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.
The fall of the Assad government on 8 December 2024 marked a significant turning point in Syria’s political and humanitarian trajectory. This turn of events presents an opportunity to end one of the largest displacement crises in the world including for millions of internally displaced Syrians.
This brief draws on the June 2025 wave of the enhanced Refugee Perceptions and Intentions to Return to Syria Survey (eRPIS), conducted by phone with 6,316 Syrian refugees in Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt between 25 May and 5 July 2025, representing ~782,000 Syrian refugee households.
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.
In recent years, the Access Center for Human Rights (ACHR) has documented a rise in the number of forced returns of Syrian refugees to Syria. Refugees are often deported from host countries without prior warning, legal procedures, or an opportunity to legally challenge the decision.
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.
This map is prepared using data from population movement reporting and border monitoring tool. It also includes the movements of Syrians who returned from Lebanon to Syria under duress following the escalation of hostilities on 23 September 2024, primarily through the border crossing points of Jdaidat Yabous, Al-Dabousiah, and Jousieh.
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.
As of February 13th, UNHCR estimates that approximately 279,620 Syrians have returned to Syria since December 8th, 2024. The figures derive from the triangulation of sources both inside and outside Syria, including UNHCR offices and Government sources in Türkiye, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt.
Wrapping up a visit to Syria on Monday, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, appealed to the international community for bold and decisive action to help Syrians rebuild their war-torn country and support displaced Syrians in returning home.
From 08 and 09 December, the ETC paused all activities to concentrate on staff safety, relocation, and business continuity―following the collapse of President Bashar al-Assad’s administration, on 08 December, which escalated the security situation across Syria.
Lebanon stands at a crossroads. The cessation of hostilities has allowed nearly 829,000 displaced people to return to their cadasters of origin as of 18 December, but for many, the journey back does not meet the minimum requirements for a secure and sustainable return.
