Nearly 30% of the millions of Syrian refugees living in Middle Eastern countries are eager to return to Syria in the next year, following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad, a dramatic rise from nearly zero last year, according to the head of the U.N. refugee agency. This shift is based on a U.N. assessment from January, which was conducted after Assad was ousted by Islamist rebels, bringing an end to the 13-year civil war that led to one of the largest refugee crises in modern history.
The desire to return has surged from almost zero to nearly 30% in just a few weeks. “This is a significant message that must be heard and acted upon,” Grandi said.
Since Assad’s fall, approximately 200,000 Syrian refugees have returned, in addition to around 300,000 who fled back from Lebanon during the Hezbollah-Israel conflict in September and October, many of whom are believed to have stayed.
Repatriating the roughly 6 million Syrians who fled the country, along with millions more displaced internally, has been a major goal of Syria’s new administration. However, much of the country remains in ruins, with critical infrastructure destroyed, widespread poverty, and severe Western sanctions isolating Syria’s economy from the rest of the world.
To support returning refugees, the U.N. is offering some financial assistance for travel and plans to help with food and rebuilding damaged homes. Grandi emphasized that additional aid is necessary and that sanctions should be reconsidered. He did not comment directly on a recent U.S. decision to suspend broad foreign aid programs.
“If sanctions are lifted, it will improve conditions in the areas to which people are returning,” Grandi said.
Earlier this month, the U.S. granted a six-month exemption from sanctions for certain sectors, including energy, but Syria’s new leadership asserts that more relief is needed.
Grandi pointed out that refugees are responding positively to the political changes underway, with the new administration under Ahmed Sharaa committed to creating a governing body by March 1 that represents Syria’s diversity. “Refugees are paying attention to what he and his team are saying, which is why so many are deciding to return,” Grandi noted. “If the situation continues to improve, more will follow.”
