Ammon News - The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has revealed that more than 203,500 registered Syrian refugees have returned from Jordan to Syria between December 8, 2024, and June 30, 2026, as the agency continues to support voluntary returns while providing humanitarian assistance to refugees who remain in the Kingdom.

According to UNHCR's operational update covering the period from April to June 2026, the pace of returns accelerated in recent months. Around 5,000 returns were recorded by the end of May, rising to nearly 6,900 returns in June, indicating growing interest in voluntary repatriation.

The report stated that Jordan was hosting approximately 393,000 registered refugees as of June 30, 2026. About 80% live in host communities, while 20% reside in refugee camps. Children account for nearly half of the refugee population.

As part of humanitarian response planning, Jordan's Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation began preparing the 2026–2028 Refugee Response Strategic Framework in April, with active participation from UNHCR. The initiative aims to improve the efficiency of humanitarian efforts amid funding constraints, with support for voluntary returns identified as a key priority.

In June, UNHCR also published the findings of the 2026 Socio-Economic Survey of Refugees in Jordan, conducted in cooperation with the World Bank and the World Food Programme. The survey covered a representative sample of 4,905 refugee households, comprising 24,752 refugees living in camps and host communities.

The survey found that economic vulnerability remains high, with approximately 66% of refugees living below the poverty line, defined as 89 Jordanian dinars per person per month, highlighting the ongoing financial challenges facing refugee families.

To support voluntary returns, UNHCR continued providing cash assistance of $100 per eligible family member, in addition to transportation services. In April, the agency launched an extra $300 cash grant per household for the most vulnerable families. Requests for transportation assistance increased in June, coinciding with the end of the school year.

The report also noted that 376 refugees departed Jordan for resettlement in third countries during the same period.