The 2025 Syrian refugee return plan was orchestrated by the Lebanese government, along with the UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in order to create a suitable solution for the Syrian refugees living in Lebanon. The Organized Voluntary Return Plan was launched in July 2025, aiming to help between 200,000 and 400,000 refugees to return to their homes in Syria. The plan was led by Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri and carried out by Lebanon's General Security.
The Syrian civil war that began in 2011 caused many Syrians to seek refuge mainly in bordering countries. Over the years more than 1.5 million Syrians crossed the border into Lebanon. [1] Since then Lebanon's troubled economy shrank a lot, with its total income (GDP) dropping from $54.9 billion in 2018 to about $17.9 billion in 2023. The Lebanese liquidity crisis along with political troubles and rising tensions caused many Lebanese people to call for the return of Syrian refugees to Syria. [2] [3] According to the World Bank, the yearly cost on Lebanon's frale economy is about $1.5billion, which additionally strains Lebanon's public infrastructure such as: water, sanitation, health, and education. These public utilities were already at a critical point before the arrival of the refugees. [4] Following the fall of the Assad regime, the 2025 plan has supported efforts to manage returns in a legal and organized way. [5]
The plan's goal is to help between 200,000 and 400,000 Syrian refugees to return to their homes in 2025, including up to 5,000 Palestinian refugees who came from Syria. [6] Refugees can sign up to return through official programs and receive help such as legal forgiveness, money support, and transport or other practical assistance. [7] [5]
From mid-July 2025 the return plan became operational, more than 17,000 refugees voluntarily registered through the appropriate channels designated governmental and UNHCR, in order to return to Syria. [1] [8] Those who registered get transported in convoys to the Lebanese border points. Every refugee receives US$100 when they leave Lebanon and families can get another US$400 as they arrive in Syria. [9] [10] [1] [5] In addition Syrian and Palestinian refugees who return to Syria up to September 30, 2025, will receive amnesty, meaning that they won't have to pay fines for staying without legal papers or face bans from coming back. The time limit for this rule might be extended if the government decides to do so. [1] [11] [6]
The plan is operated and managed by a group of government ministers, led by Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri. [1] Lebanon's General Security help refugees leave Lebanon and handle all off their paperwork, while the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) helps by providing legal advice, signing people up, and making sure that they leave and get back to Syria in a safe manner. [6] [1] [5] In addition to this, In July 2025, the UNHCR also launched its own independent return program, which gives refugees safety advice and financial aid in order to help them return to Syria. [8]
For years the Lebanese people have had strained relations with Syrian refugees. This is largely due to economic, social, and political stresses. Many believe that Syrian refugees the cause of the economic crisis in Lebanon, as their presence puts pressure on public services. [12] [5] Many people in Lebanon see the plan as a well-organized way to deal with the country's refugee crisis. [9] However, International human rights groups and refugee supporters have raised serious concerns regarding the plan. [1] [5] They argue that because of Lebanon's tough economy and unclear legal situation, some refugees might feel forced to return even if they don't feel safe to do so. [5] They also warn that Syria is still not safe, with dangers such as arbitrary arrests, conscription, or the threat of losing their homes being prevalent. [12] Critics also claim that the plan doesn't have strong ways to verify if people are truly choosing to return or if they'll be safe once they go back to Syria. The UNHCR stresses that returns should always be voluntary, safe and respectful, with it stating that they will continue to watch the situation in Lebanon and Syria closely. [12] [5]
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