Syrian Displacement and the Prospects of Return

On Dec. 8, 2024, the world watched as Bashar al-Assad’s regime fell following the takeover of Syria by the opposition group led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham. The 2011 uprising and subsequent 13-year civil war devastated the country, forcing more than 6 million Syrians to flee abroad, mostly to neighboring countries and Europe, and displacing another 7 million internally. As Syria enters a new phase under a transitional government, refugees now face the difficult decision of whether to return home.

This event will feature a panel of experts who will explore the following questions:

• How has Syrian displacement affected regional politics, societal shifts, and global refugee protection policies?
• What choices do Syrian refugees displaced both abroad and internally face today?
• How has more than a decade of war impacted the humanitarian conditions in Syria and the prospects for refugee return?

This discussion will provide valuable insights into the long-term consequences of the Syrian conflict, the challenges of global displacement, and the future of refugee reintegration. This event will be co-hosted by the Baker Institute Edward P. Djerejian Center for the Middle East and Every Shelter, a Houston-based humanitarian design firm focused on solutions for generational displacement. It is free and open to the public.

More information can be found on the event webpage.

Host or Publisher Rice University's Baker Institute