IOM’s population movements assessments in Syria, which started as of February 2025, show that there was a slight increase in the IDP population between February 2025 (around 2.04 million out of a total population of approximately 5.37 million, 38 %)1113 and April 2026 (around 2.24 million out of a total population of approximately 5.74 million, 39 %).1114 According to UNHCR estimates, about 213 000 people returned from abroad1115 and about 82 000 IDPs1116 returned to the governorate as of 21 May 2026.
According to IOM, about 46 000 returnees arrived in the governorate in October 2025.1117 According to UNHCR, from 2 to 27 March 2026, about 95 000 people from Lebanon crossed the Jdeidat Yabous border into Rural Damascus.1118
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IOM, Syrian Arab Republic – Community Baseline Assessment – Round 1 – February 2025, 6 March 2025, url, p. 8
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IOM, Syrian Arab Republic – Population Mobility and Baseline Assessment – Round 15 – April 2026, 18 May 2026, url, p. 7
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UNHCR, Syrian Arab Republic: Comprehensive Overview of Refugee Returns Dashboard [Map], 21 May 2026, url
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UNHCR, Syrian Arab Republic: Comprehensive Overview of IDPs and IDP Returns Dashboard [Map], 21 May 2026, url
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IOM, Syrian Arab Republic – Population Mobility and Baseline Assessment – Round 9 – October 2025, 10 November 2025, url, p. 7
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UNHCR, UNHCR Syria: Flash Update - Middle East Situation (27 March 2026), 29 March 2026, url, p. 1