GENEVA (TDI): The UN migration agency announced Thursday that it is increasing its aid for Syria to $73.2 million, aiming to support over 1.1 million people across the country in the next six months.
In a statement, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) explained that the expanded appeal comes as Syria enters a new phase following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government.
“IOM is dedicated to assisting the people of Syria during this pivotal time as the nation recovers from nearly 14 years of conflict,” said IOM Director General Amy Pope.
The Geneva-based agency highlighted that it is working to reestablish its presence in Syria after leaving Damascus in 2020.
This initiative builds on IOM’s two decades of experience in the country, as well as its cross-border operations over the last decade, delivering aid to northwest Syria.
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The funds raised will be used to provide essential relief items, cash assistance, shelter, protection services, as well as access to water, sanitation, hygiene, and healthcare.
Additionally, IOM will offer early recovery support for individuals on the move, including displaced people, those preparing to relocate, those in transit, or those newly arrived in new communities.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that by the end of 2024, nearly 500,000 returns of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have been recorded in northwest Syria.
The Syrian conflict has caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands and displaced millions, both within the country and abroad.
Before the recent developments, OCHA estimated that 7.4 million people were displaced within Syria, with 2.3 million living in camps. Overall, 16.7 million Syrians rely on humanitarian aid.
IOM is also reactivating its Displacement Tracking Matrix, which will enable comprehensive assessments of the country’s needs and mobility.
This data will support the 2025 Humanitarian Programme Cycle, coordinated by OCHA, guiding future humanitarian and development planning.
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In a related development, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and allied groups launched a swift offensive in December, capturing Damascus on December 8 and ousting Bashar al-Assad.
The new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has expressed that Syria is exhausted by the war and no longer poses a threat to its neighbors or the West. He has also called for the lifting of international sanctions imposed on the country.
