Forced Migration - Syria

Displacement in Syria

More than half of Syria's population has been displaced by the war. (13.3 million people)

Location of Syria

Syria is in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Israel, and the Mediterranean Sea.

Cause of Syrian Migration

Ongoing armed conflict between government forces and opposition, starting in 2011 after protests against corruption and lack of political freedom.

Start of Syrian Civil War

In March 2011, peaceful protests began but were met with deadly force by President Bashar al-Assad’s government, escalating into civil war.

Deaths and Displacement

The Syrian conflict has led to over 500,000 deaths and displaced 13.3 million people, over half of Syria's pre-war population.

Internally Displaced Syrians

6.7 million people are displaced within Syria, while 5.5 million refugees have fled to neighboring countries.

Largest Refugee Host Türkiye

Türkiye hosts over 3.6 million Syrian refugees, the largest refugee population hosted by a single country.

Germany and Syrian Refugees

Germany is the largest non-neighboring host country, with over 522,500 Syrian refugees.

Children in Syria

More than 2 million Syrian children are out of school, and 1.6 million are at risk of dropping out; many girls are forced into early marriages.

Environmental Impact of War in Syria

Bombings have flattened land, making it difficult to cultivate crops; wildlife and ecosystems are destroyed, and water is limited or polluted.

Zaatari Refugee Camp

Jordan's Zaatari refugee camp, 10 km from the Syrian border, is home to 80,000 people, making it the largest refugee camp in the Middle East. Also 20,000 births.

Water Scarcity in Jordan

Jordan is the second most water-scarce country globally, and water is precious but insufficient to meet daily needs in refugee camps.

Living Conditions in Zaatari

Many live in tents with limited sanitation, causing health hazards such as raw sewage contaminating surrounding areas.

Urban Refugees in Jordan

Many refugees flee camps for urban areas, straining public resources as they cannot receive aid from the UN or donors.

Economic Strain in Jordan

The influx of refugees has driven up food prices, tripled rents, and increased competition for jobs, lowering wages and creating tensions.

Lebanon and Syrian Refugees

Lebanon has the highest number of refugees per capita, putting immense strain on its infrastructure, economy, and society.

Child Labor in Lebanon

Most Syrian refugees in Lebanon live in poverty, and child labor is common.

Syrian Refugees in Türkiye

Syrian refugees initially settled in camps in Southeastern Türkiye but have since spread across the country with work permits since 2016.

Syrian Businesses in Türkiye

Since 2016, 1599 new companies have been started by Syrian refugees in Türkiye.