Twelve years after the start of the Syrian crisis, over 740,762 UNHCR registered refugees (660,022 Syrians; 1.3 million according to the GoJ) in Jordan are facing deteriorating economic and living conditions, while global and regional crises are undermining the Kingdom’s economy, and much needed international aid is dwindling. Despite Jordan’s stretched resources, the international community is yet to fulfill their commitments. For the first quarter of 2023, only 10% (compare to 18% in 1st quarter 2021 and 13% 1st quarter of 2022) of the amount is secured for the Jordan Response Plan is $98.04 million USD out of 942.50 million USD requirement[i]. (Figures and requirement related to refugee response for direct budget support to government of Jordan is not yet known for 2023.)
According to UNHCR’s Vulnerability Assessment Framework for the last quarter of 2022, 90% of the refugee households have remained indebted, with most resorting to negative coping mechanisms to sustain their basic needs. While the International Monetary Fund flagged unprecedented unemployment levels in the Kingdom which last year stood at 22.6%, with youth unemployment reaching almost 50%.
“Recognizing that the majority of Refugees may not return to Syria in the near future, it is important to prioritize creating safe and dignified options, while embracing the diversity and resilience refugees bring to their current homes.” JIF Steering Committee.
The recent regional reconciliation efforts with the Syrian government resurfaced questions regarding the voluntary return of Syrian refugees, however, UNHCR stats show that 97%[ii] of Syrian refugees in Jordan do not see themselves returning next year. In light of the current economic and security situations in Syria, and the absence of a political solution it could be years before the circumstances of a safe return are met.
Despite the difficult conditions that refugees are facing, they continue to show inspiring levels of resilience and perseverance.
[i] UNHCR Jordan Financial Tracking update 2023, 2022, 2021.
[ii] Syrian Refugees’ Perceptions & Intentions on Return to Syria UNHCR Regional survey May 2023
Building Resilience in Difficult Times
Yasmeen, a participant in Lutheran World Federation’s (LWF) economic empowerment project, escaped the war in Syria in 2013 with her five children. Starting a life in Jordan was difficult, especially because it was hard asserting herself in the new community as a female head of household. The project helped her establish her homestead garden, providing her with a water tank, a water network, a toolkit and seedlings, as well as multiple theoretical and practical trainings in gardening, marketing and packaging. This helped her turn her overgrown plot into a garden, where she proudly shows colorful vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and potatoes.
“I do not have to buy other vegetables from outside. The garden already provides me with the vegetables and fruits that I need for the consumption of my family. That makes, of course, a big impact on the money I used to spend for the food of my household.”
Other organizations like Humanity & Inclusion (HI) are focused on addressing the needs of persons with disabilities through physical rehabilitation, inclusive education, inclusive livelihoods, capacity-building for local actors, and strengthening the health system.
Omar, one of the 22.8% of Syrian refugees with disabilities living in Jordan[i], lost his leg due to a shell attack during the war. After a brief stay in a field hospital, he returned to find his home destroyed by the war. Eventually, he fled to Jordan with his family, where he sought support from HI to receive rehabilitation services and a new prosthetic limb.
“I’m grateful for the assistance I received, enabling me to recover and adapt to my new life after the war. Despite challenges and limited services offered, I hope these organizations will expand support to help more people like me. Their dedication made a significant difference in my journey as a Syrian refugee in Jordan.” – Omar, Humanity and Inclusion Rehabilitation program participant.
INGOS in Jordan have been working to deliver a multitude of much needed projects including cash assistance, cash for work, education, economic empowerment, protection, vocational training and health services since the start of the Syrian crisis.
However, constantly diminishing humanitarian funding has been an obstacle to achieving the desired impact in all sectors of the response and undermines the transition towards development programs. This also contributes to the increased vulnerabilities and aid dependency of Syrian refugees, refugees of others nationalities and host communities. Facing this grim reality, and the compounded crises affecting the country’s economy, it is key that the international community shoulder its responsibility towards host countries like Jordan. Increased humanitarian and development assistance are crucial for allowing refugees and host communities to cope with the consequences of the kingdom’s flagging economy and escape the vicious cycle of aid dependency.
[i] Removing Barriers: Humanity & Inclusion and iMMAP publish a disability assessment of Syrian refugees in Jordan and Lebanon
“Jordan Response plan should develop into a comprehensive collaborative structure within the realm of the government’s national strategies and synchronize it with globally recognized benchmarks for refugee laws. This should allow firm commitments from both humanitarian and development financing entities to tackle the formidable obstacles faced by Jordan concerning its economy, social welfare, and ecological landscape.’’ JIF Steering Committee.
In light of the upcoming Brussels VII Conference on Supporting the future of Syria and the region, all 59 members of the Jordan INGO Forum call on the international community to bolster their efforts to reaching a political solution and their financial support for sustainable programming addressing long-term needs away from aid dependency. It is only through international collaboration and continued efforts that the Syrian refugees in Jordan can rebuild their lives and regain hope for a better future.
