Nearly 850,000 Syrian refugees have returned from neighbouring countries since December, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said on Wednesday, even as Lebanon and Syria continue to grapple with a protracted displacement crisis.
UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees, Kelly Clements, concluded a visit to both countries where she met officials, returnees, and refugees still undecided about repatriation. She said UNHCR had expanded its support to ensure safe and voluntary returns, including cash assistance, transport, shelter and livelihoods help.
In Syria, she toured projects in Damascus, Homs and Idlib, and opened a rehabilitated civil registry office in Maaret Al Nouman to help returnees obtain documentation.
Lebanon continues to shoulder a significant burden, hosting hundreds of thousands of Syrians while also recording around 200,000 returns this year. At the same time, new arrivals fleeing recent violence in Syria highlight the fragile situation.
“The international community must take an active role in supporting recovery efforts, helping Syrians rebuild and reshape their country,” Clements said.
