Over 125,000 Refugees Return to Syria Amid Dire Conditions

Over 125,000 Refugees Return to Syria Amid Dire Conditions

Urgent Call for Action

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has urged the international community to transition from “words to action” to provide critical support for Syria’s most vulnerable returnees. Many families, returning after years of displacement, are struggling with inadequate shelter and limited economic opportunities.

“In recent weeks, high-level discussions have focused on the need for ‘early recovery’ and ‘rebuilding,’” said Gonzalo Vargas Llosa, UNHCR’s Representative in Syria, following a recent UN Security Council meeting on Syria’s future. “However, unless these discussions result in concrete actions, many returnees will face lives of extreme hardship, with their new reality often involving sleeping under plastic sheeting.”

A Nation Devastated by 14 Years of War

Syria’s 14-year conflict officially came to an end on December 8 with a swift military takeover of Damascus by forces, among them Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS). As international aid teams begin to re-enter the country, the extent of destruction across cities and towns is becoming devastatingly apparent.

In addition to returning refugees, nearly 500,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) returned to northwest Syria by the end of 2024, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Preceding the fall of the Assad regime, estimates indicated 7.4 million people were internally displaced, with 2.3 million residing in camps. Overall, 16.7 million Syrians relied on humanitarian aid at the time.

As rebuilding discussions progress, foreign ministers from Italy, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States, along with the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, are set to meet in Rome to explore potential solutions.

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Shelter and Winterization: An Immediate Priority

The UN migration agency (IOM) has joined UNHCR in emphasizing the urgent needs of those displaced or returning to Syria, particularly as winter conditions worsen. The agency recently issued a $73.2 million appeal to aid over 1.1 million people in need over the next six months—more than doubling its previous appeal for $30 million in December 2024.

“This initiative aims to provide immediate relief to the most vulnerable communities, including displaced and returning families,” IOM stated. Funds will be allocated to supply critical relief items, cash assistance, shelter and protection aid, water, sanitation, hygiene, and health services. Early recovery programs will also support those in transit.

Since December 2024, IOM has delivered winter relief to 80,000 Syrians, water and sanitation services to 170,000, and financial assistance to 15,000 individuals.

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Struggles to Restore Basic Services

Restoring essential services like water and electricity remains a significant challenge across Syria due to persistent insecurity and widespread infrastructure damage, according to OCHA.

The Tishreen Dam in Aleppo remains non-operational, leaving over 410,000 residents in Menbij and Kobani without access to reliable water and electricity. Clashes in the area continue to compound the situation, causing further civilian casualties and hampering aid efforts.

Healthcare Challenges and Rising Health Risks

The humanitarian health response in Syria is underway, with the delivery of medicine, trauma kits, and vaccines. However, urgent needs remain unmet. Health experts report rising cases of influenza-like illnesses across the country, while recently released detainees face severe risks of pneumonia, tuberculosis, and malnutrition due to prolonged poor health conditions during captivity.

In northwest Syria, many health and nutrition facilities have closed—some due to shelling, others because of insufficient funding. Meanwhile, mobile medical units operating in the northeast are struggling with staffing shortages, a lack of pharmaceuticals, and insufficient medical supplies.

The scale of need highlights the necessity for bolstered international support to help Syria stabilize and provide its citizens with access to basic services and security.

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The crisis in Syria continues to call for immediate global attention. Without significant and coordinated efforts to address the pressing needs of displaced and returning populations, recovery remains a distant prospect for millions of Syrians.