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More than 3 million displaced Syrians have returned to their homes inside and outside the country following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime one year ago, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
The UNHCR released a statement on Monday marking the first anniversary of the Assad regime's collapse on Dec. 8, 2024, noting the historic return of Syrian refugees and internally displaced persons.
"The fall of the Assad regime has opened an extraordinary window of hope for peace and stability in Syria. A year on, displaced Syrians are returning to their homes, over 3 million to date, but much more international support is required if the trend is to prove lasting," UNHCR noted.
"According to UNHCR, the U.N. Refugee Agency, more than 1.2 million Syrians have voluntarily returned from neighbouring countries since December 2024, alongside over 1.9 million internally displaced people (IDPs) who have gone back to their areas of origin. Many more have expressed a desire to return," UNHCR stated.
"A year after Assad regime fell, over 3 million displaced Syrians have returned home. This includes more than 1.2 million refugees alongside over 1.9 million internally displaced people (IDPs). This marks a critical step in Syria's healing process," UNHCR Representative in Syria Gonzalo Vargas Llosa stated on X.
"Forced displacement was among the deep wounds inflicted by the conflict, and return is critical to end years of suffering and ensure stabilization. But greater international support is urgently needed to address the urgent material challenges, maintain the trend and ensure stability," Llosa added.
Since the Assad regime's fall, substantial numbers of Syrians have returned from neighboring countries. Since Dec. 8, 2024, more than 1.2 million Syrians have voluntarily returned from neighboring countries, while more than 1.9 million internally displaced persons have also returned to their home communities.
Jordan has experienced significant return flows, with at least 170,000 Syrians returning from Jordan to Syria since December 8, 2024. In Lebanon, approximately 379,000 Syrians had their refugee assistance discontinued as of the end of November based on confirmed or presumed returns.
In Egypt, approximately 28 Syrian refugee cases have been closed since Dec. 8, 2024.
Türkiye has witnessed substantial returns, with approximately 560,000 Syrians voluntarily returning over the past year. UNHCR tracked approximately 420,000 of these returns in coordination with authorities.
Despite the historic return of refugees, significant challenges remain. Destruction is widespread across Syria, and many basic services, such as water and electricity, remain daily challenges for returnees.
"Destruction is widespread, and many basic services, such as water and electricity, remain a daily challenge. Throughout the country, housing, water systems, electricity, schools and health facilities are damaged or overstretched, and many returnees arrive to homes that are uninhabitable or neighborhoods where basic services barely function," UNHCR reported.
The agency emphasized that the return of displaced persons represents both opportunities and urgent challenges. "The historic return of displaced Syrians brings both opportunities and urgent challenges," UNHCR stated.
UNHCR stressed that all returns must be safe and voluntary, with refugees maintaining the fundamental right to choose when to return to their country of origin.
"UNHCR stresses that refugees should not be forced to return. The security situation inside Syria remains fluid in certain areas, and Syrian refugees are closely monitoring how conditions on the ground evolve. There are still immense challenges in a country shattered by 14 years of war," the agency stated.
"Entire neighbourhoods remain in ruins, including schools, hospitals and water systems. Electricity, clean water and health care remain patchy. Livelihood opportunities are limited and local markets are short of supplies. Many returnees lack civil documents, hindering access to property rights and essential services," UNHCR noted.
"Unexploded ordnance continues to threaten lives; 577 people have lost their lives since the beginning of the year," UNHCR added.
"UNHCR is working to improve conditions for returnees. Since the beginning of the year, over 36,000 households have been supported with cash upon their return to Syria, and almost 30,000 individuals have received transport from the border to their destinations," the agency said, adding that teams are rehabilitating damaged homes and providing relief items.
"So far, almost 3,000 families have been supported with shelter repairs; 84,000 families have received essentials such as blankets, mattresses and winter clothing; and almost 30,000 families have received winter assistance," UNHCR noted.
"Despite these efforts, UNHCR's $1.5 billion 2025 appeal for the Syria situation is only 33% funded, leaving millions without adequate shelter, basic services and support for the looming winter," the agency stated, noting that approximately 4.5 million Syrian refugees remain in neighbouring countries, most living below the poverty line.
"They need continued support, as do the countries hosting them. Increased funding is urgently needed to scale up recovery and reconstruction, expand training and ensure continued protection and humanitarian aid, while supporting host countries still sheltering millions of Syrians," the agency concluded.
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