GENEVA - 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."
"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.
