Voluntary Return to Syria 

UNHCR’s position is that it is refugees’ right to return to their home country at a time of their choosing, if they decide so based on information accessible to them.

Return is an individual decision taken by the refugees themselves. It is not up to UNHCR or anyone else to make the decision on return on behalf of refugees. Refugees are best placed to make that decision, based on their individual situation, that of their family and their homes in Syria.

UNHCR is currently not organizing return movements to Syria but, as mentioned below, can provide some support to refugees who have themselves taken the decision to return home now.

UNHCR also continues to work with the Lebanese authorities and partners to ensure that refugees who have not taken a decision to return to Syria can continue to stay in Lebanon until they are able to return home in safety and dignity.

If you have questions regarding return to Syria, please call the UNHCR National Call Center to take an appointment with UNHCR. A UNHCR staff member will either meet you in person at the nearest UNHCR reception center or talk to you over the phone to answer your questions and to discuss your needs. Questions could evolve around issues such as exit procedures, important documents to take to Syria, medical issues and vaccinations, the status of refugees’ UNHCR file in Lebanon if they decide to return, etc.

UNHCR staff members can also provide you with leaflets of UNHCR-supported community and satellite centers in the different governorates in Syria and the available services in these, such as legal aid and education support programs. UNHCR can also provide information about assistance programs by partner organizations in Syria, like WFP.

It is very important that you have official records of your own and your family’s civil status events that took place in Lebanon (birth, marriage, divorce, death) as well as the education documents. Without these documents, there is a risk that these events and/or your education are not recognized once you return to Syria.

Obtaining these documents might take time. If you are missing documents, please call the UNHCR National Call Center to take an appointment. UNHCR will provide guidance on how to obtain these documents and will try help accelerating the procedure whenever this is possible.

Over the past several years, UNHCR has been collecting information on refugees’ intentions and views regarding their future. It is essential for UNHCR to understand refugees’ intentions to conduct appropriate advocacy and to plan for effective support programs in Lebanon and in Syria.

The information collected during these activities is presented anonymously and the participation is on a voluntary basis. It is not compulsory to respond.

Participation in these intention surveys is not related to humanitarian assistance provided in Lebanon and does not affect refugees’ eligibility to receive assistance and services.