Attachments
The UN estimates that in 2025 around 16.5 million people across Syria need humanitarian assistance.
Since the fall of the former government on 8 December 2024 until the end of May 2025, over half a million Syrian refugees had returned to the country, while other refugees continue to express their intention to return home.
Over 1.2 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) have also returned to their places of origin since the end of November 2024.
Based on actual and projected returns and triggered by calls on UNHCR from Syrian refugees to support them to return, UNHCR has moved into the facilitation of voluntary returns to Syria.
This will be gradual and based on voluntary character of return and refugees’ well-informed and free choices.
UNHCR continues to provide protection and assistance to refugees, asylum-seekers, IDPs, stateless people, returnees, and host communities based on identified needs, vulnerabilities and available resources.
Operational Context
Syria has one of the largest numbers of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the world (7.4 million IDPs). The UN and humanitarian partners also estimate that in 2025 over 16.5 million people in Syria need humanitarian assistance.
The security situation in the country remains unpredictable in some areas, and the humanitarian and economic conditions are dire, with limited access to basic services.
Through the area-based and community-based approaches, UNHCR supports refugees, asylumseekers, IDPs, host community members, and returnees (refugees and IDPs who have returned to their home areas). UNHCR’s community-based approach focuses on community mobilization and building self-reliance. It aims at reducing vulnerabilities and protection risks by providing services through community-based structures and networks.
UNHCR’s area-based approach entails working with partners to enhance support in geographic areas where the needs are greatest. UNHCR and partners continue to reach thousands of returnee families across Syria to support their reintegration and access to basic services.
In 2025, UNHCR is collaborating with 24 partners, including international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) and national NGOs in all 14 governorates.