UNHCR: Historic return of displaced Syrians presents opportunity and urgent challenges
Explainer
UNHCR: Historic return of displaced Syrians presents opportunity and urgent challenges
Ahmed and his family arrive at the Jdaidet Yabous border crossing on 29 July after returning from Lebanon to Syria en route to their former home in Idleb.
© UNHCR/Vivian Tou'meh
UNHCR helps to save lives and build better futures for the millions of people forced to flee their homes.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency works to ensure that everybody has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge, having fled violence, persecution or war at home.
Since 1950, we have faced multiple crises on multiple continents, and provided vital protection and assistance to refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced and stateless people, many of whom have nobody left to turn to.
We help to save lives and build better futures for millions forced from home.
123.2 million people worldwide are forcibly displaced.
Most refugees – 73 per cent – are hosted by low- and middle-income countries.
Today, in cooperation with the Syrian government, a second UN‑coordinated convoy of 24 trucks departed Aleppo for Ayn Al‑Arab (Kobani), carrying life‑saving winter assistance, food, baby supplies, blankets, warm clothing, and medical supplies. pic.twitter.com/BuMhazXxZL
— UNHCR Syria (@UNHCRinSYRIA) February 2, 2026