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 31 December, over 1.3 million Syrians have returned back home since December 2024, with more than 3.7 million registered Syrian refugees continuing to reside in host countries in the region.
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.
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.
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.
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.
UNHCR is engaging with thousands of refugees in neighboring countries, often with daily contact through helplines, surveys, focus group discussions, and other communications channels, listening to their concerns, providing up-to-date information, and understanding their perceptions and intentions around return.
This report is produced by OCHA Lebanon in collaboration with humanitarian partners and the Inter Sector Coordination Group. It covers the period from 6 – 12 December 2024.
