More than a decade after the destruction and depopulation of major camps in Syria, such as Yarmouk, Khan al‑Shih, and Daraa, returns are trickling into damaged neighbourhoods where livelihoods have collapsed, basic services are scarce, and security is fragile. UNRWA’s financial crisis has further weakened a last‑resort safety net, just as Syria’s transitional authorities and municipalities struggle to include Palestinian areas in recovery plans.
Without targeted support, PRS communities risk becoming flashpoints for renewed insecurity, irregular secondary migration, and recruitment by armed actors. This paper sets out actionable programme options and funding modalities that strengthen UNRWA’s Syria operation, empower Palestinian‑led civil society, and link protection to recovery without compromising the right of dignified return and reintegration.
