According to a regional survey conducted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), 80% of a random sample of 4,500 Syrian refugees across five countries, including Jordan, expressed their desire to return to Syria soon.
اضافة اعلان
In its report, the UNHCR stated that the percentage of refugees looking to return to Syria is a significant increase compared to 57% in the previous survey conducted in April 2024, indicating renewed hopes for a safe return in the near future.
The regional survey, titled "Syrian Refugees' Perceptions and Intentions to Return to Syria," conducted in February, showed that approximately 5.5 million Syrians are living in Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq, and Egypt, and they expressed their willingness to return to their homeland.
The desire of refugees to return in the near term has seen a sharp increase; 27% of refugees expressed a wish to return within the next 12 months, compared to just 1.7% in the previous survey, according to the report.
According to the UNHCR, this shift in perspective is attributed to various driving factors. 52% of respondents mentioned the fall of Assad as the main motivating factor for their decision to return. Refugees stated that recent developments were accompanied by a noticeable improvement in security and safety, along with the possibility of family reunification and contributing positively to the country's reconstruction.
Many refugees also emphasized the importance of conducting "reconnaissance trips" to visit their homeland before making a final decision. Over 60% of them believe that such visits would help them form a direct image of the current conditions in Syria.
40% in Jordan
The study revealed significant differences between the host countries regarding intentions to return. In Jordan and Egypt, the return intention rates were the highest, with 40% in Jordan and 42% in Egypt. The rates were lower in Lebanon at 24% and Iraq at 12%.
The UNHCR explained that the survey included detailed information on the refugee profile, with 38% of the participants being female and 62% male. Additionally, 83% of the respondents were between the ages of 25 and 59, while youth (aged 19-24) represented only 11%. Furthermore, 78% were key points of contact, meaning they were often heads of households and primary decision-makers.
Refugees expressed strong optimism for Syria's future, with more than half of the refugees who do not plan to return within the next 12 months intending to do so within the next five years. Many believe that financial support, transportation, and help with rebuilding their homes will play a crucial role in facilitating their return.
The UNHCR announced its efforts to raise $22 million to facilitate the return of Syrian refugees in Jordan to their country in 2025 and provide the necessary support when they arrive in Syria. This is part of its broader plan to raise $370.9 million for the same purpose across five countries.
According to the UNHCR, approximately 43,704 Syrian refugees voluntarily returned to their homeland between December 8, 2024, and February 22, 2025.
According to the Ministry of Interior, 42,675 Syrians have left Jordan through the Jaber border crossing since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime.
