2 million Syrians return home amid ongoing refugee crisis

On June 19, 2025, in Lebanon, Filippo Grandi, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, reported that approximately 2 million Syrian refugees have returned to Syria since the fall of Bashar al Assad's regime in December. He emphasized the need for international support for securing the safe return of these refugees, many of whom fled during the civil war that erupted in 2011. Grandi discussed with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun about creating more opportunities for the estimated 1.5 million Syrian refugees who are still in Lebanon to return home, highlighting that a significant number have already chosen to make that journey. Grandi communicated through social media that this return of refugees is a hopeful development, even as regional tensions persist, particularly with ongoing conflicts like the Israel-Iran war. He stressed that political solutions are necessary to avoid further instability and displacement. The Lebanese President called on the U.N. refugee agency, UNHCR, to intensify efforts for facilitating the return of refugees while continuing to provide aid to those remaining within Syria. The U.N. agency has started offering direct financial assistance to families returning to Syria, and Grandi expressed support for the Lebanese government's plan to encourage the return of refugees. However, significant challenges remain, and Grandi noted that Lebanon, the UNHCR, and Syria cannot manage this situation independently; they require help from the international community. Following years of civil war, Syria now faces enormous economic and infrastructural challenges, with the U.N. estimating the destruction from the war to be close to $400 billion. Grandi underscored the urgency of investing in Syrian infrastructure, job creation, and security. He recently welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump's lift of sanctions on Syria, viewing it as a crucial step towards attracting substantive investments necessary for reconstruction. Grandi's remarks highlighted that, despite the hopeful trend of returning refugees, the broader humanitarian crisis and the ongoing need for comprehensive support remain critical issues.