By : News Editor
Jordan Daily - Nearly 196,000 registered Syrian refugees have voluntarily returned from Jordan to Syria since Dec. 8, 2024, through the end of May 2026, a spokesperson for the U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR) said on Tuesday.
Yousef Taha told Al Mamlaka TV that the pace of returns had increased this year, with around 20,000 refugees returning since the start of 2026, including about 5,000 in May alone.
Taha said UNHCR had received only 24% of its 2026 funding requirements for Jordan. The agency needs $280 million this year but has secured just $66 million so far, reflecting a broader decline in donor contributions over the past two years.
He said lower return numbers earlier this year were linked to winter weather and the school calendar, adding that returns were expected to rise after the end of the academic year.
UNHCR's 2026 strategy focuses on continuing support for refugees remaining in Jordan while assisting those who choose to return voluntarily to Syria, Taha noted.
The agency continues to provide protection, legal and registration services, documentation support, healthcare and cash assistance both inside and outside refugee camps.
UNHCR also maintains a free transportation program for returning refugees and provides financial assistance, including JOD 70 Jo per person for residents of the Zaatari and Azraq camps, alongside a pilot program offering about $300 to some of the most vulnerable returnees.
Jordan still hosts more than 410,000 refugees registered with UNHCR, including about 329,000 Syrians, Taha said.
