220,000 Syrian Refugees Voluntarily Return from Jordan to Syria

Altaj News –

The number of Syrian refugees who have voluntarily returned from Jordan to Syria between December 8, 2024, and August 24, 2026, has reached around 220,000 refugees registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UNHCR spokesperson Youssef Taha said.

Taha said that around 45,000 Syrian refugees have returned to Syria since the beginning of this year, noting that the pace of returns has increased following the end of the school year and improved weather conditions.

He added that 59% of those returning did so as complete families, while 41% returned partially, with some family members returning. The weekly average stands at around 1,300 refugees, with daily peaks ranging between 200 and 344 returnees.

Syrian refugees account for around 92% of the total number of refugees and asylum seekers registered with UNHCR in Jordan, numbering approximately 350,000 out of nearly 375,000 refugees.

Taha noted that around 79.1% of refugees live in urban areas and host communities, totaling 300,097 refugees, while 20.9% live in camps, totaling 79,226 refugees.

UNHCR has also introduced a new pilot phase under its voluntary refugee return program at the Zaatari and Azraq camps, providing vulnerable families with an additional $300 in assistance, equivalent to JD 210, in response to the growing demand for return.

This assistance comes in addition to the basic cash assistance of JD 70 per returning individual, provided as a one-time payment to cover immediate return expenses such as transportation, document processing, and medication.

According to UNHCR, the additional support is limited to families most in need, including those with persons with disabilities, serious medical conditions, or children with special needs, as well as families with single parents or caregivers, or eight or more members, who hold valid asylum documents and choose to return to Syria.