Year: 2026

Latest Updates for Syrian Returnees: Transportation, Travel, and Documentation Services

1. Launch of Transportation Assistance at Jisr Qamar Border Crossing

UNHCR, in collaboration with the General Authority for Borders and Customs and through its partner, the Child Care Society (CCS), has launched a free transportation assistance service at Jisr Qamar Border Crossing (Lebanon-Homs). The service is available from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Saturday through Thursday, and currently provides transportation to Homs Bus Station.

Transportation assistance for Syrian returnees in need is also available at certain border crossings. More information can be found under “Transportation assistance for refugee returnees

2. Announcement of Operating Flights Between Berlin and Damascus/Aleppo Airports

Link: https://www.facebook.com/SyrGACA/posts/pfbid02XnrWXFfbbu3xri7ZHQrMUYrPnAcPtKa3T9Xfg13tGButDzr33gM1YHprsFqa26KMl

3. Where Does Your Document Need to Be Authenticated? Here’s the Correct Procedure for Every Situation

Link:
https://www.facebook.com/MohamadAlomar.syr/posts/pfbid0rSFgXHx7kUZ7KUhhS6VJitXpEr9LHjiBnLvzrH5766AfYXFNUTgS8uDvPJb7v2fDl

4. Birth and Death Registration Services Activated at Syrian Diplomatic Missions with Processing Times of Up to 72 Hours

Link:
https://www.facebook.com/MohamadAlomar.syr/posts/pfbid0SZ2s2etkJzRzALcyGkZELGZWtp53XZLobegEEsrd5seKY7KwCxvyQ76eaAvC7LZol

Updating Data for Selected Syrian Refugee Returnees Families

UNHCR Syria is reviewing and updating its existing records for selected Syrian refugee returnee families whose identification document information is incomplete or unavailable in UNHCR records. These selected families will receive a link to provide the required information.

Submission of information is voluntarily and does not guarantee assistance, eligibility for assistance, or any personal benefits.

How to verify this message

  • UNHCR will contact selected families only through its official WhatsApp number: +41 22 355 05 61.
  • Before sharing any information, please verify that the message was sent from this number.
  • You can also confirm that this WhatsApp number is listed on the official Syria Is Home website: Assistance and financial support – Syria is Home.
  • UNHCR will never ask you to pay any fee, transfer money, or share passwords, PIN codes, or bank account details.

Who should complete the form?

  • The form can be only accessed by the households targeted for this exercise.
  • The head of family should provide a National ID number.
  • For families who returned from Türkiye, please also provide the Kimlik ID number.
  • If a National ID number is not available, you may obtain an individual civil registration extract from the Civil Affairs Department (Al-Nofous) and enter the National ID Number shown on the document.
  • The head of family or any adult family member registered with the UNHCR should fill out the form according to the instructions on the form.

Important information

  • This link is official, secure and sent from UNHCR’s WhatsApp number mentioned on the Syria Is Home website: Assistance and financial support – Syria is Home
  • Completing this form helps UNHCR maintain updated and accurate records.
  • UNHCR will contact you only if additional information is required. If you do not hear from UNHCR, no further action is needed from your side at this stage.
  • If this message was sent to you by mistake, or if you are not a member of the family associated with the UNHCR case number referenced in this message, please disregard it.

Data Protection: Your personal information will be treated confidentially and used solely to ensure you receive assistance if you are entitled to. For more information on how UNHCR treats your data, please see UNHCR data privacy notice: https://help.unhcr.org/syria/unhcr-privacy-notice/

All UNHCR and its partners’ services are free of charge. Under no circumstances should you offer payment, compensation or gifts in return

Calling All Young Changemakers in Syria!

 Strengthening Communities. Shape the Future.

Youth are the driving force for progress and social transformation. With passion, creativity, and vision youth bring, they own the power to uplift communities and spark meaningful change.

Through the Youth-Led Initiatives Program, UNHCR, together with partner organizations across Syria, invite you to take the lead in building more inclusive, connected, and resilient communities.

If you’re part of a motivated group of young people aged 18–26, with ideas that could bring people together, support reintegration of returnee communities, ease local challenges, or improve lives of vulnerable members of your community, this is your opportunity to turn these ideas into action.

You bring the vision. We’ll provide the tools.

Why This Matters?

In a time when many individuals and families are returning to reestablish their lives and reconnect with their communities, local efforts, especially those led by youth, can make a lasting difference.

Whether it’s supporting access to services, creating shared spaces, offering educational or health initiatives, or strengthening social ties, your actions can help build a stronger, more stable society for all.

Who Can Apply?

