Emergencies

SYRIA REFUGEE CRISIS

16.7 million

16.7 million people are in dire need of humanitarian assistance, up from 15.3 million in 2023 (as of March 2024).

90%

Over 90 percent of the population in Syria lives below the poverty line (as of March 2024).

12.9 million

12.9 million Syrians are food insecure and 7.2 million are internally displaced (as of March 2024).

About the Crisis in Syria

After more than a decade, the humanitarian situation in Syria is more difficult than ever. An estimated 16.7 million people need humanitarian assistance and more than half of the population remains displaced from their homes - including more than 5 million refugees living in neighboring countries and more than 7.2 million internally displaced inside Syria. Women and children comprise more than two thirds of those displaced.

Over 90 percent of Syrians live under the poverty line and it's estimated that 12.9 million people are food insecure. In Lebanon, economic challenges in the country have pushed Syrians further into poverty with over 90 percent of Syrian refugees living in extreme poverty.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, hopes recent developments in Syria will eventually bring an end to the largest displacement crisis in the world. More than 1 million people have been forced to flee their homes, with thousands of Syrian refugees returning and thousands of Syrians fleeing the country. Some Syrian refugees are already returning to Syria from Türkiye, Lebanon and Jordan while millions more are assessing what the rapidly changing situation means.

UNHCR stands ready to support Syrian refugees who choose voluntarily to return and urges continued protection and support for Syrians inside and outside the country.

VIDEO

Albeit a silent one, Syria remains the world’s largest refugee crisis of our time.

What is UNHCR doing to help Syrian refugees?

The UN Refugee Agency has been on the ground since the start of the crisis providing shelter, lifesaving supplies, clean water, hot meals and medical care to families who have been forced to flee their homes. During winter, UNHCR also supports vulnerable families with vital winter relief items - such as warm clothes, sleeping bags, thermal blankets, stoves, fuel for heating and insulation for tents - as well as cash assistance to help Syrian refugees pay rent and purchase food and medicine.

UNHCR and humanitarian partners are responding to the Türkiye-Syria Earthquakes by stepping up their assistance in the two countries. In Syria, UNHCR has delivered protection assistance, including psychosocial support, to more than 311,000 people affected by the earthquakes. UNHCR is also providing shelter support, cash assistance and other aid to those affected. In Türkiye, UNHCR has provided over 3 million relief items including tents, containers, hygiene kits, bedding and warm clothing for refugees and local residents in temporary accommodation centers. UNCHR is also supporting protection activities for more than 500,000 people – including legal counseling, identification and referral of people with specific needs, psychosocial support and cash assistance.

Syrian Refugee Camps and Settlements

Syrian refugee mother and her son inside their shelter in Tripoli, Lebanon.

More Facts About the Syrian Refugee Crisis

Syrian refugees have sought asylum in more than 130 countries, but the vast majority live in neighboring countries within the region, such as Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt.
Turkey alone hosts the largest population (over 3.6 million) and Lebanon hosts the largest number of refugees per capita in the world – 1.5 million Syrians.
Za'atari refugee camp in Jordan is home to more than 82,000 refugees. More than half of refugees in the camp are children and 23.4 percent are women.
Some 90 percent of the Syrian refugee population in Jordan, Lebanon and Egypt are in debt, borrowing money from friends and neighbors to cover their basic needs.

Make a Monthly Gift

Help Refugee Families

As a monthly donor, you will become one of our most valued partners, and you'll know that every single day you are helping to bring hope, comfort, and support to the individuals and families who need it most.

$30	$60	$89
$120

DONATE NOW

Stories from the Syria Refugee Crisis

A Year of Turmoil: Conflicts, Crises and Displacement in 2024

In 2024, new conflicts erupted, existing crises seethed and climate-fueled disasters multiplied. Here are some of the most critical situations the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, responded to in the past year.

Learn More

Photo of the Year: Top refugee photos from 2024

Each year, we have the privilege of sharing the extraordinary stories and photos of refugees and refugee allies from around the world. Here are the top six photos of 2024 and the amazing stories behind them.

Learn More

Syria Refugee Crisis Explained

After a decade of conflict, Syria remains the world’s largest refugee crisis. More than 5 million Syrians have fled their country and another 7.2 million have been internally displaced.

Learn More

Syria: UNHCR comment on asylum processing suspension and returns

While thousands of Syrians have already returned home, hundreds of thousands of others are fleeing for their lives inside the country. Both need protection and support.

Learn More

Emergencies

About the Crisis in Syria

How to Help Syrian Refugees

What is UNHCR doing to help Syrian refugees?

Syrian Refugee Camps and Settlements

Make a Monthly Gift

Help Refugee Families

Stories from the Syria Refugee Crisis

Ukraine

Central America

Europe

Iraq

South Sudan

Yemen