Jan 19, Kathmandu- Following the overthrow of long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad in Syria, nearly 200,000 refugees have returned home under the initiative of the interim government and supporting international organizations. 

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi confirmed that nearly 200,000 Syrian refugees have returned to their country since December last year.

According to figures posted on social media by Grandi on X, 195,200 Syrians have returned home as of January 16, following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's government on December 8, 2024.

He also announced plans to visit Syria and neighboring countries to address refugee management.

​Although no timeline has been specified, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN refugee agency, will gradually unveil a timetable for strengthening support for refugees and for the return and management of refugees.

Meanwhile, according to the UNHCR, more than 550,000 Syrians have returned to their country in 2024. The largest share of the returnees is said to be from the northern Aleppo province.

While many Syrian refugees have expressed interest in returning home, a report released by the UNHCR on Friday said there were mixed feelings. Many of them stressed the need for financial and logistical assistance to enable them to return and rebuild their lives and homes inside Syria.

In response, the report states that UNHCR and its partners have put forward an inter-agency plan for the repatriation of refugees.

The body also stressed the importance of sustainable funding and protection programs for both refugees and the communities that host them.