The International Organization for Migration (IOM) welcomed the approval granted by Syria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, which enables the organization to re-establish its official presence in the country, expand its humanitarian operations, and support recovery efforts across Syria.
IOM Director General Amy Pope confirmed in a statement published on the organization’s official website on Monday, August 4, that this step will enhance cooperation with Syrian authorities to provide broader and better-coordinated assistance, especially amid ongoing humanitarian and development challenges after 14 years of conflict. More than 13 million people remain in need of assistance, including 6.8 million internally displaced persons.
The IOM has been providing life-saving assistance in northwestern Syria since 2014 and has played a role in delivering essential humanitarian aid to vulnerable communities.
The announcement comes following an official letter from the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, granting the IOM approval to expand its operations within Syria.
According to the statement, IOM plans to broaden its programs to support national efforts in enhancing migration governance and combating human trafficking, in collaboration with relevant national institutions. The organization also aims to engage the Syrian diaspora in national recovery and reconstruction efforts.
The IOM will also work to expand its Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) to provide timely and reliable data on population movements and evolving needs.
These initiatives will help strengthen institutional capacities, promote safe and orderly migration, and contribute to Syria’s long-term recovery and resilience, alongside emergency assistance.
The IOM called on the international community to increase support for Syria’s recovery, emphasizing the importance of sustained donor engagement to help Syrians rebuild their lives and communities with safety, dignity, and hope.
Return of Syrians Tied to Investment
Amy Pope, the Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), previously linked the return of Syrians to the level of investment in the country and warned of a resurgence in refugee flows if investment is absent.
As reported by Euronews on 18 March, Pope stated that discussions on the return of Syrian refugees should not occur in isolation from the broader economic and political context.
She stressed the need for countries to invest in Syria’s transitional phase following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, warning that failure to do so could lead to future waves of migration.
Pope encouraged nations to engage in what she described as genuine investment in peacebuilding and the revival of Syria, as well as support for humanitarian assistance. She cautioned that if Syrians are exposed to violence or feel unsafe upon return, they are likely to flee again.
She added, “If people return to their homes and find nothing left, no humanitarian assistance, no investment in rebuilding their communities, this reality will likely reach Syrians abroad and affect their decisions to return.”
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