Syria: "Rising Returns, Growing Humanitarian Needs" - Briefing | United Nations

Tom Fletcher, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, said, “I visited Syria again last month, with my UNDP colleague Alexander De Croo. We saw progress: millions of people are returning home. Markets growing. More lights coming back on. The Humanitarian Reset working.” He added, “Conflict across the region in March put immense pressure on Syria. As of April 19th, nearly 300,000 people had crossed into Syria from Lebanon – overwhelmingly Syrian nationals – adding to the estimated 1.6 million Syrian refugees who have returned to Syria from across the region since the end of 2024. Returnees need food, shelter and other support. While the ceasefire between Iran and the United States and Israel holds, tensions in the region remain high. The risk of ongoing disruptions to critical supply routes persists, threatening to destabilize the fragile internal momentum and potentially setting back return and recovery efforts by years.” He highlighted, “Needs are still high. Over 13 million in need of food. 12 million in need of clean water. Nearly 13 million in need of healthcare support. In the Northeast, 100,000 displaced across Al-Hasakah and Aleppo Governorates. Services are gradually stabilizing there as updated security arrangements are put in place, but gaps remain.”


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