Attachments
OVERVIEW
Following the rapid power shift in Damascus on 8 December 2024, Syria is undergoing a pivotal transformation, reshaping its humanitarian, political, and recovery landscape. This change has intensified population movements, exacerbating the complexities of displacement and return patterns.
As of February 2025, IOM's Displacement Tracking Matrix baseline assessment marks the first in a series aimed at monitoring population movements within Syria. As a sub-component of mobility tracking, the baseline assessment provides critical data on internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees within Syria, and arrivals from abroad, whether to their place of origin or a different location. With a resident population of 17.4 million across Syria’s 14 governorates, displacement and return trends continue to shape the country’s demographic landscape. IDPs remain a significant group, navigating precarious living conditions in both residential and camp settings. Meanwhile, returnees within Syria are experiencing varying shelter conditions, with some homes and dwellings completely destroyed, others partially damaged, and many in need of repairs, reflecting both reconstruction efforts and ongoing challenges.
Additionally, Syrians arriving from abroad—whether returning to their original homes or relocating to new areas—contribute to the evolving population dynamics. This assessment provides a comprehensive overview of mobility trends, offering essential insights to support humanitarian response, infrastructure planning, and long-term reintegration efforts in Syria.