Syrian Arab Republic — humanitarian situation

Syria's political transition continues amid fragile stability following the regime collapse in December 2024, with the UN noting both opportunity and persistent challenges (OSES). Since December 2024, approximately 1.6 million refugees and 1.9 million internally displaced persons have returned to Syria, contributing to a gradual shift from emergency displacement response toward return and reintegration support (UNHCR). From Jordan alone, over 185,000 Syrian refugees have returned between December 2024 and June 2026, with an additional 197,000 returns recorded through June 2026 (UNHCR, WFP). However, cross-border movements from Lebanon into Syria decreased following a ceasefire declared on 17 April 2026, with IOM recording approximately 30,515 Syrian and Lebanese nationals returning to Lebanon since late April, suggesting stabilization in movement patterns along that border (IOM). Iraq continues to host around 350,500 refugees and asylum-seekers, 88% of whom are Syrian, with 26% residing in nine refugee camps (UNHCR). Despite large-scale returns, humanitarian needs remain severe, with 15.6 million people requiring humanitarian assistance across Syria (UNHCR). WFP targeting data from April–October 2025 demonstrates that eligibility criteria align well with household vulnerability, with eligible unassisted households exhibiting worse food security outcomes than non-eligible households (WFP). In Jordan, WFP provided food assistance to only 83,000 refugees in camps during May 2026 at reduced transfer values barely covering food needs, highlighting resource constraints (WFP). The organization requires USD 22 million for the next six months in Jordan alone (WFP). Lebanon faces continued humanitarian pressure, with WFP assisting 850,000 people in May 2026, including 264,000 conflict-affected individuals through emergency food and cash assistance, though needs outpace existing resources with a USD 91 million funding gap for July–December operations (WFP). Security conditions remain fragile. In Lebanon, more than 2,000 ceasefire violations were recorded through December 2025, resulting in over 300 fatalities and nearly 900 injuries (OCHA). Regional tensions intensified in early June 2026 following escalatory military activity, with cross-border drone and missile attacks in Iraq's Kurdistan Region underscoring ongoing instability (IOM). Limited access to employment in Syria remains a primary barrier to sustainable reintegration for returnees, though Syrian-owned and regional businesses are gradually resuming operations as conditions stabilize (UNHCR).