Lebanon speeds up refugee returns as Syrian coast drives reverse flow

In recent months, Lebanon has witnessed a sharp escalation in debate over the Syrian refugee file, amid growing signs that large numbers of refugees are preparing to leave the country, whether through organized programs or individual initiatives. The shift reflects a mix of economic and social pressures inside Lebanon and security and livelihood concerns within Syria, making the issue once again a central domestic and international priority.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun informed UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi that Lebanon wants the displaced Syrians to return home as quickly as possible once the reasons for their displacement have ceased. Aoun urged UNHCR to begin organizing convoys of returnees, while calling on the international community to provide the financial and humanitarian support necessary to facilitate this process.

At the same time, the Ministry of Social Affairs announced that around 162,000 refugee files were closed after their holders left Lebanon, while roughly 71,000 additional requests for return were submitted. At the end of July 2025, the first trip within the voluntary return program was carried out under the supervision of UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), with 71 refugees returning to Syria.

Launch of the Voluntary return program

Speaking to The Beiruter, UNHCR spokesperson Lisa Abou Khaled confirmed that the Exchange of Letters signed on July 1, 2025, between the Lebanese government and UNHCR “formally outlined the roles, responsibilities, and operational process for the voluntary return program, thereby officially launching it in cooperation with the Inter-Ministerial Committee.”

She explained that the program includes two integrated tracks:

Self-organized voluntary return, where registered refugees who express readiness to return receive counselling, information, and a UNHCR cash grant before arranging their journey independently through official crossing points.

Organized voluntary return, jointly supported by UNHCR and IOM, where registered refugees receive information, services, financial support, and transportation back to Syria arranged by IOM.

Abou Khaled revealed that interest in the program has been high:

As of 31 August, more than 110,000 individuals have registered their willingness to return and received counselling on the steps and implications. This is a very positive sign, given that the program only began in July. In parallel, more than 230,000 individuals were inactivated from UNHCR’s records in Lebanon this year alone due to verified or presumed returns, most of whom went back to Syria even before receiving UNHCR support

Support and challenges

On the type of support available, Abou Khaled stressed: “We provide subsistence assistance of $100 per person in Lebanon to support their journey, as well as guidance on personal documentation such as IDs, school certificates, or birth records. Once back in Syria, vulnerable families are eligible for an additional $400 per household to ease reintegration.”

She added that UNHCR’s work is guided by refugee choice: “The voluntary, safe, and dignified return to their country is the ideal solution for any refugee crisis. We are guided by what refugees themselves tell us, and an increasing number are now choosing to return. But many remain hesitant due to safety, access to services, and unresolved property issues. For them, UNHCR will continue to provide protection and assistance in Lebanon, while also working inside Syria to make conditions more sustainable for future returns.”

On funding, Abou Khaled admitted that the agency faces serious constraints:

This year has been particularly difficult for UNHCR in terms of funding, but our priority remains ensuring that the most vulnerable groups in Lebanon continue to receive essential support. Despite the financial challenges, the return program remains a core element of our work

Local perspectives

Mohammad Hamra, head of Lebanon’s Syrian Return Committee, estimated that around 400,000 refugees have returned since 2011, stressing that returns never completely stopped despite political and economic challenges. He explained that many families delayed departure until after the school year but have since resumed leaving, reflecting a more organized, voluntary approach. Those who remain are mainly labor permit holders or families waiting for economic conditions in Syria to stabilize.

At the same time, Hamra highlighted a new wave of illegal migration from Syria to Lebanon in recent weeks, driven by worsening security along the Syrian coast. New arrivals have spread across Wadi Khaled, Zahle, Beirut, Jounieh, Akkar, and Sidon. He noted that this dual reality, simultaneous returns and new inflows, underscores the complexity of the refugee crisis and the need for a balanced response that considers humanitarian needs alongside national interests.

A fragile balance

Despite the official push, international rights groups continue voicing concern over insufficient guarantees for safe return, citing fragile infrastructure in Syria and fears of reprisals in certain regions. Between Lebanon’s determination to reduce refugee numbers and the UN’s caution against unsafe or premature returns, the Syrian refugee file remains one of the most sensitive and complex issues in Lebanon today, where politics and humanity intersect, and a country in search of stability meets a displaced people still searching for refuge.