UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih said that since December 2024, more than three million Syrian refugees and internally displaced people have returned to their places of residence. According to him, this demonstrates Syrians’ determination to restore and rebuild their country. Following a week-long visit to Syria, he urged the international community to significantly increase its support for the country’s recovery and stabilization.
Salih stressed that Syria is undergoing a historic turning point and that recovery on such a scale is impossible without international assistance. He called on governments, financial institutions and development partners to quickly turn the return of the population into practical support—helping restore livelihoods, infrastructure and basic services while continuing to provide humanitarian assistance.
During his trip, the commissioner visited Damascus, Idlib and Aleppo, where he met with government representatives, returnees, displaced families and local communities. In Damascus, he also held talks with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and other officials. UNHCR said the visit reflected its readiness to support Syria in moving from years of displacement toward recovery, the return of its people and stability. During the Syrian conflict from 2011 to 2024, millions of citizens were forced to leave their homes, with many ending up in camps in the north of the country under harsh conditions.
Full version: 3 million displaced Syrians and refugees have returned to their areas