UN transport to Aleppo, Syria. Syria: Over 51,000 refugees returned to their homeland in December Humanitarian aid
More Syrians have returned to the country in the past two weeks than in the whole of 2023, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Since December 8, about 51,000 people have crossed official border crossings from neighboring countries into Syria, of whom about 25,000 arrived from Turkey.
Situation at the borders
Turkey has increased the capacity of its border crossings to 19,000 people per day, and launched a program of familiarization visits for refugees considering returning. On December 24, Turkey’s Interior Minister said that the return of refugees should be voluntary, orderly, safe and dignified.
As reported by the media the day before, citing the interim authorities of Syria, 12,800 Syrians have returned from Jordan through the Jaber Nassib border crossing since December 8. It is also reported that traffic at this checkpoint has intensified in recent days, and after Jordan opened the crossing to trucks, the volume of commercial transport has also increased.
UNHCR surveys show that many Syrian refugees are interested in returning, but most are taking a wait-and-see approach. Syrians are mainly looking for clarity on the stabilisation of the political situation, security conditions and access to basic services. UNHCR will conduct regular surveys to ensure that its programmes remain relevant.
Humanitarian conditions in Syria
UNHCR has established cooperation with the interim authorities in Syria, including at border crossings and in key government institutions such as the Department of Social Affairs in Aleppo. However, the security situation remains volatile, particularly in Idlib and Hama, where more than 400,000 people are internally displaced. Last week, UNHCR was able to conduct its first mission to Idlib since the fall of the regime, where it discussed the needs of internally displaced persons and returnees with the interim authorities.
According to the Office, many returnees find themselves amid destruction and without basic infrastructure. They are forced to seek refuge again. In December 2024, 728,100 cases of internal displacement were registered in Syria. UNHCR highlights the lack of adequate shelter, the danger of mines and unexploded ordnance, and the lack of access to legal, psychological and medical assistance as key concerns.