disaster
World Refugee Day: Almost 2 million children estimated to have returned to “unliveable conditions” in Syria in 18 months
By Save the Children at ReliefWeb
· June 18, 2026
· 5 min read
. Ahead of World Refugee Day, the child rights organisation fears the large scale of returns creates the illusion that conditions are safe after the end of 14 years of conflict in December 2024, putting pressure on Syrians to return [2]. An estimated 953,000 children are among more than 1.6 million
Key takeaway An estimated 953,000 children are among more than 1.
Why this matters
The large-scale return of refugees to Syria, including an estimated 1.02 million children, raises concerns about the long-term sustainability of these returns. Despite the end of conflict, basic services and infrastructure remain severely weakened, leaving families vulnerable to further displacement. The fact that nearly two-thirds of families reported finding their homes damaged or destroyed, and struggling with low access to water and electricity, highlights the immense challenges faced by returnees. The risks faced by children, particularly adolescent girls and those with disabilities, are especially alarming. With only 57% of hospitals and 37% of primary health centres fully functional, the healthcare needs of returnees are unlikely to be met. As the international community marks World Refugee Day, it is crucial to recognize that the return of refugees does not necessarily mean that conditions are safe or that humanitarian needs have been met. Ongoing support is necessary to ensure that returnees can rebuild their lives and access essential services.
About this story
Original reporting by ReliefWeb . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: disaster ·
Published: June 18, 2026 ·
Source: ReliefWeb ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? . Ahead of World Refugee Day, the child rights organisation fears the large scale of returns creates the illusion that conditions are safe after the end of 14 years of conflict in December 2024, putting pressure on Syrians to return [2]. An estimated 953,000 children are among more than 1.6 million
When was this published? This article was first published on June 18, 2026 by ReliefWeb and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Save the Children at ReliefWeb. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more disaster coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .