The Syria situation remains one of the largest displacement crises globally, with more than 12 million Syrians forcibly displaced, including approximately six million Syrian refugees hosted in neighbouring countries. Following the change of regime in Syria in early December 2024, refugees in neighbouring countries have expressed elation and hope about the prospect of returning to their homes, together with caution. UNHCR prepares for the projected return of up to 1.5 million Syrian refugees in 2025. UNHCR collaborates with various partners including development partners to repair damaged housing and basic services infrastructures, ensuring communities are ready to receive returnees. UNHCR also provides critical support including legal aid, protection interventions, housing, and livelihood support to returnees, helping them rebuild their lives in their home country in a sustainable and secure setting. UNHCR also collaborates with a wide network of local NGO partners alongside local authorities across all governorates to provide protection, humanitarian aid, and early recovery support to vulnerable Syrians. This extensive support network serves as a lifeline for the displaced people in Syria, as well as for refugee and returnees, regardless of their area of return. Furthermore, through its community centres, network of outreach volunteers and protection monitoring, UNHCR continuously gathers crucial information on the protection situation and needs of refugee and IDP returnees, as well as vulnerable community members.

As of today, more than 400,000 Syrians have returned home voluntarily from the region since the change in power on 8th December.

The scenes witnessed daily by UNHCR at the border continue to be deeply moving and inspiring.

With even a modest increase in the support we can… pic.twitter.com/rr1lxFwNbz

— Gonzalo Vargas Llosa (@llosa_gonzalo) April 11, 2025