Over 1 million Syrians have returned home recently

Over 1 million displaced Syrians have returned to their homes since the former President Bashar al-Assad was ousted in December. The UN reports that about 1.2 million Syrians have gone back, which includes 885,000 people displaced within Syria and 302,000 refugees from abroad. The majority of returnees came from Lebanon, Turkey, and Iraq. However, the situation remains challenging. Many returnees live in damaged or unfinished buildings. The UN refugee agency expects that up to 3.5 million more refugees and internally displaced persons could return in 2025. These individuals are hopeful for a fresh start after years of conflict. Despite this, there are significant obstacles. The UN warns about the lack of basic services, security risks, and missing legal documents for returnees. Over 7 million people are still displaced across Syria, facing severe economic problems that hinder aid delivery. Currently, a humanitarian response plan for Syria is only 12.5% funded, according to the UN. Recent violence has added to the instability. New fighting between government loyalists and security forces has resulted in over 1,000 deaths, marking one of the deadliest clashes in years. Following this violence, the interim government signed a deal to collaborate with Kurdish authorities in northeast Syria. UN officials emphasize the urgent need for global support to aid displaced Syrians. They stress the importance of providing shelter, electricity, water, and education for those returning home. Failure to support these needs could lead to more people leaving Syria, worsening the humanitarian crisis.