This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Rema Jamous Imseis – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today’s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
A family of Syrian refugees returns to northern Syria from Türkiye via the Bab al-Hawa border crossing. © UNHCR/Hameed Marouf
While recent developments bring hope and a chance for peace and stability, they also underscore the immense challenges facing displaced Syrians inside the country and refugees abroad.
The situation in Syria is fluid and far from stable. In the past three weeks, we have seen more than 1 million people forced to flee their homes, thousands of Syrian refugees returning, and thousands of Syrians fleeing the country.
Syrian refugees have spontaneously returned to Syria from Türkiye and Lebanon, and a smaller number from Jordan.
Over 7 million people were already internally displaced inside the country while more than 90 per cent of the population needs humanitarian support to survive.
We are trying to monitor all of this and to respond where we can, despite a fragile security situation.
While UNHCR hopes recent developments will eventually bring an end to the largest displacement crisis in the world, the change in regime does not mean this humanitarian crisis has ended.
Syrians inside and outside the country still need protection and support.
UNHCR released an updated position on returns to Syria yesterday, which calls on States not to forcibly return anyone to any part of Syria and to guarantee the right of civilians fleeing Syrian to access asylum. While protection risks related to persecution by the former Government have receded, other risks for particularly vulnerable groups may persist or emerge.
Given the ongoing uncertainty in Syria, we call on States to be patient and to avoid making any rash assessments or drastic decisions until there is more clarity. It is important to maintain protection for those who have already found refuge in host countries and that they are not forced to return to Syria. Any refugee returns must be voluntary, safe and dignified.
We must not forget that the last 14 years have created a humanitarian catastrophe on so many levels in Syria, including the destruction of large parts of the country, homes and infrastructure.
UNHCR and its partners are on the ground in Syria, rapidly resuming assistance and support programmes where security has improved. Over 80 per cent of our community centres across the country are functioning again after a brief pause.
We have also made significant strides in resuming operations over the past week in areas where the security situation has started to stabilize, such as in Aleppo, Damascus, Homs and Hama. Through our partner the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC), we are also reestablishing a presence at border crossing points. This allows for regular monitoring of inbound and outbound movements, and allows us to engage with returning Syrians, providing them with information on available humanitarian assistance and support in their areas of intended return, including UNHCR-funded community centres.
As well as a peaceful transition of power, we need a firm commitment from the international community to support Syrians with dire humanitarian needs and to invest in reconstruction and recovery initiatives and livelihood opportunities that will empower Syrians to become self-sufficient and less reliant on aid – something we know they are desperate for.
On Tuesday, UNHCR urgently appealed for $310 million to support displaced Syrians, including internally displaced people and refugees returning home, between January and June 2025.
We are operating in a very dynamic situation, but we are adapting and being agile given our new operational reality and we hope that our donors can respond with the same flexibility. Resources need to be provided as flexibly as possible to allow assistance to be given where it is most needed.
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