Assistance and financial support

This section provides information about the assistance provided by UNHCR and its partners. This section is a one‑stop resource for Syrian returnees and IDP returnees seeking UNHCR assistance inside Syria—especially cash support and linked services. It explains who can get help, how to apply, what documentation is needed, how cash is delivered, and where to ask questions or complain.

In this section

Cash assistance

If you were a Syrian refugee who has returned permanently to Syria, your family may be considered for a one-time cash grant of USD 600 from UNHCR Syria to help support your return and reintegration. Support will be prioritized for the most vulnerable households, and each case will be assessed individually in line with established eligibility criteria.

This cash grant will be provided only once per family. This means that if one person in your family has already received the assistance, no other family member registered under the same file or Family Number/Temporary Protection ID can receive it again, even if they return to Syria at a later time.

UNHCR recognizes the challenges you may face upon returning home and remains committed to provide support, within limited available resources, to Syrian returnees as they settle back home. However, due to funding constraints, cash grant cannot be provided to all returnees.  Where needed, UNHCR may facilitate referrals to other service providers to help families access additional support.

If you are found eligible for cash assistance, UNHCR will contact you directly with information on when, where and how the assistance will be delivered.  Please ensure that the WhatsApp number registered with UNHCR in the host country remains active since that’s the primary and only channel through which UNHCR Syria can communicate with you.

UNHCR services are provided free of charge. UNHCR does not ask for any payment or fees at any stage of the process. If anyone requests money or claims they can influence access to assistance, please do not respond and report the incident to the UNHCR Call Centre.

    How UNHCR will contact you?

    UNHCR will contact you only through the official WhatsApp number +41 22 355 05 61. Please follow only the instructions you receive from this number.

    Please note that this WhatsApp number is used only to send official messages from UNHCR and cannot receive calls or messages.

    How to communicate with UNHCR about cash assistance?

    To inquire about the cash assistance or to update your personal data, including new contact number in Syria, please call UNHCR Call Centre on this number [01121812333].

    UNHCR Call Centre operates from Sunday to Thursday, from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

    If your WhatsApp number registered with UNHCR is changed, or a Syrian number is added, please contact UNHCR Call Centre to update your contact information.

    If you have returned to Syria and have not been contacted by UNHCR, this maybe because   your case has not been prioritized for assistance, UNHCR Syria has not been notified of your return to Syria, or information about your documentation and/or contact number is not registered with UNHCR in the host country.

    How your data is protected?

    For more details on how your data is protected, please read UNHCR privacy notice https://help.unhcr.org/syria/unhcr-privacy-notice/

    What to do after your return?

    • Check Syria is Home for updates.
    • Visit UNHCR-supported Community Centre to get information on services/assistance available in your area of return.
    • Make sure your phone is on, and WhatsApp is working — this is how UNHCR will reach you.

    UNICEF’s cash assistance for families in vulnerable communities

    UNICEF runs a program in Syria called Cash+, which provides financial support to families in vulnerable communities. The program is available only in specific areas. To check if your location is included and whether you might be eligible:

    • Call this number: +963952535262
    • A representative will help you find out if your area is covered, if you are eligible and will guide you on the next steps

    Transportation assistance for refugee returnees

    Transportation support is currently available to returnees arriving via Bab Al Hawa and Al-Salama border crossings with Türkiye, and Joussieh border crossing with Lebanon. This support is free of charge and managed by UNHCR partners in Syria.

    Details of how to access transportation support in each of these border crossings can be found below:

    Bab Al Hawa

    After finalizing immigration procedures, buses designated by the border authority will transport returnees to Sarmada bus station located about 5 kilometres from the border crossing. Returnees in need of support with transportation to continue their journey may approach the office of NGO Namaa located inside Sarmada bus station which operates daily from 9 am to 4:30 pm. Transportation assistance is provided through vouchers that can be used at Sarmada bus station. Destinations available at the bus station include Aleppo, Idleb, Homs, Hama, Damascus, Deir ez-Zor, Al-Hasakeh, and Ar-Raqqa. Each voucher entitles each family member to one bus seat and two travel bags.

    Al-Salama

    After finalizing immigration procedures, buses designated by the border authority will transport returnees to Sejjo bus station located about 1 kilometre from the border crossing. Returnees in need of support with transportation to continue their journey may approach the office of NGO Al-Ehsan located inside Sejjo bus station which operates daily from 9 am to 4:30 pm. Transportation assistance is provided through vouchers that can be used at Sejjo bus station. Destinations available at the bus station include Aleppo, Idleb, Homs, Hama, Damascus, Rural Damascus, among others. Each voucher entitles each family member to one bus seat and one travel bag.

