UN Hopes 200,000 Syrian Refugees Return from Lebanon
UNHCR plans to help 200,000 Syrian refugees in Lebanon return home in 2025 after Assad’s fall. Read the full story and what support they’ll get.
UNHCR in Lebanon Targets 200,000 Syrian Refugee Returns by End of 2025
July 31, 2025 – Beirut
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Lebanon is aiming to support the return of 200,000 Syrian refugees to their homeland by the end of 2025, marking the largest voluntary repatriation effort in the region since the start of Syria’s conflict in 2011.
The initiative follows the fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime late last year a political shift that has altered the perspectives of many Syrians living in exile.
“Only 1% of Syrian refugees wanted to return before Assad’s ouster. Now, 24% are planning or considering returning within the year,” said outgoing UNHCR representative Ivo Freijsen in a statement to the Associated Press.
A Shift After More Than a Decade of War
The Syrian war has displaced over 12 million people. Lebanon, once hosting as many as 1.5 million Syrian refugees, remains home to around 1 million today.
Since the fall of Assad in December 2024, over 120,000 refugees have returned to Syria without international aid, according to UN estimates.
UN Support for Returnees
The new program offers a modest support package for returnees:
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$100 in cash per person
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Bus transportation back to Syria
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Legal aid and help with documentation
The Lebanese government will waive overstay fines and other penalties for undocumented refugees. Upon arrival, UN agencies will assist with housing, health, and reintegration services.
Earlier this week, a pilot group of 72 refugees crossed into Syria via the Masnaa border point. So far, 17,000 Syrians have officially signed up for the voluntary return program.
Hope Meets Harsh Reality
While UNHCR’s goal is to facilitate 200,000 returns by December, Freijsen admitted that the ideal target would be 400,000.
“We’ve made it as easy as possible. The option is now there, and people are responding,” Freijsen added.
Still, challenges persist. Over 90% of Syrians live below the poverty line. The country needs extensive international investment to rebuild shattered cities, institutions, and the economy.
Though diplomatic relations are improving especially with Gulf states Syria’s fragile political and economic landscape may limit how many returnees can sustainably rebuild their lives.
“People are willing to return with hardship,” Freijsen noted. “But they must also be able to make a living.”
Quick Facts Box
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Refugees in Lebanon | ~1 million |
| Target Returnees (2025) | 200,000–400,000 |
| Cash Support | $100 per person |
| Other Support | Bus transport, legal aid, documentation |
| Already Returned (2025) | 120,000 (independently) |
| Refugees Signed Up | 17,000 as of July 2025 |
| UN Agencies Involved | UNHCR, IOM |
| Main Crossing Point | Masnaa border post |
Image/Video Credit Lines
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Credit: AP / Bilal Hussein
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Credit: Reuters / Mohamed Azakir
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Credit: UNHCR / Houssam Hariri
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