UN Official: Nearly 30% of Syrian Refugees Express Desire to Return Home

Nearly 30% of Syrian refugees in the Middle East wish to return home within the next year, Arba News reported citing Filippo Grandi, head of the UN refugee agency. This marks a dramatic increase from almost zero last year, following the ousting of President Bashar Assad. Grandi noted that around 200,000 refugees have already returned since Assad’s fall, alongside approximately 300,000 who fled back from Lebanon during the recent Hezbollah-Israel conflict.

Despite the desire to return, Syria faces immense challenges, including widespread poverty, destroyed infrastructure, and ongoing Western sanctions. To facilitate repatriation, UN agencies are providing cash aid for transportation, food assistance, and support for rebuilding homes.

Grandi emphasized the need for increased donor aid and reconsideration of sanctions, stating that improved conditions could encourage more refugees to return. He highlighted the importance of the new administration’s commitment to a more representative governing authority, which refugees are closely monitoring.