Flash Update on the Influx of Syrian Returnees and Refugees from Lebanon to Syria #2 - September 2024

Between 27 to 29 September, hostilities in Lebanon escalated, leading to a significant rise in the number of people crossing into Syria, including both Syrian returnees and Lebanese refugees. Approximately 100,000 people crossed the border during this period, with 60 percent being Syrian and 40 percent Lebanese. Most of those fleeing are women, children, and people with disabilities, with around 50 percent under the age of 18. The majority are being hosted by extended families and local communities across governorates such as Homs, Hama, Tartous, and Damascus. Collective shelters have been established for a small number of Lebanese refugees, with fully operational facilities in Tartous and additional shelters being set up in Lattakia, Homs, and Rural Damascus.

In response, UNFPA and its partners are rapidly expanding sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and gender-based violence (GBV) services for the incoming Syrian and Lebanese populations. Ten Integrated Mobile Teams (IMTs) have been deployed to provide SRH and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services, while static SRH and GBV facilities are operational in key areas such as Rural Damascus, Homs, Daraa, and Tartous. UNFPA is also leading efforts to assess gaps in SRH services and coordinate with partners to distribute emergency supplies and mitigate GBV risks. Preparations for a comprehensive GBV risk assessment are underway, in coordination with key actors like OCHA, UNHCR, and the Inter-Sector Coordination Group (ISCG).