Close to 200,000 Syrian Refugees Have Returned Since December, Reports UN
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Synopsis
The UN reports that nearly 200,000 Syrian refugees have returned to Syria since December 2023. Filippo Grandi, the UNHCR High Commissioner, highlighted plans for future support initiatives while noting the mixed sentiments among refugees regarding their return.
Key Takeaways
- Nearly 200,000 refugees returned since December.
- Plans for enhancing UNHCR support in Syria.
- Over 550,000 expected returns in 2024.
- Financial aid is essential for many refugees.
- Potential 1 million returns projected for early 2025.
Damascus, Jan 19 (NationPress) Nearly 200,000 Syrian refugees have made their way back to their homeland since December of the previous year, according to Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
As of January 16, approximately 195,200 Syrians have returned home following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's administration on December 8, 2024, as reported by Grandi through a post on the social media platform X on Saturday.
Grandi also shared intentions to visit Syria and neighboring nations soon to enhance the support provided by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for returnees and host communities, though the exact timeline has not yet been disclosed, as per reports from Xinhua news agency.
Additionally, according to the announcement, the UNHCR anticipates that over 550,000 Syrians will have returned to their homeland in 2024, with the northern Aleppo governorate receiving the largest influx—around 23 percent of the returnees.
While a significant number of Syrian refugees express a desire to return, a recent report from the UNHCR highlighted mixed reactions, indicating that some refugees remain cautious. Many have stressed the necessity for financial and logistical support to facilitate their return and the rebuilding of their lives and homes in Syria.
In response, the UNHCR and its partner organizations are implementing an inter-agency plan aimed at easing the return of refugees, as noted in the report. The agency has also emphasized the critical need for continued funding and protection initiatives for both refugees and host communities.
Earlier, on December 17, Rema Jamous Imseis, the UNHCR Director for the Middle East and North Africa, indicated that approximately 1 million Syrian refugees could return to their homeland between January and June 2025.
“We project that we expect to see around one million Syrians returning between January and June of next year,” Imseis stated during a press conference held in Geneva.
She described the recent developments as instilling “a tremendous amount of hope” for addressing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria. Nevertheless, she cautioned that a change in regime does not automatically signify the conclusion of the ongoing crisis, underscoring the significant challenges that lie ahead.
