Key Highlights
- As of 15 January, UNHCR estimates that more than 195,000 Syrians have crossed back into Syria since 8 December 2024.
- Syrian refugees in host countries continue to indicate their interest to return in interactions with UNHCR, while other express caution. Some refugees are explicitly requesting financial and other support to be able to return and re-build their lives and homes inside Syria. In Jordan, UNHCR will shortly begin a pilot transportation project from Jordan to Syria, combined with counselling, assessment of the voluntary character of return and other safeguards.
- Inter-agency planning for refugee return is moving at pace, through working groups under the UNHCR and UNDP-led Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan (3RP) coordination system, with partner UN agencies and NGOs. Such planning is grounded in protection principles and refugees’ choices, including that any refugee return to Syria should be voluntary, in safety and dignity. In parallel, protection space and funding for refugee and host community programmes in host countries should be maintained.