Urgent and Sustained Global Support Needed to Build on New Dawn says IOM Chief Visiting Syria

Damascus, 17 December 2024 – International Organization for Migration (IOM) Director General Amy Pope has reaffirmed IOM’s strong commitment to Syria, offering vital support to address the country’s massive humanitarian needs, foster recovery, and stabilize communities.  

On her arrival in Damascus yesterday (16 December) – one of the first visits by a United Nations agency lead since the fall of the Assad Government – DG Pope met officials of the caretaker authority, United Nations representatives, and civil society groups.

“This is a moment of great hope and historic opportunity for the people of Syria, who have endured so much suffering and upheaval in over 14 years of devastating conflict,” said DG Pope.

“While the challenges are immense, the international community must support Syrians to rebuild their lives and secure a better future.”

This morning, DG Pope briefed donor countries, partners, and diplomatic missions on the ongoing re-establishment of IOM’s presence in Syria, with the first surge team already deployed to Damascus. She also called on the international community to support UN system-wide scale-up and mobilize resources for the return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees, so when conditions are met, organized and voluntary returns can be supported.

Since the conflict began in March 2011, Syria has experienced immense destruction and widespread displacement. Over six million Syrians have left the country, while 5.5 million remain displaced within its borders. Seventeen million people still require aid, and 90 per cent of the entire population lives below the poverty line.  Thousands of Syrian refugees who escaped the war are now returning home, many others are assessing whether circumstances on the ground would allow a safe return. According to IOM partners who conducted rapid assessments, some 250,000 people returned home in the past week 100,000 of them from outside the country.

Those who stayed during the war years witnessed unimaginable levels of violence and destruction. Whole cities lie in ruins, and communities have been scattered. Since 2014 IOM has been operating in Syria providing vital aid to displaced communities including shelter, essential supplies, water and sanitation, camp management, protection and cash assistance. Additionally, IOM has been a vital provider of humanitarian data.  Through its main cross-border hub in Gaziantep, IOM has served as a lifeline for millions, including after the devastating February 2023 earthquakes.

A new IOM appeal is seeking USD 30 million over the next four months to assist 684,100 affected individuals in Northwest Syria. IOM aims to ensure immediate and continued assistance to at-risk and vulnerable groups among those already displaced, as well as to newly displaced or returning groups – with particular focus on providing timely assistance during the current winter period.

IOM and partners are looking at expanding humanitarian support to the whole of Syria, assisting the government in ensuring stability.

“We cannot let Syria down at this moment of great hope and fragility”, said DG Pope. “IOM is committed to standing with the Syrian people to address immediate and longer-term needs and supporting them on the road to recovery and lasting peace.”

For more information please contact:    

In Cairo: Joe Lowry, jlowry@iom.int

In Geneva: Kennedy Okoth, kokoth@iom.int