    Joussieh

    Transportation support is available at Joussieh border crossing through NGO Child Care Society (CCS). After finalising immigration procedures, returnees in need of transportation to continue their journey should contact CCS to request this support. CCS is present at the border daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Transportation assistance is provided after a quick assessment, through trucks available at the border up to destinations in Homs, Hama, Idleb and Aleppo governorates. Transportation to other areas in Syria can be provided on a case-by-case basis. Please take note that it’s not possible to plan the return movement in advance.

    UNHCR is committed to supporting refugees voluntarily returning to Syria and is working on scaling up its transportation assistance. Please check this page regularly for updates about transportation support.

    Other Type of Assistance

    UNHCR scaled-up community-based interventions inside Syria to support returnees both refugee returnees, internally displaced people and local communities, focusing on strengthening the resilience and enhancing access to vital services.

    Types of assistance provided by UNHCR and our partners include:

    • Legal support (for civil documentation)
    • Some medical assistive devices may be provided based on need and availability.
    • Gender-based violence (GBV) and child protection case management
    • Awareness raising on protection from sexual exploitation and abuse
    • Mental health and psycho-social support
    • Limited Multi-purpose cash assistance (based on assessed needs)
    • Livelihood support
    • Shelter support
    • Inclusive care for the elderly and persons with disabilities
    • Orientation/Referral towards other services providers, support programmes etc.

     

    Food Assistance

    The World Food Programme (WFP) provides food assistance to returnees on the move at border crossing points in close coordination with UNHCR Syria.

    WFP also offers additional support to the most vulnerable populations upon their arrival at their final destinations in Syria if they meet the eligibility criteria. This assistance includes targeted food assistance for the most vulnerable groups, nutrition programs, school feeding, and support for pregnant and breastfeeding women and girls. For more information on assistance provided by WFP, please contact WFP helpline number 0950022357 operational from Sundays to Thursdays from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.

    If you are trying to find out about available services and assistance near you, visit the Services Advisor website for Syria. You’ll be able to search and find information, including contact details and opening times, of service providers in your area.

    Reintegration Programmes

    UNHCR Syria provides assistance to Syrian refugee returnees  and Internally Displaced People (IDPs) inside Syria through a wide network of community centres and mobiles units across 14 governorates. 

    What services are available?

    The assistance and support offered by UNHCR include: 

    Protection Services

    Delivered through the UNHCR-supported community centres and mobile units– include legal assistance to access to civil documentation and housing, land and property (HLP) rights, child protection, psychosocial support services, specialized services for those living with disabilities, support to vulnerable cases, including survivors of gender-based violence.

    Assistance programmes

    UNHCR may also provide shelter, livelihood and cash assistance, as well as core relief items for cases in need, in line with established eligibility criteria.  

    For more information about community centers that provide services in Syria, please visit UNHCR Syria HELP Page.

    For available services and assistance near you, visit the Services Advisor  website for Syria. You will be able to search and find information, including contact details and opening times, of service providers in your area.

    Complaint, Suggestions and Feedback

    If you have questions or feedback about the support and services offered via the humanitarian response, or if you would like to make a request or lodge a complaint, you can do so by contacting via the channels listed below:

    Share feedback or submit a complaint about UNHCR-supported services

    If you would like to submit a feedback or complaint about UNHCR services or assistance, you can do so by: 

    • Filling out the feedback form at the bottom of this page 

    If you are ever treated inappropriately, made to feel uncomfortable, or asked for anything in exchange for aid or services, you can report it by emailing the UNHCR Inspector General’s Office. 

    All feedback and complaints are treated with strict confidentiality, meaning that all data is kept confidential and securely stored. For more information on data protection please access the Privacy Notice

    Share feedback or submit a complaint about UNICEF-supported services

    UNICEF welcomes your feedback, complaints, inquiries or suggestions – it helps us improve our services. You can contact us through any of the following channels:

    📮 Suggestion Boxes are available at all UNICEF-supported service centers.

    📞 Call Us at 0952535262 (Available Sunday to Thursday, 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM)

    📧 Email: [email protected]
    🌐 Online Feedback Platform: Complaints and Feedback Platform

    Your feedback is important to us. All comments and complaints are handled with care and confidentiality.

    Once your complaint or feedback is received, UNICEF forwards it to the relevant team within the organization. Every case is reviewed thoroughly to ensure your concern is taken seriously and handled responsibly.

    The assigned team will examine the issue, consult internally if needed, and take appropriate steps to address the problem or respond to your suggestion. If a response is requested, we will follow up with you as soon as possible.