GENEVA (23 July 2026) – Syria has a
historic opportunity to transform one of the world’s largest
displacement crises into an inclusive and sustainable
recovery, a UN human rights expert* said
today.
“Syria has the potential to move from a phase
of managing displacement to one of resolving it. An
important measure of success will be whether displaced
persons can enjoy their rights and rebuild their lives in
safety and dignity,” said Paula Gaviria Betancur, the
Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally
displaced persons, at the end of an official visit to the
country.
Syria is emerging from one of the world’s
largest and most protracted displacement crises. Since 2011,
an estimated 14 million people have been displaced. Since
December 2024, nearly two million internally displaced
persons and 1.7 million refugees have returned. Yet
approximately 5.5 million people remain internally
displaced, reconstruction needs are estimated at USD 216
billion, and 15.6 million people continue to require
humanitarian assistance.
The Special Rapporteur
acknowledged the immense scale of the task confronting
Syria. She noted that the country is simultaneously
rebuilding its economy, institutions, public services, legal
and policy frameworks, infrastructure and social fabric,
while responding to one of the world’s largest
displacement crises. “The challenges facing Syria are
immense and cannot be addressed overnight,” she said.
“Efforts to secure durable solutions for displaced persons
must be accompanied by broader measures to restore
livelihoods, strengthen the rule of law and support an
inclusive recovery that benefits all
Syrians.”
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“The scale of return reflects both the
resilience and the aspirations of the Syrian people. It also
represents an immense humanitarian, development, protection
and human rights responsibility: ensuring that return is not
only possible but genuinely voluntary, safe, dignified and
sustainable for all,” Gaviria Betancur
said.
“Across every governorate I visited, I heard
one consistent message: internally displaced persons do not
want to remain defined by displacement,” she
said.
“Despite years of hardship, repeated
displacement, loss of loved ones, destruction of homes and
livelihoods, they continue to demonstrate extraordinary
strength and determination. They seek to rebuild their
lives, support their families with independence and dignity,
and actively contribute to Syria’s recovery.”
The
Special Rapporteur welcomed the Government’s “Syria
Without Camps” initiative as an important commitment to
ending prolonged camp displacement, and stressed that
closures must be an outcome of rights-based durable
solutions, not a substitute. “The sustainability of camp
closures will depend on displaced persons having access to
viable and sustainable durable solutions,” she
said.
The expert emphasised that return is one
important element of a broader durable solutions process. In
many areas, returnees are confronted with destroyed homes,
limited public services and scarce livelihoods. They also
face issues related to housing, land and property, as well
as contamination from mines and explosive remnants of war.
“Sustaining returns will require continued investment in
recovery and reintegration support,” she
said.
“Efforts should also be strengthened to ensure
the protection of internally displaced persons, including
minorities, prevent secondary displacement, and support
durable solutions that enable displaced communities to
rebuild their lives in safety and dignity,” Gaviria
Betancur said. “This calls for inclusive, rights-based and
area-based approaches that benefit displaced persons,
returnees and host communities alike.”
The Special
Rapporteur stressed that housing, land and property issues,
mine action, livelihood and community-centred recovery
processes as well as the meaningful participation of
displaced persons must form central pillars of Syria’s
recovery. She also highlighted the role of transitional
justice processes, including truth-seeking, accountability
and guarantees of non-recurrence, as an essential tool for
addressing past violations and building sustainable
peace.
Gaviria Betancur encouraged continued efforts
to strengthen national frameworks and institutions, drawing
on relevant international standards including the UN Guiding
Principles on Internal Displacement.
“Physical
reconstruction alone cannot heal the consequences of
displacement,” she said. “Inclusive processes that
support social cohesion for displaced persons and affected
communities will be key to rebuilding and shaping Syria’s
future.”
The expert called on the international
community to continue providing humanitarian assistance to
those in need while expanding recovery and development
support through predictable, multi-year funding for returns
and reintegration programmes. She also encouraged private
sector engagement to support local economies and
livelihoods.
“Internally displaced persons are among
the most affected by Syria’s past, and among those who can
contribute most significantly to its future,” she said.
“Supporting their human rights, capacities and
participation is an investment into Syria’s social fabric,
economic recovery and long-term peace.”
The Special
Rapporteur will present her report to the Human Rights
Council in June 2027.
*The
expert:
Paula Gaviria Betancur, the
Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally
displaced
persons
