In 2025, the world witnessed a significant surge in the return of displaced persons, with nearly 15 million individuals returning to their places of origin, marking the largest recorded return by the United Nations. Among these, over three million displaced people returned to Syria following the fall of the al-Assad regime in 2024.
The journey home, while symbolizing a return to one’s country, was also a testament to the immense physical, emotional, financial, and mental toll faced by those returning. Hiam, a 37-year-old Syrian returnee, described the experience as “beautiful “yet “very exhausting, “highlighting the profound changes that awaited them upon their return.
The UNHCR’s Global Trends report noted a decline in forced displacement, driven by these large-scale returns.
However, the number of refugees under UNHCR’s mandate, including those in a refugee-like situation and others in need of international protection, fell by nearly 1. 2 million people to 35. 6 million at the end of 2025.
The challenges faced by returnees were varied and complex.
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), ongoing insecurity hindered the return of refugees, yet nearly 800 Congolese refugees returned voluntarily in 2025, up from 578 in 2024.
The return process was not without its difficulties. Many returnees found their homes unrecognizable, and the communities they once knew had undergone significant changes.
The economic and social impact of displacement was profound, and the process of rebuilding lives was daunting.
As the world marked World Refugee Day on June 20, the stories of those who had returned offered a glimpse into the complex reality of displacement and return.
The UNHCR’s efforts to support these individuals in reintegrating into their communities were crucial.
The return of millions of displaced people was a significant development, but it underscored the ongoing need for support and assistance as they rebuild their lives in safety and dignity.
The resilience of those who sought refuge in different parts of the world was evident, yet the journey home was far from over.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
—
This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: aljazeera
Source: Mohamed Hussein and Hanna Duggal
