Since December’s overthrow of the long -time Syrian dictator Bashar Assad, one million Syrian refugees have returned from abroad, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said on Wednesday. He also called on greater support to return to their homeland for others, TASR reports according to AFP report.
- One million Syrian refugees returned to their homeland.
- Syrian returns are accompanied by challenges such as damaged infrastructure and services.
- Of the seven million displaced, most longs to return home.
- UNHCR emphasizes the need for investment for sustainable reintegration.
UNHCR: mass return of the population is a sign of great expectations of political change
“Only nine months after the fall of Bashar Assad’s government on December 8, 2024, one million Syrians returned to his country,” said UNHCR. The Office specified that another 1.8 million people returned to the original areas who were displaced within the country during the nearly 14 years of civil war.
UNHCR described a mass return as “a sign of great hope and great expectations of political change in the country by Syrians”. However, the Office warned that those who return are facing “immense challenges”.
Retriners face destroyed by home and infrastructure
“Destroyed homes and infrastructure, weakened basic services, lack of job opportunities and unstable security situation are a challenge for people’s commitment to return and restore their lives,” UNHCR said.
The UN Office added that more than seven million Syrians remained displaced within the country and more than 4.5 million is still abroad. “Over the past 14 years, they have survived a lot of suffering, and the most vulnerable of them still need protection and assistance,” said Filippo Grandi, a UN High Commissioner for refugees.
However, the financing necessary for reintegration is declining
UNHCR pointed out a recent survey showing that 80 percent of Syrian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt and Iraq wishes to return home. Up to 18 percent of them want to leave next year.
The Office stressed that the permanent return and reintegration could only be made thanks to more targeted investments. According to him, however, funding to address this crisis is “declines”.
UN Syria agencies reported that this year they received less than a quarter of the funds they need to provide assistance, recalls AFP.
