UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees Kelly T. Clements concluded a five-day visit to Lebanon and Syria, emphasizing the urgent need for international support to bring peace and stability to Syria and to end the displacement and suffering of millions of Syrians. She also called for continued assistance to countries hosting Syrian refugees, particularly Lebanon, which has shouldered a significant refugee burden.
During her visit, Clements met with both returning Syrian refugees and newly arrived refugees in Lebanon. In the Bekaa Valley, she engaged with refugees contemplating return, listening to their hopes, concerns, and aspirations for rebuilding their lives in Syria. Since the fall of the Assad government, approximately 850,000 Syrians have returned from neighboring countries, and UNHCR has stepped up support to ensure their return is dignified and sustainable, including through financial assistance and transportation.
In Lebanon, Clements met with high-level officials including Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri, Director General of General Security Major General Hassan Choucair, and Minister of Social Affairs Haneen El Sayed. She expressed appreciation for Lebanon’s continued generosity in hosting Syrian refugees and reaffirmed UNHCR’s commitment to supporting the voluntary return of refugees. Close to 200,000 Syrian refugees returned from Lebanon in 2025, with many more expected to return in the coming months, aided by temporary waivers of exit fees for those who overstayed their residency.
Clements also met newly arrived refugees in Lebanon who had fled recent violence in Syria. She highlighted the dynamic nature of displacement, noting that while some Syrians are returning home, others continue to be displaced. She stressed that international support is essential to ensure returns are voluntary, safe, and dignified, while continuing to assist those still in neighboring countries.
In Syria, Clements met with Social Affairs and Labor Minister Hind Kabawat, as well as governors and returning refugees in Homs, Idleb, and rural Damascus. She observed firsthand the resilience of Syrians determined to rebuild their lives despite widespread destruction and limited services after 14 years of conflict. UNHCR and partners have expanded support in areas with high numbers of returnees, providing shelter, small business support, and essential services to help communities stabilize.
In Idleb Governorate, Clements inaugurated a rehabilitated Civil Registry Office in Maaret Al Nouman, facilitating access to documentation for returnees and residents. At the Joussieh border crossing, she engaged with refugees returning for the first time in years, underscoring the importance of ongoing international engagement.
Clements stressed that the international community must move beyond observation, actively supporting stabilization and recovery efforts to help Syrians rebuild their country. Since 2024, over 1.2 million Syrians have returned from abroad, while 1,763,513 internally displaced people have returned to their homes within Syria, including 880,058 from northern IDP sites, highlighting both progress and the continuing need for international support.
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