Up to one million Syrians plan to return home in desperation – UNHCR

AMMAN — Nearly one million displaced Syrians across the country’s north-west plan to return home in 2025, UNHCR spokesperson Celine Schmitt said on Friday.

Speaking at the UN's weekly press briefing in Geneva, Schmitt shared details from a survey on displacement in northwest Syria, noting that about one million people currently living in camps and other displacement sites in northwest Syria are expected to return home in 2025.

Schmitt added that 600,000 of these displaced people are expected to return within the next six months, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported citing Anadolu Agency.

Meanwhile, a new report released by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) revealed that around 750,000 internally displaced Syrians have already returned to their places of origin in Syria since November 2024, while some 7 million remain displaced inside the country.

The report also highlighted a notable decline in internal displacement following the collapse of the Bashar Al Assad regime in December 2024, and pointed to an increasing number of Syrians returning from abroad to their homeland since then.

UNHCR and partners are providing transport, legal assistance and support in repairing damaged homes as well as mattresses, blankets and winter clothing for the tough months ahead.

“Nearly 14 years after the crisis began, Syria is at a crossroads, urgently needing support for rebuilding as years of conflict have devastated the economy and infrastructure, leaving 90 per cent of the population reliant on aid,” Schmitt said. 

“There is now hope and a historic opportunity. UNHCR calls on the international community to make a firm commitment to support Syrians with essential aid for returnees and by investing in early recovery.”