We’re looking for active youth groups who:

  • Are composed of at least 8 members (males and females), all aged 18–26.
  • Are proposing voluntary, Community-Based, and non-profit initiatives.
  • Aim to address local challenges affecting vulnerable groups from the returnees, refugees, internally displaced people and host communities.

Your Initiative Might Include but not limited to:

Initiatives may include activities that: support the safe return and inclusion of returnees, strengthen social cohesion, promote education and digital literacy, enhance livelihoods and vocational skills, empower women and persons with disabilities, improve access to services and economic opportunities, raise awareness on rights, health, and psychosocial well-being, and foster health, teamwork, nonviolent communication, and community participation through sports and recreational activities

What Support Will You Get?

Selected groups will receive:

  • Essential tools, materials, and supplies for implementation.
  • Technical guidance and follow-up through local partner organizations.

Key Dates

  • Application Deadline: 13 August 2026
  • All initiatives must be completed during 2026, with related financial activities finalized by 15 December 2026.

How to Apply

Fill in the full application form here:


📩 استمارة التقدم لبرنامج دعم المبادرات الشبابية 2026

Only selected applicants will be contacted.

Selection is based on:

  • Completeness and clarity of the application.
  • Relevance and responsiveness to the community needs.
  • Gender balance within the group and among beneficiaries.
  • Feasibility of the proposed projects.
  • Respect for age, gender, and diversity (AGD) principles.
  • Ability to complete all proposed activities and achieve the intended results within the specified timeframe, ensuring full completion before the end of 2026.

📌 Important Note:

Due to this year’s focused approach, a maximum of 50 youth-led initiatives will be selected. Make sure your proposal is clear, inspiring, feasible, and directly responsive to the needs of your community.

Seize this opportunity to showcase your leadership and positive impact.

Be among the best—and help build a more inclusive and cohesive future.

Let’s create spaces for people to reconnect.
Let’s lead the way—together.

Key messages on the second stage of acquisition of nationality under Presidential Decree No 13 of 2026.

If you have applied for Syrian nationality under Legislative Decree No. 13 of 2026 regarding  the naturalisation of Kurds, please follow the link  for key information about the second stage of  the naturalisation application process.


The purpose of the second stage is to complete the required procedures and verify the information submitted during the first stage,  the Application Submission Stage,  in accordance with the instructions issued by the relevant authorities.

Call Center Closure during Hijri New Year Holiday

Please note that the Call Center will be closed on 16/06/2026 in observance of the Hijri New Year holiday. Normal operations will resume on Wednesday, 17/16/2026.

We wish everyone a happy and peaceful Hijri New Year!

Important Update on Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance for Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Following consultations with communities, UNHCR would like to inform you that the criteria for Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance for Refugees and Asylum Seekers have been revised.

Due to limited funding, UNHCR is unfortunately not able to support all families who received assistance in the past. Assistance is now provided based on a prioritization process, which aims to support families facing the most severe vulnerabilities and urgent needs.  This prioritization is based on existing data to UNHCR. Eligibility is determined by a combination of factors, including household composition and specific needs.

Please keep in mind:

We understand that this update may be difficult. We appreciate your understanding as we work to ensure that limited assistance reaches those most in need. To avoid misinformation, please rely only on UNHCR’s official communication channels.

All services provided by UNHCR and its partners are free of charge.

All services provided by UNHCR and its partners are free of charge.

Call Center Closure During Eid Al-Adha Holiday

Please be informed that UNHCR Call Center will be closed from 26/05/2026 to 28/05/2026 in observation of Eid Al-Adha holiday.

Normal operations will resume on 31/05/2026.

We wish everyone a safe and peaceful Holiday.

" Eid Adha Mubarak"

New Ministry of Education Decision on School Admission for Students Returning from Türkiye

Pursuant to the provisions of the internal regulations of basic and secondary education schools, the Ministry of Education issued the decision (No. 943) dated 27 April 2026, which stipulates as follows:

  1. Student holding a Basic Education Certificate issued by the Ministry of Education in Türkiye, which is officially authenticated and confirms successful completion of the eighth grade, shall be exempted from sitting for the basic education certificate examination, and shall be treated as follows:
  2. The student shall be admitted to the ninth grade of basic education as a regular student, if the age requirement is met. The student shall then sit for the ninth-grade transitional examination at the same school in which they are enrolled.
  • Students falling under this category shall be subject to the pass and fail regulations applicable to the transitional eighth grade as outlined in the ministerial circular No. 543/90 (5/4), dated 18/1/2026, with due observance of the provisions of Article (37) of the internal regulations for Basic Education Schools.
  • Students passing the ninth-grade transitional examination shall be admitted to the first year of secondary education, in accordance with the registration and admission instructions applicable to students returning from abroad.