New wave of displacement – new voices that have to be heard: While much of the world is busy discussing the return of Syrians, brutal violence is forcing a new group of thousands of Syrians to flee from the coastal areas of Syria to neighboring Lebanon. Since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, we have witnessed a new wave of displacement, with renewed sectarian violence, targeted persecution, and the rapid takeover of Syrians’ homes. The situation is critical and drastic: Most of those who left had to do so without warning, without documents, without possessions and are now sheltering in mosques, schools, and unfinished buildings in Lebanon.
Together with our partners in the Refugee Protection Watch (RPW) Coalition, we spoke to over 1,000 newly arrived Syrians in Lebanon about their realities and prospects. They shared insights about making the decision to leave, challenges before and after leaving, and being involved in decision-making. The report draws on conversations between March 27 to May 1, 2025 and sheds light on this community that urgently needs to be seen, heard, and supported, and that must be included in aid responses and policy decisions.
They shared with us that, for the majority, leaving was not a lightly made decision: 77% said they had no choice but to leave Syria. While 84% managed to arrive together with all their family, many came without valid papers, creating new challenges and uncertainties for the future. We see that there is a drastic lack of support for refugees, with 76% reporting having no access to aid and 79% lacking any form of support network. Respondents call for support with shelter, basic needs, jobs, and overall safety. Despite these hardships and critical circumstances, more than half still believe leaving was the right decision. And they’re not only asking for support, they want their voices in the room: 60% want their perspectives shared in meetings and events. 1 in 4 respondents want to speak directly to decision-makers.
Read the full report below.