said UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. “But without urgent global backing, this window of hope will close. Syrians are ready to rebuild – the question is whether the world is ready to help them do it".

As an increasing number of Syrians head home, UNHCR has begun facilitating voluntary returns from neighbouring countries to ensure they are dignified and sustainable. Support includes cash assistance, transportation and counselling on civil documentation required to facilitate reintegration.

UNHCR has scaled up its activities in neighbouring host countries since January 2025 to respond to growing demand for voluntary returns. At least 170,000 Syrians have returned from Jordan to Syria since 8 December 2024. UNHCR Jordan has assisted in over 24,000 instances, including through counselling, information sharing, transportation and cash assistance.

In Lebanon, UNHCR had closed refugee support for some 379,000 Syrians as of the end of November based on confirmed or presumed return. Of these, 45,000 have received counselling, repatriation forms, and return cash grants from UNHCR, and over 2,600 have also benefited from transport organized by IOM. The voluntary repatriation programme is implemented in close cooperation with the authorities. In Egypt, almost 28,000 individual cases have been closed since 8 December 2024. In Türkiye, in the last year, around 560,000 Syrians have voluntarily returned. UNHCR has monitored around 420,000 returns in coordination with the authorities.

Refugees have received counselling, information on conditions in areas of origin, and cash for transport. UNHCR is also supporting with civil documentation before departure and providing referrals and financial support upon arrival.

UNHCR stresses that refugees should not be forced to return. The security situation inside Syria remains fluid in certain areas, and Syrian refugees are closely monitoring how conditions on the ground evolve. There are still immense challenges in a country shattered by 14 years of war. Entire neighbourhoods remain in ruins, including schools, hospitals and water systems. Electricity, clean water and health care remain patchy. Livelihood opportunities are limited and local markets are short of supplies. Many returnees lack civil documents, hindering access to property rights and essential services. Unexploded ordnance continues to threaten lives; 577 people have lost their lives since the beginning of the year.

UNHCR is working to improve conditions for returnees. Since the beginning of the year, over 36,000 households have been supported with cash upon their return to Syria, and almost 30,000 individuals have received transport from the border to their destinations. Our teams are rehabilitating damaged homes and providing relief items. So far, almost 3,000 families have been supported with shelter repairs; 84,000 families have received essentials such as blankets, mattresses and winter clothing; and almost 30,000 families have received winter assistance.

To address legal aid and civil documentation needs, UNHCR Syria is providing services in community centres and through mobile teams to help returnees reclaim property and access services. Teams are also working to prevent gender-based violence, protect children and provide psychosocial help. UNHCR has rehabilitated civil registries and cadastral offices. UNHCR is also supporting vocational initiatives to foster recovery, including the creation of small businesses.

Despite these efforts, UNHCR's $1.5 billion 2025 appeal for the Syria situation is only 33 per cent funded, leaving millions without adequate shelter, basic services and support for the looming winter. Approximately 4.5 million Syrian refugees remain in neighbouring countries, most living below the poverty line. They need continued support, as do the countries hosting them. Increased funding is urgently needed to scale up recovery and reconstruction, expand training and ensure continued protection and humanitarian aid, while supporting host countries still sheltering millions of Syrians. This can maintain stability and prevent unsafe and unsustainable returns.

The Syrian Government holds the primary responsibility to create a secure, rights-based environment that sustains voluntary returns. In this new Syria, we must see only voluntary returns, not new displacements.

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