2.6.7. Conflict-induced displacement and return

Table of contents

According to IOM’s population movement assessment, the IDP population in Homs governorate only slightly decreased between February 2025 (about 129 000 or 9 % of a total population of approximately 1.43 million)799 and April 2026 (about 126 610 or 8 % of a total population of approximately 1.58 million).800

UNHCR estimated that as of 21 May 2026, 182 585 individuals had returned to locations in Homs governorate from internal displacement since December 2024.801 Within the same period, 206 650 individuals had returned to the governorate from abroad.802 By the end of April 2026, UNHCR noted that the majority of those returning were Syrians, mostly families, with Homs governorate among the top four provinces of intended returns.803 Similarly, in March 2026, Homs governorate was one of the three governorates receiving the highest shares of arrivals from abroad.804

  • 799

    IOM, Syrian Arab Republic – Community Baseline Assessment – Round 1 – February 2025, 6 March 2025, url, p. 8

  • 800

    IOM, Syrian Arab Republic – Population Mobility and Baseline Assessment – Round 15 – April 2026, 18 May 2026, url, p. 7

  • 801

    UNHCR, Syrian Arab Republic: Comprehensive Overview of IDPs and IDP Returns Dashboard [Map], 21 May 2026, url

  • 802

    UNHCR, Syrian Arab Republic: Comprehensive Overview of Refugee Returns Dashboard [Map], 21 May 2026, url

  • 803

    UNHCR, Middle East Situation as of 29 April 2026, 30 April 2026, url, p. 4

  • 804

    IOM, Syrian Arab Republic – Population Mobility and Baseline Assessment – Round 14 – March 2026, 16 April 2026, url, p. 6