The United Nations (UN) announced on Wednesday that one million Syrian refugees have returned from abroad since the fall of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad last December. The UN refugee agency is urging more support to allow others to follow.
“In just nine months, one million Syrians have returned to their country following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad government on 8 December, 2024,” stated the UN refugee agency (UNHCR). Additionally, the agency reported that 1.8 million people displaced within Syria during the nearly 14 years of civil war have also returned to their areas of origin.
Hope Amidst Immense Challenges
While the UN described these mass returns as a sign of hope and high expectations among Syrians, it also warned of the immense challenges that returning individuals face. “Destroyed homes and infrastructure, weak and damaged basic services, a lack of job opportunities, and volatile security are challenging people’s determination to return and recover,” the agency noted.
Currently, more than seven million Syrians remain displaced within the country, and over 4.5 million Syrian refugees still reside abroad. Filippo Grandi, the UNHCR chief, emphasized the ongoing suffering of these individuals, stating, “They have endured a lot of suffering in the past 14 years, and the most vulnerable among them still need protection and assistance.”
Desire to Return
A recent UNHCR survey revealed that 80% of Syrian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, and Iraq wish to return home one day. Among them, 18% expressed a desire to return within the next year. However, the UN stressed that sustained return and reintegration can only occur with targeted investments in the areas of return.
“This is a rare opportunity to resolve one of the largest displacement crises in the world,” Grandi asserted. Yet, he lamented that funding to address the crisis is dwindling. Inside Syria, UN agencies reported receiving less than a quarter of the necessary aid funding this year, while only securing 30% of the funding needed for the broader Syria situation.
The UNHCR urged the international community, private sector, and Syrian diaspora to intensify efforts to support recovery. They emphasized the need for sustainable and dignified returns, ensuring that returning individuals are not forced to flee again. The situation remains critical, and the need for increased humanitarian support is more pressing than ever.
