More than three million displaced Syrians have returned to their homeland in the year since the fall of the Asaad regime, according to the UN’s refugee agency UNHCR. 

The juncture presents challenges given Syria’s struggling economy and humanitarian issues. 

But UNHCR says the returns also present and opportunity for an era of peace and stability for Syrians, although more international support is required. 

The agency says more than 1.2 million Syrians have voluntarily returned from neighbouring countries since December 2024, alongside over 1.9 million internally displaced people (IDPs) who have gone back to their areas of origin. 

This represents a critical step in Syria’s healing and rebuilding process. 

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said forced displacement was among the damaging consequences of the conflict, and return was critical to end years of suffering and ensure stabilisation. 

“This is a once-in-a-generation chance to help end one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises,” he said. 

“But without urgent global backing, this window of hope will close. Syrians are ready to rebuild – the question is whether the world is ready to help them do it”. 

As increasing numbers of Syrians head home, UNHCR has begun facilitating voluntary returns from neighbouring countries to ensure they are dignified and sustainable. 

Support includes cash assistance, transportation and counselling on civil documentation required to facilitate reintegration. 

The agency has scaled up its activities in neighbouring host countries since January 2025 to respond to growing demand for voluntary returns. 

At least 170,000 Syrians have returned from Jordan to Syria since 8 December 2024. 

In Turkey, in the last year, around 560,000 Syrians have voluntarily returned. UNHCR has monitored around 420,000 returns in coordination with the authorities. 

Refugees have received counselling, information on conditions in areas of origin, and cash for transport. 

UNHCR is also supporting with civil documentation before departure and providing referrals and financial support upon arrival. 

The agency says that refugees should not be forced to return because the security situation inside Syria remains fluid in certain areas, and Syrian refugees are closely monitoring how conditions on the ground evolve. 

Large challenges remain in a country devastated by 14 years of war. Entire neighbourhoods remain in ruins, including schools, hospitals and water systems. 

Electricity, clean water and health care remain patchy. Livelihood opportunities are limited, and local markets are short of supplies. Many returnees lack civil documents, hindering access to property rights and essential services. Unexploded ordnance continues to threaten lives; 577 people have lost their lives since the beginning of the year. 

UNHCR’s $1.5 billion 2025 appeal for the Syria situation is only 33 per cent funded, leaving millions without adequate shelter, basic services and support for the looming winter. Approximately 4.5 million Syrian refugees remain in neighbouring countries, most living below the poverty line. 

Melbourne Syrian community leader Norma Medawar said Syrians in Australia were cautiously optimistic about developments in their homeland. 

“We are glad to see the violence has stopped, but there are still concerns that minorities might become targets again,” Ms Medawar. 

“But an improved economic situation in Syria can only help to ensure stability and peace,” she said. 

The regime of dictator Bashar al Assad was toppled this week by a coalition of militias led by Mohammed al-Golani and his Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group in December 2024.