Syrian Arab Republic: IDP Spontaneous Returns (February 2023) [EN/AR/TR]

February 2023 Updates

In February 2023 the humanitarian community recorded some 18,100 spontaneous IDP return movements across Syria, which was 64 percent higher than the return movements that were tracked in January. Over 17,400 of these movements (96 per cent) occurred in northwest Syria in the earthquake affected areas, within Idleb and Aleppo governorates.

At the sub-district level, Ariha sub-district received around 3,100 returns, the highest number of spontaneous return movements in February, while Ehsem received around 2,400 returns. And in Aleppo governorate, Jandairis sub-district received 2,800 return movements.

At the community level, in Idleb governorate, Ariha community received the highest number of return movements with around 1,700 movements followed by Mhambal community which received 1,200 return movements. In Aleppo governorate, Al Bab community received 1,500 return movements.

Notes:

• The returns refer to IDP spontaneous returns and do not necessarily follow the global definitions of ‘Returnees’ or durable solutions for IDPs.

• The IDP spontaneous returns include IDPs returning to their homes or communities of origin.

• The IDP spontaneous returns term used in this monthly report refers to the return movements occurred in the reported period only.

• The process of verification is based on triangulation of verified IDP spontaneous returns reported by different mechanisms and further examined by the IDP TF through cross-checking population numbers from previous years.