Syria Displacement Crisis

Zahida and her children fled their family home in Syria when their street came under attack.

Their neighbourhood was destroyed and they fled to a refugee camp across the border in Jordan. Zahida is now focused on survival and giving her children a future.
Photo: ©UNHCR/Houssam Hariri

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Families like Zahida’s are trapped in extreme poverty, exhausted and traumatised by fourteen long years of conflict.
Please help deliver relief to support them.

Shelter

to help protect families fleeing bombs and bullets

Cash Assistance

to help families cover basic survival costs like rent and medicine

Education

to keep children in school

What’s happening in Syria?

Syrians have endured conflict for nearly 14 years. An escalation in hostiles in Northwest Syria starting in late November 2024 have resulted in tragic civilian casualties, including women and children, widespread damage to infrastructure, and the suspension of vital services.

Tens of thousands of people have been displaced within Aleppo and to other parts of Syria. Essential services have been suspended including hospitals, water station and schools. In Aleppo, residents are facing shortages of bread, essential items, and fuel.

Syria remains one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, with an estimated 90 per cent of the population living in poverty. Prior to the recent escalation, 7.2 million people had already been displaced due to conflict. This comes on top of the recent influx of over half a million people—both Lebanese and Syrians—who fled Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon. Sixty percent of them are Syrians, arriving with minimal resources and in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, alongside the communities hosting them.

UNHCR is leading a coordinated effort across the region to protect Syrians who have been forced to flee. This includes emergency relief and shelter for those escaping escalations in the conflict, and ongoing care such as education and healthcare.

Why can’t more people return home?

With the war ongoing and bombs still falling, it’s very dangerous for families in Syria. Millions have lost their homes, communities and loved ones, so are often unwilling—or unable—to risk the journey back. In some areas, conflict has abated, but returns are not yet possible as buildings and utilities have been completely destroyed, and threats such as mines need to be cleared.

Where is Syria?

Syria, known as the Syrian Arab Republic, is a Middle Eastern nation bordered by Türkiye, Iraq, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea. The country has been embroiled in a severe crisis for nearly 14 years, resulting in the displacement of 7.2 million people within Syria and 16.7 million people in need of humanitarian assistance and protection. Economic instability, high inflation and recent earthquakes have worsened the situation. UNHCR, in collaboration with various partners, provides vital support to those displaced, refugees and host communities across Syria.

What is The Syrian Refugee Crisis?

The Syrian refugee crisis is a result of over almost 14 years of conflict in Syria, leading to one of the largest displacements of people in recent history. Over 7.2 million Syrians are displaced within their country, while 6.2 million more have sought refuge abroad. The situation is worsened by economic instability, inflation and recent natural disasters like earthquakes. UNHCR, along with its partners, provides critical aid and support to refugees and displaced persons, working across all regions of Syria to promote self-reliance and long-term solutions.

Where are most refugees currently living?

Turkey hosts the largest number of registered Syrian refugees—currently 3.6 million people. Neighbouring countries like Lebanon and Jordan have also seen a vast influx, as well as Egypt. Most displaced Syrian families are scattered across urban areas, struggling to survive. Many others have now been living in formal refugee camps for several years.

For Syrian refugees living in Lebanon, the escalation in hostilities there has uprooted their lives once again. Prior to September 23rd 2024, Lebanon hosted an estimated 1.5 million Syrian refugees. Since September 23rd, an estimated 550,000 people have crossed into Syria from Lebanon, fleeing the violence. Among those fleeing, approximately 70 per cent of the displaced are Syrians and 30 per cent are Lebanese.People are still on the move. UNHCR is delivering vital protection services, cash assistance, safe shelter, and other essential support to people displaced by the conflict.

Where is UNHCR on the ground?

We are working inside Syria and in neighbouring countries across the region—delivering life-saving humanitarian aid to displaced families and supporting the efforts of host countries.

We provide life-saving humanitarian aid for Syrian refugees, helping the most vulnerable with cash for medicine and food, stoves and fuel for heating, insulation for tents, thermal blankets and winter clothing. For those who have been displaced but remain in Syria, we provide shelter kits and non-food items as well as protection services and psychosocial support.

In response to the recent escalation in hostilities in Northwest Syria, UNHCR is assessing needs and providing essential support in hosting centres, including non-food items such as blankets, sleeping mats, solar lamps, kitchen sets, plastic sheeting, jerry cans, and winter clothing. Dignity kits containing hygiene and personal care items such as sanitary napkins, underwear and soap are also being distributed. UNHCR is also providing in-kind medical assistance where needed such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, walking canes, and eyeglasses.

Through its community centres and mobile teams, UNHCR is also providing vital protection services such as legal assistance, psychosocial support, and specialized services for gender-based violence (GBV) and child protection, delivered through local partners.

Why do we need public support?

After years of conflict, many Syrians have long exhausted any precious savings they were able to take with them when fleeing. They are now trapped in extreme poverty. With more than 13.4 million Syrians displaced, public support has never been more vital. Every donation helps a Syrian refugee survive, recover and take steps to rebuild their lives until they can return home safely.

Where can I access the latest data and reports?

Syrian Operations—for latest on UNHCR’s relief work to protect displaced people inside Syria.

Syria Situation Portal—for latest updates on the crisis overall, including UNHCR situation reports, funding requirements and UNHCR’s support for neighbouring countries taking in refugees from Syrian refugees.

Did you know 1 in 3 Syrian children have lived their whole lives amidst the crisis?