29 July 2025
MASNAA – UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) today launched the Organized Voluntary Return Programme to support Syrians in Lebanon who voluntarily decide to return to Syria to do so in a dignified and safe manner. Through today’s pilot return movement, three buses carrying 71 refugees and three trucks carrying their personal belongings returned from Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley to Damascus, Rural Damascus and Homs in Syria.
The Organised Voluntary Return Programme is part of a wider effort to help Syrian refugees return to Syria. Refugees who request support can benefit from transportation from a designated area within Lebanon to one of the official border crossing points to a final destination within Syria, in coordination with the Government of Lebanon and including facilitation from the General Security Office.
“Today was a very emotional day for refugees who are finally realizing their dream of returning home after many years in exile and now looking forward to building their lives back home, despite the challenges. It is also an important milestone for Lebanon, a country that has done so much for refugees for over a decade”, said Ivo Freijsen, UNHCR Representative in Lebanon. “Return is the preferred solution in any refugee crisis, and we are committed to working closely with the Government of Lebanon and all concerned to achieve a sustainable return for refugees”.
Despite the relative volatility of the situation inside Syria, since 8 December 2024, UNHCR estimates that some 700,000 Syrians have crossed back to Syria via neighboring countries, including around 200,000 via or from Lebanon. Furthermore, over 120,000 individuals files have been inactivated from UNHCR’s registration records in Lebanon so far in 2025 due to verified return or presumed return, even before receiving support to do so.
“Today’s operation is a significant step in facilitating voluntary return for Syrians who request support to return home,” said Mathieu Luciano, IOM Lebanon Head of Office. “We ensured the movement was supported at every stage, with careful attention to safety, dignity, and individual needs.”
During the first half of July, more than 17,000 individuals have registered their interest in the facilitated Voluntary Return Programme and received counselling on the process steps and implications. The progamme also entails the provision of cash assistance and other support from UNHCR, IOM and partners, both in Lebanon and in Syria, to help families return and settle back home.
UNHCR and IOM believe that any returns must be accompanied with investments in areas of return across Syria, to prevent secondary displacement and contribute to sustainable reintegration.
UNHCR and IOM will continue working closely with Lebanese authorities and other partners to support safe and dignified voluntary return movements while continuing to scale up assistance in Syria and return areas to ensure continuation of care and sustainable reintegration. Adequate donor funding is vital to ensure that this support can be provided; sustained and predictable resources are needed to capitalize on this positive potential for durable solutions.