“One month after the fall of the Assad regime, over 125,000 refugees returned to Syria with hope, only to face desperate conditions, UN warns.”

Syria Struggles to Support Over 125,000 Refugees Returning to Desperate Conditions

More than a month after the fall of the Assad regime, over 125,000 refugees have returned to Syria with hopes of rebuilding their lives after years of exile. However, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has raised alarm over the dire conditions that returnees now face. Many families are left without shelter, economic opportunities, or basic necessities. UNHCR Representative in Syria, Gonzalo Vargas Llosa, stressed the urgent need for the international community to take action, warning that until “words turn into action,” many returnees will continue to live in makeshift shelters under plastic sheeting.

The return of refugees is taking place against the backdrop of immense destruction following 14 years of brutal conflict that formally ended in December 2024, following a military takeover by forces including Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS). As the country slowly recovers, the extent of devastation across Syria’s towns and cities is becoming increasingly visible. While the international community discusses “early recovery” and “rebuilding,” returnees are finding little tangible support for rebuilding their lives.

Massive Internal Displacement and Humanitarian Struggles

In addition to the refugees, almost 500,000 internally displaced Syrians have also returned to the northwest of the country by the end of 2024. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that before the fall of the regime, Syria was home to 7.4 million internally displaced people, with 2.3 million residing in camps. A staggering 16.7 million people inside Syria were dependent on humanitarian aid.

The situation is dire for those returning, and with winter approaching, the need for urgent shelter and support is growing. The UN migration agency, IOM, has issued a call for $73.2 million to assist 1.1 million vulnerable individuals over the next six months. This is a substantial increase from the previous $30 million appeal made in December 2024. IOM’s efforts aim to provide winterization relief, shelter, water, sanitation, hygiene services, and early recovery support.

International Response and Future Discussions

In the aftermath of the UN Security Council’s discussions on Syria, foreign ministers from Italy, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as well as EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, are set to meet in Rome to discuss the next steps for Syria. There is a growing consensus that more concrete support is needed for the country’s recovery and the millions of Syrians affected by the ongoing crisis.

Winter Aid Efforts

Since December 2024, IOM has reached over 80,000 people in Syria with essential winter relief items, providing emergency water and sanitation services to 170,000 individuals. Additionally, 15,000 people have received multipurpose cash assistance to help them survive the harsh winter months. Despite these efforts, much more needs to be done, as Syria’s infrastructure has been severely damaged, leaving many in urgent need of support.

As the winter months approach, the humanitarian crisis deepens, and both the refugee returnees and internally displaced persons continue to struggle for basic survival. Without adequate international support, Syria’s recovery and the well-being of its most vulnerable populations remain in jeopardy. The global community’s response in the coming months will determine the future of Syria’s reconstruction and the lives of its returnees.

Syria Faces Critical Winter Crisis as Refugees Return Amid Dire Conditions

Despite returning to their homeland after years of exile, over 125,000 refugees in Syria are confronting bleak realities. The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has urgently called on the international community to shift from rhetoric to tangible action to support these returnees who are struggling to survive amidst immense destruction and inadequate infrastructure. Many refugees, after years of fleeing the brutal conflict, now find themselves living in precarious conditions without adequate shelter, economic opportunities, or access to basic services. UNHCR Representative Gonzalo Vargas Llosa emphasized that, despite high-level discussions on “early recovery” and “rebuilding,” the needs of returnees remain unmet, with many living in makeshift shelters or beneath plastic sheeting.

The Aftermath of 14 Years of War and Humanitarian Aid Gaps

The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria continues to be exacerbated by the aftermath of 14 years of intense conflict, which ended in December 2024 following the military takeover of Damascus by forces including Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS). This sudden shift marked the beginning of Syria’s efforts to stabilize, but the scale of destruction across the country’s towns and cities remains staggering. In addition to the more than 125,000 returning refugees, nearly 500,000 internally displaced Syrians (IDPs) have been attempting to find their way back to the northwest by the end of 2024. With 7.4 million internally displaced people in Syria and 2.3 million residing in camps before the regime’s fall, the country is still grappling with a monumental challenge.

Before the regime’s fall, approximately 16.7 million people in Syria were reliant on humanitarian aid, and the need for continued support is more urgent than ever. The situation on the ground has highlighted the gap between what is being promised by international bodies and what is being delivered to the people most in need.

Immediate Relief Efforts and the Need for Winterization

The UN migration agency (IOM) has echoed the UNHCR’s warnings, especially as winter looms, calling for a significant increase in funds to support the most vulnerable groups, including refugees and IDPs. The agency’s new appeal for $73.2 million aims to assist over 1.1 million people across Syria during the winter months, an increase from the $30 million previously requested in December 2024. This funding is crucial for providing essential services such as shelter, water, sanitation, hygiene, cash assistance, and health care. The winterization efforts are designed to help people who have been displaced or have returned to Syria in a state of severe vulnerability.

In response to the escalating needs, IOM’s operations in Syria since December 2024 have provided critical support. Over 80,000 individuals have received winter relief items, 170,000 people have benefited from emergency water and sanitation services, and 15,000 individuals have been provided with multipurpose cash assistance to help cover basic needs. While these efforts are important, the scale of the challenge means that much more is needed to ensure the survival and dignity of these vulnerable communities.

International Diplomacy and the Road Ahead

Following discussions within the UN Security Council, international actors such as the foreign ministers of Italy, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States, alongside the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, are preparing to meet in Rome to discuss a coordinated response to Syria’s ongoing crisis. The goal is to transition from high-level rhetoric into actionable plans that can make a tangible difference for Syria’s refugees and IDPs. The international community’s commitment to rebuilding Syria must be matched with financial support and the ability to address the most immediate humanitarian needs.

The Growing Humanitarian Crisis: A Call for Action

As the international community prepares for a critical round of diplomatic talks, the people on the ground in Syria continue to face unimaginable hardships. The return of refugees, while a sign of hope for some, also underscores the stark reality of a country still grappling with the ravages of war. Winter presents an especially harsh challenge, and the urgency of providing aid cannot be overstated.

The international community’s ability to respond in a timely and effective manner will determine not only the future of Syria’s reconstruction but also the survival of its most vulnerable populations. It remains to be seen if the promises of “rebuilding” and “early recovery” can translate into real support for the millions of Syrians who desperately need assistance to survive the harshest of winters.

Courtesy: CBS Evening News

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