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UNHCR’s Grandi reaffirms support for Türkiye’s refugee response and voluntary returns

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UNHCR’s Grandi reaffirms support for Türkiye’s refugee response and voluntary returns

High Commissioner Filippo Grandi visits Türkiye to discuss how best to support Syrian refugees who are voluntarily returning home
29 January 2025 Also available in:
High Commissioner Filippo Grandi visits Türkiye

Ankara, Türkiye – Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, reaffirmed UNHCR’s commitment to supporting Türkiye, home to one of the world’s largest refugee populations, as he concluded a two-day visit to the country.

Since the fall of the regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria on 8 December, some 80,000 people have reportedly voluntarily returned to Syria from Türkiye, which continues to host over 3 million people in need of international protection, including 2.9 million Syrians.

As part of a regional visit, arriving in Türkiye from Syria through the Cilvegözü (Bab al-Hawa) border crossing in Hatay province, one of the five crossings where voluntary returns take place, Grandi visited the voluntary repatriation processing area. Accompanied by the President of Migration Management, Atilla Toros, he met Syrian refugees preparing to return home, who shared their mixed emotions and hopes.

“Recent developments offer hope that the suffering may finally ease and that the world’s largest forced displacement crisis could move toward a real solution. Yet, for millions of Syrians, the path forward remains uncertain, marked by risks and difficult decisions,” said Grandi.

Highlighting the importance of giving Syrians the time and space to assess conditions, Grandi praised Türkiye’s policy of authorizing ‘go-and-see visits,’ saying, “This is a best practice as it allows refugees to assess conditions for themselves, and can pave the way for sustainable returns to Syria.”

At the voluntary repatriation processing area, Grandi met with UNHCR staff monitoring the process and addressing individual concerns.

In Ankara, Grandi met with Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Burhanettin Duran. Discussions focused on the longstanding cooperation between UNHCR and Türkiye, including voluntary returns for Syrian refugees, the latest situation and needs inside Syria, and potential opportunities for further collaboration.

Highlighting the immense humanitarian challenges in Syria, including continued widespread displacement, extensive destruction of homes and damaged infrastructure, Grandi added: “People in Syria need lifesaving help like shelter, but to rebuild their lives they need much more: jobs, healthcare, schools, security, services, and subsistence assistance. To sustain that requires a global recovery effort, so Syrians can rebuild their country.”

Grandi underlined UNHCR’s commitment to continuing its support for Türkiye and highlighted the importance of solidarity with the country that has provided protection to millions for over 14 years.

“Humanitarian and early recovery support to Syria is crucial for enabling continued and sustained voluntary repatriation. Meanwhile, continued, diversified, and flexible funding to support host countries, including Türkiye, is essential to ensure that assistance continues to reach those in need during these uncertain times,” he said.

For more information on this topic, please contact:

• In Türkiye, Selin Unal, +90 530 2827862, [email protected]