In 2025, the MENA region faced overlapping crises including conflict, displacement, economic collapse, disease outbreaks, and climate shocks, placing children at risk and disrupting access to services.
The February 2026 airstrikes on Iran triggered a rapid escalation of risks across the region, intensifying gender-based violence (GBV) exposure in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, while further degrading already fragile protection systems and service delivery structures.
As of early 2026, 16.5 million require assistance, while over 1.4 million refugees and 1.7 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) have returned since December 2024.
Health care in the Middle East and wider region has come under attack about once every six hours on average since conflict escalated a month ago across Lebanon, Iran, and Israel, Save the Children said.
As of 5 February, UNHCR estimates that 1,413,967 individuals have returned to Syria since 8 December 2024 while 1,712,744 internally displaced persons have returned home.
Middle East and North Africa offers a comprehensive, evidence-based analysis of one of the world’s most complex and dynamic mobility landscapes where labour migration, protracted displacement, environmental stressors and socioeconomic transitions converge.
After more than a decade of conflict, Yemen remains one of the world’s most complex and protracted humanitarian crises. The country continues to face the compounded impacts of conflict, climate change, economic collapse, and the near-total breakdown of public services and institutions.
As of 27 November, 1,260,240 individuals have returned to Syria since 8 December while 1,950,090 internally displaced persons have returned to their areas of origin/selected destination in the same period.
As of 20 November, UNHCR estimates that 1,246,037 individuals have returned to Syria from other countries since 8 December 2024. As of 13 November, 1,944,762 internally displaced persons (IDPs) are estimated to have returned to their areas of origin, of whom 1,062,229 departed from IDP sites in northwest and northeast Syria.
As of 6 November, 1,208,802 Syrian individuals have crossed back to Syria from other countries since 8 December 2024. Most returnees are coming from Türkiye, followed by Lebanon and Jordan, with smaller numbers from Iraq, Egypt and beyond the region.
This study examines gendered experiences of arbitrary detention in Al-Hol and interrogates core assumptions of women’s alleged links or family ties to ISIL/Da’esh.
As of 16 October, and since 8 December 2024, a total of 1,099,768 Syrian individuals have returned to Syria from other countries, while 1,880,432 internally displaced persons (IDPs) have returned to areas of origin or selected locations in the country.
Since 8 December 2024, a total of 1,099,768 individuals have returned to Syria from other countries while 1,880,432 internally displaced persons (IDPs) have returned to areas of origin or selected locations.
One million Syrians – 1,027,887 – have now returned home from neighbouring countries since the 8 December 2024. A milestone of hope – yet millions remain displaced and urgent support is needed to make returns sustainable.
Despite urgent needs, 62 per cent of UNICEF’s response remains unfunded. Without timely support, the most vulnerable children risk missing access to critical, lifesaving services.
During the reporting period, the security in Syria has deteriorated. As of mid-July 2025, As-Sweida has experienced a sharp escalation in sectarian violence; and IDF has launched several airstrikes, not only in the southern governorates, but also at the Syrian Defense Ministry and near the presidential palace in Damascus.
