More than three million Syrians have returned home since the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s rule a year ago, but dwindling global funding now threatens to halt — or even reverse — the trend, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) warned on Monday.
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According to UNHCR, around 1.2 million refugees and an additional 1.9 million internally displaced Syrians have made their way back following the civil war that ended with Assad’s overthrow. However, millions more remain outside the country, primarily in neighbouring states such as Jordan and Lebanon.
UNHCR Chief Filippo Grandi said the momentum of returns depends heavily on whether the international community remains committed to supporting Syria’s fragile recovery.
“Syrians are ready to rebuild — the question is whether the world is ready to help them do it,” Grandi said, noting that over 5 million refugees have yet to return.
Risk of Reverse Migration
Addressing donors in Geneva last week, Grandi cautioned that the lack of adequate support could push some returnees to leave Syria again.
“Returns continue in fairly large numbers, but unless we step up broader efforts, the risk of reversals is very real,” he said.
Syria’s $3.19 billion humanitarian response plan is only 29% funded this year, UN data shows, as major donors — including the United States — slash foreign aid amid growing global crises.
The World Health Organization has also warned of a widening gap between diminishing aid and the ability of Syria’s national systems to take over essential services. Only 58% of hospitals are fully functioning, and power shortages are disrupting cold-chain systems needed to store vaccines.
“Returnees are coming back to areas where medicines, staff, and infrastructure are limited — adding pressure to already thin services,” said Christina Bethke, Acting WHO Representative in Syria.
Unexploded Weapons Still a Daily Threat
The slow removal of unexploded ordnance remains another significant barrier to recovery. According to Humanity & Inclusion, over 1,500 people have been killed or injured by landmines and remnants of war over the past year. Yet clearance efforts remain just 13% funded.
Aid officials say Syria is among the first crises to feel the impact of widespread aid cuts, partly because the end of active conflict means it no longer qualifies as a top-tier emergency. Others suggest donors are waiting to see whether the new government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa delivers on promises of reform and accountability, including investigations into the March massacres of the Alawite minority.
