Attachments
The context: returns and recovery
As Syria enters its fourteenth year of humanitarian crisis in 2025, it remains the largest in the world, affecting millions of lives. More than 13 million Syrians had been forced to flee their homes over the past fourteen years, and 90 percent of people inside Syria – nearly 16.7 million people – require some form of humanitarian assistance.
Almost one-third of all housing units were destroyed or damaged during the conflict.
As of May 15, 2025, UNHCR and OCHA estimate that over 1.2 million IDPs have returned to their areas of origin. Departures from camps are ongoing, with around 333,000 people leaving camps in northwest Syria since December.
According to the UNHCR, REACH and CCCM intention survey in Northern Syria:
- 46% of people internally displaced in Northern Syria plan to return to their area of origin, 92% planning within 12 months.
- Lack of adequate housing and/or concern over property housing (i.e., destroyed, damaged, inaccessible, occupied, etc.) is one of the main barriers for 76% of IDPs.
- Rehabilitation/reconstruction of homes is one of the top 5 essential conditions for return for 79% of IDPs.
Based on the current numbers of Syrians returning home and explicit requests from refugees and IDPs to be supported in their return, the Shelter Cluster is supporting safe and dignified return through housing rehabilitation programmes.