More than 125,000 people have crossed from Lebanon into Syria as of 17 March, according to the latest data from the Displacement Tracking Matrix of the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Around half of those crossing are children, highlighting the growing humanitarian concerns linked to the movement of families across the border. Most arrivals are Syrian nationals returning to the country, while approximately 7,000 are Lebanese, reflecting the wider regional impact of the conflict.
The IOM has called on the international community to urgently increase support to address immediate humanitarian needs, strengthen preparedness and prevent the situation from deteriorating further. Amy Pope, Director General of IOM, warned that the risk of a much larger displacement crisis is increasing and that response capacities inside Syria and across the region must be rapidly expanded to meet rising needs.
The growing number of arrivals is placing additional strain on Syria’s already fragile infrastructure and public services, which have been weakened by more than a decade of crisis. Key destinations such as Ar-Raqqa, Damascus and Homs are experiencing increasing pressure as more people arrive, raising concerns that local systems may struggle to cope and that further internal displacement could occur.
Arrivals are spread across several locations in the country. Around 21 percent of those entering Syria have reached Ar-Raqqa, many settling in remote areas where access to food, water and healthcare remains limited. Others are gathering in densely populated urban areas around Damascus, further intensifying the demand for essential services.
Across all affected areas, families are arriving with little or no resources. Cash assistance is among the most urgent needs, along with food, shelter and healthcare. Many displaced people have already exhausted their coping mechanisms after years of hardship.
The IOM emphasized that population movements must remain safe, voluntary and dignified, and noted that the scale of arrivals—particularly the high proportion of children—requires an urgent response focused on protection and humanitarian support.
