Update: Durable Solutions for Syrian Refugees
The May/June update on durable solutions for Syrian refugees focuses on the Global Compact for Refugees, UNHCR’s Comprehensive Protection and Solutions Strategy for Syrian refugees, and Housing Land and Property in Syria.
Introduction and global developments
The conflict in Syria continues to drive the largest displacement crisis in the world. There are over 5.6 million refugees across the region and over six million people remain internally displaced. While the necessary safeguards and access required under international law for the UN to organise or encourage voluntary repatriation are not yet in place in Syria, UNHCR continues to work on identifying and removing the obstacles to refugee returns in safety and dignity and on supporting host countries to maintain a dignified protection space. Simultaneously, UNHCR is advocating for more resettlement places and other pathways to third countries for the many thousands of refugees in dire need of such a solution.
Global developments also illustrate the importance given to the search for and achievement of durable solutions for Syrian and other refugees. A key component of the ongoing formal consultations on the draft text of the Global Compact on Refugees aims to ensure “a more equitable sharing of the burden and responsibility for hosting and supporting the world’s refugees” including through bringing greater predictability, and engaging a wider range of States and stakeholders, for the achievement of solutions. The sixth and final round of formal consultations will take place in the first week of July. Thereafter, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees will formally propose the Global Compact in his 2018 annual report to the General Assembly.