A Historic Moment for Return

Over 1.1 million Syrians have gone home since December.

After 14 years of conflict, families are finally returning to Syria. UNHCR is on the ground supporting safe, dignified returns and helping communities recover. But urgent support is needed to restore homes, schools, and hope for millions.
Photo: ©UNHCR/Hameed Maarouf

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After years of displacement, families are coming home to communities in ruins and with limited resources.
Your gift today can provide the essentials they need to start again.

Shelter

to help families repair or rebuild homes so they can return safely

Cash Assistance

to help returning families cover essentials like food, medicine and school costs

Education

to keep children learning as families restart their lives in Syria

What’s happening in Syria?

Syria has entered a new and uncertain phase since the change of power on December 8, 2024. Humanitarian needs remain vast, with approximately 16.5 million people requiring assistance, and around 7.4 million still internally displaced. At the same time, returns are increasing—as of August 14, 2025, 779,473 Syrian refugees have returned from neighboring countries, and 1,694,418 internally displaced people (IDPs) have returned to their areas of origin inside Syria since December 2024. Communities receiving returnees face severe strains on housing, water, electricity, health care, and schooling, compounded by recent cross‑border movements from Lebanon.

Where is Syria?

Syria, known as the Syrian Arab Republic, is located in the Middle East, bordered by Türkiye, Iraq, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, and the Mediterranean Sea. Today, around 16.5 million people in Syria need humanitarian assistance, and about 7.4 million remain internally displaced by years of conflict and economic collapse.

Why can’t more people return home?

Many Syrians want to return, and an increasing number have already done so. However, safe, dignified and sustainable returns require the basics: habitable housing, functioning services such as water, electricity, healthcare and schools, livelihoods, freedom of movement, mine clearance, and solutions to housing, land and property (HLP) issues. UNHCR supports voluntary and informed returns and does not promote large-scale repatriation until conditions allow.

What is The Syrian Refugee Crisis?

The Syria emergency remains one of the world’s largest displacement crises. Millions are still displaced inside the country, while more than 6 million Syrians live as refugees abroad. With the evolving context, return intentions are rising, and verified returns have accelerated since December 2024—779,473 refugees have returned from the region, and 1.69 million IDPs have gone home inside Syria as of August 14, 2025. UNHCR supports voluntary, safe and dignified returns, while continuing lifesaving aid to those who remain displaced.

Where are most refugees currently living?

Neighboring countries continue to host the majority of Syrian refugees. As of September 2025 data, Türkiye hosts ~2.49 million registered Syrians, followed by Lebanon (~716,000), Jordan (~462,000), Iraq (~303,000) and Egypt (~125,000). Most live in urban or peri‑urban areas, often in deep poverty, while large‑scale returns from Türkiye and Jordan are ongoing.

Where is UNHCR on the ground?

We remain present across Syria and the region, tracking displacement, coordinating protection and delivering lifesaving assistance. As returns increase, UNHCR is facilitating safe and dignified movement and scaling up support for people going home. In 2025, 13,239 returnees were transported through Bab al-Hawa, Bab al-Salama and Joussieh. In one recent week alone, 2,370 households (15,358 people), most of them returnees, received full Core Relief Item kits. UNHCR and partners are also providing legal aid, psychosocial support and targeted GBV and child protection services, including responses in As-Sweida, while community centres in locations such as Aleppo continue to offer assistance and referrals.

Why do we need public support?

Inside Syria alone, UNHCR requires USD 575.4 million in 2025 to sustain operations, including support for families returning home and those who remain displaced. Funding shortfalls directly limit shelter repairs, essential services, protection monitoring and the lifesaving items that make safe and dignified returns possible. Your support helps families rebuild, access basic services and recover with dignity.

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