Syrian Returns Surge After Assad’s Fall, Yet UN Warns Global Support Is Vital

Since December 2024, over 1.2 million Syrian refugees have returned from neighbouring countries, according to UNHCR.

One year after the fall of the Assad regime, Syria is witnessing an unprecedented wave of voluntary returns, offering a glimpse of hope for a nation shattered by 14 years of war. More than 3 million displaced Syrians—both refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs)—have already begun making their way back to their towns and villages. But despite this hopeful trend, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) stresses that without rapid and substantial international assistance, this fragile progress could quickly unravel.

A Historic Turning Point for Syria

Since December 2024, over 1.2 million Syrian refugees have returned from neighbouring countries, according to UNHCR. At the same time, an estimated 1.9 million IDPs have returned to their areas of origin. Many more have registered their intention to return, encouraged by a political landscape they hope will remain stable.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi described the moment as a rare opportunity:

“This is a once-in-a-generation chance to help end one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Syrians are ready to rebuild – the question is whether the world is ready to help them do it.”

UNHCR Facilitates Safe, Voluntary and Informed Returns

As return numbers rise, UNHCR has significantly expanded its operations across neighbouring countries. Support includes:

• Cash assistance for transport and basic needs

• Counselling on documentation and property rights

• Transportation from borders to hometowns

• Information on conditions in areas of return

Key Return Trends (2024–2025)

• Jordan: At least 170,000 returns since December 2024; UNHCR has assisted over 24,000 individuals through counselling, transport and cash support.

• Lebanon: Support closed for 379,000 cases due to confirmed/presumed return; 45,000 received return counselling and grants; 2,600 transported by IOM.

• Türkiye: Around 560,000 refugees have voluntarily returned in the past year; UNHCR monitored 420,000 of these cases.

• Egypt: Nearly 28,000 cases closed due to return since December 2024.

These returns are coordinated with national authorities to ensure they remain voluntary, safe and dignified, in line with international law.

Challenges Inside Syria: A Country Still in Ruins

Despite optimism, the conditions awaiting returnees are extremely difficult:

• Large urban areas remain destroyed—homes, hospitals, schools and water networks lie in rubble.

• Electricity and clean water remain unreliable or absent.

• Livelihoods are scarce, markets lack essential goods, and inflation remains high.

• Many returnees lack civil documentation, blocking access to property rights, healthcare and education.

• Unexploded ordnance remains a critical danger—claiming 577 lives so far this year.

Syria’s recovery remains a monumental task requiring coordinated national leadership and international backing.

UNHCR’s Support Inside Syria

To help families rebuild, UNHCR has dramatically scaled its in-country recovery efforts:

• 36,000 households supported with cash upon return

• Nearly 30,000 individuals transported from border crossing points

• 3,000 families received shelter repair assistance

• 84,000 families provided with essential goods and winter supplies

• Civil documentation support through community centres and mobile legal teams

• Protection programmes targeting women, children and vulnerable groups

• Rehabilitation of civil registries and cadastral offices to restore access to legal identity

• Vocational and small business support to revive local economies

These efforts aim to create conditions for sustainable, long-term reintegration.

A Critical Funding Gap Threatens Progress

UNHCR’s US$1.5 billion appeal for 2025 is only 33% funded. This shortfall puts millions at risk as winter approaches and jeopardizes ongoing reconstruction, protection services and humanitarian relief.

More than 4.5 million Syrians remain in neighbouring countries—most below the poverty line—still dependent on humanitarian assistance. Host countries, already under severe economic pressure, also require support to maintain stability and prevent unsafe or premature returns.

The Responsibility of a New Syria

While international support is crucial, UNHCR stresses that the Syrian Government bears the primary responsibility for creating the conditions needed for safe, voluntary returns. These include:

• Security and rule of law

• Fair access to services

• Protection of rights

• Safeguards against forced displacement

“In this new Syria, we must see only voluntary returns, not new displacements,” UNHCR emphasized.

The coming months will determine whether this historic window leads to true national recovery—or closes before Syrian families can rebuild the lives they fled.