Syria crisis

At 90 years old, Mohammad Abdallah and his family have lived in Jordan’s Za’atari Refugee Camp since fleeing Syria in 2012.

Photo: © UNHCR/Hameed Maarouf

Last updated 31st March 2026

Like Mohammad, many forcibly displaced Syrians rely on UNHCR to support their daily needs.

Cash Assistance

to help families cover basic survival costs like rent and medicine.

Shelter

to help families who have lost their homes.

Education

to keep children in school.

What’s happening in Syria?

Over the past 14 years, millions of Syrians have been forced to flee their homes, including over 5.5 million individuals who are displaced within Syria. Mass displacement has deepened humanitarian needs within Syria, where widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure, along with a collapsing economy, has left millions in urgent need of support. In 2025, UNHCR estimates that 16.7 million people across Syria are in need of humanitarian assistance.

Since the fall of the former government in December 2024, more than 1.3 million Syrian refugees who fled the country have returned home, the vast majority of whom primarily returned from the neighbouring countries of Türkiye, Lebanon and Jordan, whilst over 1.9 million internally displaced Syrians returned home from other parts of Syria since November 27th 2024.

While this is a reason for hope, the security situation in the country remains unpredictable in some areas, and their basic services are limited.

UNHCR is supporting returning Syrians with everything from transportation home and house repairs to legal aid for the replacement of lost identity and property documents.

What’s happening in Syria?

Over the past 14 years, millions of Syrians have been forced to flee their homes, including over 5.5 million individuals who are displaced within Syria. Mass displacement has deepened humanitarian needs within Syria, where widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure, along with a collapsing economy, has left millions in urgent need of support. In 2025, UNHCR estimates that 16.5 million people across Syria are in need of humanitarian assistance.

Since the fall of the former government in December 2024, more than 1.3 million Syrian refugees who fled the country have returned home, the vast majority of whom primarily returned from the neighbouring countries of Türkiye, Lebanon and Jordan, whilst over 1.9 million internally displaced Syrians returned home from other parts of Syria since November 27th 2024.

While this is a reason for hope, the security situation in the country remains unpredictable in some areas, and their basic services are limited.

UNHCR is supporting returning Syrians with everything from transportation home and house repairs to legal aid for the replacement of lost identity and property documents.

What is UNHCR doing to help internally displaced families, returning Syrians, in addition to displaced Syrians in neighbouring countries?

Inside Syria, UNHCR is provisioning essential help and recovery support for people displaced inside the country and those returning, such as health services and counselling, shelter repairs and winter relief, and ongoing protection services through community centres.

In neighbouring countries, UNHCR continues to provide lifesaving humanitarian aid, including cash for medicine and other basic necessities, stoves and fuel for heating, insulation for tents, thermal blankets and winter clothing.

At this crucial moment for Syria, public support is urgently needed to ensure the millions that have suffered for so long receive the help they urgently need.

Where are most refugees currently living?

Since the beginning of the Syria crisis 14 years ago, millions of Syrians have been forced to flee their homes in search of safety, with over 3.9 million settling in other countries. Primarily, Syrian refugees live in the five countries neighbouring Syria – Türkiye, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt. The majority (over 60%) live in Türkiye.

Many refugees have now been slipping further into poverty and living in formal refugee camps or inadequate and unsafe shelters for several years.

Why can’t more people return home?

It’s still very dangerous for families in Syria. Millions have lost their homes, communities and loved ones, so are often unwilling – or unable – to risk the journey back. Hostilities continue to impact civilians and vital infrastructure. In some areas, crisis has lessened, but returns are not yet possible as buildings and utilities have been completely destroyed, and threats such as mines need to be cleared.

Why do we need public support?

After years of upheaval, many Syrians have long exhausted any precious savings they were able to take with them when fleeing. They are now trapped in extreme poverty, relying on UNHCR to support their daily needs. With millions of Syrians displaced inside Syria and around the world, public support has never been more vital. Every donation helps a Syrian refugee survive, recover and take steps to rebuild their lives.

Where is UNHCR on the ground?

UNHCR is working inside Syria and in neighbouring countries across the region – delivering life–saving humanitarian aid to displaced families and supporting the efforts of host countries.

Where can I access the latest data and reports?

Syrian Operations – for latest on UNHCR’s relief work to protect displaced people inside Syria.

Syria Situation Portal – for latest updates on the crisis overall, including UNHCR situation reports, funding requirements and UNHCR’s support for neighbouring countries taking in refugees from Syrian refugees.

Ahmad is a 22-year-old Syrian refugee who lives with his family in Zaatari camp.

Ahmad is a fourth-year English translation student at Zarqa Private University and has received a 4-year scholarship from UNHCR’s DAFI programme, funded by the DAFI Scholarship.

Support from UK for UNHCR donors can help provide support for Ahmad, his family and many other refugees.

Ahmad is a 22-year-old Syrian refugee who lives with his family in Zaatari camp.

Ahmad is a fourth-year English translation student at Zarqa Private University and has received a 4-year scholarship from UNHCR’s DAFI programme, funded by the DAFI Scholarship.

Support from UK for UNHCR donors can help provide support for Ahmad, his family and many other refugees.