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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yemen remains one of the world’s most acute and complex humanitarian crises. In 2025, protracted conflict, economic decline, and extreme weather driven by climate change have left more than 19.5 million people in need of humanitarian assistance.
As of 15 May 2025, UNHCR estimates that over half a million – 501,126 – Syrians have crossed back to Syria via neighboring countries since 8 December 2024. This brings up the total of 861,966 Syrian individuals that have returned to Syria since the beginning of 2024.
As of 8 May 2025, UNHCR estimates that some 481,730 Syrians have crossed back to Syria via neighboring countries since 8 December 2024. This brings up the total of over 842,570 Syrian individuals that have returned to Syria since the beginning of 2024.
Since the fall of the former government on 8 December 2024 until the end of March 2025, some 372,000 Syrian refugees had returned to the country, while other refugees continue to express their intention to return home.
As of 3 April 2025, UNHCR estimates that some 372,550 Syrians have crossed back to Syria via neighboring countries since 8 December 2024. This figure is calculated based on a triangulation of data from Syria, Türkiye, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt and beyond.
