As Syria’s new school year looms, the United Nations is urgently working to relocate over 187,000 displaced people sheltering in schools in Sweida province, where sectarian violence erupted this summer. The clashes, pitting Sunni Muslim Bedouin clans against Druze sect members, left hundreds dead, mostly Druze, and displaced thousands, with schools now serving as makeshift shelters.

The violence in Sweida has created a tense standoff between the Syrian government in Damascus and local Druze authorities, leaving displaced families in limbo. With no clear plan for their return, the government has labeled the displacement temporary but offered no concrete solutions. Adam Abdelmoula, the UN’s humanitarian coordinator for Syria, emphasized the urgency of moving these families to alternative housing, such as public buildings, youth centers, or subsidized rentals, to free up schools before classes begin.

Syria’s education system is already in tatters, with 40% of schools nationwide out of service due to the ongoing effects of the civil war. This leaves approximately 2.5 million children without access to education, a crisis exacerbated by the use of schools as shelters. The school year, which varies by region, typically starts in September, with some areas opening as early as the first week and others in mid-to-late September.

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Abdelmoula rejected proposals to relocate displaced families to camps, stating, “The last thing Syria needs is more camps.” Instead, he advocated for practical solutions like repairing homes or providing rental assistance. Since the ouster of President Bashar Assad in a rebel offensive last December, restrictions on humanitarian work have eased, with improved coordination among aid agencies and open borders with Jordan and Turkey. Damascus Airport is also operational, facilitating aid efforts.

However, a severe funding shortfall threatens these initiatives. Abdelmoula noted that 2025 has seen the lowest level of humanitarian funding for Syria, hampering efforts to support the displaced and rebuild infrastructure. As the UN races against time to ensure children can return to classrooms, the lack of resources and ongoing uncertainty in Sweida underscore the broader challenges facing Syria’s recovery from years of conflict.

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