The next day remains a blur to her. At the same time, the future remains unknown for millions of Syrian refugees. Many thought that those who left for a better future would return. However, this does not happen overnight.
Since 2011, more than 14 million Syrians have been forced to flee their homes in search of safety. Of these, approximately half remain internally displaced within their own country. According to , 70% of the population is in need of and 90% lives below the poverty line.
At the same time, around 5.5 million Syrian refugees live in Syria’s five neighboring countries – Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt. Germany is the largest non-neighboring host country with more than 850,000 Syrian refugees.
When did the refugee crisis begin?
The Syrian refugee crisis began in March 2011 as a result of the government’s violent crackdown on public protests in favor of teenagers arrested for anti-government graffiti in the southern city of Daraa. The arrests sparked public protests across Syria, which were violently suppressed by government security forces.
The conflict quickly escalated and the country descended into civil war that forced millions of families to flee their homes. Thirteen years later, the conflict continues with Syrians continuing to pay the price – more than 16.7 million people in Syria are in need of humanitarian assistance, representing 70% of the population.
Where are the Syrian refugees?
Syrian refugees have sought asylum in more than 130 countries, but the vast majority live in neighboring countries in the region, such as Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt. The Republic of Turkey alone hosts the largest population of Syrian refugees: 3.3 million.
About 92% of refugees who have taken refuge in neighboring countries live in rural and urban areas, while only about 5% live in refugee camps. However, living outside refugee camps does not necessarily mean success or stability. More than 70 percent of Syrian refugees live in poverty and have limited access to basic services, education or employment opportunities and few prospects of returning home.
Which countries have accepted the most refugees?
According to UNHCR data, the following countries have received the most refugees from Syria during the ousted regime of Bashar al-Assad.
- Turkey – 3.1 million
- Lebanon – 774,000
- Germany – 717,000
- Jordan – 628,000
- Iraq – 286,000
- Egypt – 156,500
- Austria – 98,000
- Sweden – 87,000
- Netherlands – 65,500
- Greece – 51,000
What are the main problems facing Syrians inside and outside the borders?
Prolonged displacement, , global inflation and the earthquakes that hit southeastern Turkey and northern Syria are some of the biggest challenges facing Syrians today.
Poverty and unemployment are widespread in Syria, with over 90% of the Syrian population living below the poverty line. By October 2023, food costs had doubled from January and quadrupled over the past two years. An estimated 12.9 million people are food insecure as a result of the economic crisis.
The situation for Syrian refugees living in neighboring host countries has also worsened. Economic challenges in neighboring countries such as Lebanon have pushed Syrians in that country into poverty. More than 90% of Syrian refugees depend on humanitarian aid to survive. In Jordan, over 93% of Syrian households reported being in debt to cover basic needs. 90 percent of Syrian refugees living in Turkey cannot fully cover their monthly expenses or basic needs.
Millions of refugees have lost their livelihoods and are increasingly unable to meet their basic needs. Including access to clean water, electricity, food, medicine and paying rent. The economic downturn has also exposed them to multiple risks, child labour, gender-based violence, early marriage and other forms of exploitation being some of them.
How feasible is the return of refugees?
Is it easy for displaced people to return to their homes? Given that many of them have been destroyed, it is extremely difficult. But this is not the only problem they will face if they make their way back.
The low standard of living that Syria currently offers, the huge shortages even in things that the rest of the world takes for granted, make the decision to return even more difficult.
This is where help from the rest of the world will have to come. Syria’s needs are enormous and much needs to be done before the country can become a safe place that can attract migrants again.
