After the first two months of fieldwork, a short report of preliminary findings on the situation of displaced Syrians living in Irbid city has been prepared.
Read the complete findings in pdf format:
Matthew R Stevens - Preliminary Findings, Irbid Fieldwork - Aug 2014 - Web Copy.pdf
Excerpt of Conclusions:
COMMUNICATIONS ISSUES:
It would be helpful to find some way to mass communicate to both Syrians and Jordanians about the realities of the situation (not everybody is getting assistance, assistance is insufficient for the vast majority of families, families work or sell coupons out of desperation, how assessments target the most vulnerable, things like this). Suggestions include radio or television spots, newspaper articles, or other public advertisements. Many agencies have skilled communications teams, but they tend to focus only outward towards donor states. The misinformation which is filling the vacuum of formal agency communications is leading to strong negative social effects.
FINANCIAL SITUATION:
Informal support networks are strained to the breaking point and can not be relied upon to contribute to sustainable household support in their current form. Rebuilding atrophied social networks may be possible through increased emphasis on psychosocial programming, but the lack of secure financial resources throughout the Syrian population means that friends and family may not present a strong resource for backup support.
While they are appreciated, one-time emergency cash transfers do not contribute to a sustainable strategy over the period of displacement. New approaches should be considered, to the extent that this is possible. NGOs and UNHCR should continue to advocate for permission to engage in more sustainable approaches (ie, livelihoods), to the extent that this is possible. Similarly, if possible, advocacy work against deportations should be undertaken.
While these subjects are inherently political, the current legal configuration is exceptionally illogical. The vast majority of Syrians in Irbid cannot continue to reside here without securing irregular employment, as no other sustainable options are available. Yet the risk of summary deportation for work without a permit means that the vast majority of Syrian families are in incredibly vulnerable situations. NGOs and UNHCR implicity support this arrangement by denying monthly assistance to families with men of working age, thereby forcing families into vulernable positions. A more sustainable balance could be arranged which reflects both the concerns of the Government of Jordan and reduces the vulnerability of Syrian families.
A possible avenue to consider is more interaction with the municipal government and Irbid governate.
SOCIAL SITUATION:
More community involvement in psychosocial progamming may help here, such as encouraging women to start their own social groups. Language exchanges and other knowledge-shares may be helpful. Many Syrians report pursuing free online university courses, for example. Encouraging community “projects” that involve medium-term goal-setting would be beneficial. Again, these do not have to take a form that would “encourage integration”.
However, the only solution to the social challenges facing Syrians in urban Jordan can come from a shift in the political situation (related to financial challenges, above). Emphasizing the inherent unsustainability of the present climate may be a useful form of leverage in dealing with the Government of Jordan. Emphasis on the human desire to secure a “future” may be helpful; this is a psychological impression and does not have to involve employment.
Highlighting the connection between irregular migration to Europe and lack of “future” in countries of first asylum may provide a pragmatic opportunity to increase international pressure in the establishment of more emotionally sustainable programming.
Read the complete findings in pdf format:
Matthew R Stevens - Preliminary Findings, Irbid Fieldwork - Aug 2014 - Web Copy.pdf
Excerpt of Conclusions:
COMMUNICATIONS ISSUES:
It would be helpful to find some way to mass communicate to both Syrians and Jordanians about the realities of the situation (not everybody is getting assistance, assistance is insufficient for the vast majority of families, families work or sell coupons out of desperation, how assessments target the most vulnerable, things like this). Suggestions include radio or television spots, newspaper articles, or other public advertisements. Many agencies have skilled communications teams, but they tend to focus only outward towards donor states. The misinformation which is filling the vacuum of formal agency communications is leading to strong negative social effects.
FINANCIAL SITUATION:
Informal support networks are strained to the breaking point and can not be relied upon to contribute to sustainable household support in their current form. Rebuilding atrophied social networks may be possible through increased emphasis on psychosocial programming, but the lack of secure financial resources throughout the Syrian population means that friends and family may not present a strong resource for backup support.
While they are appreciated, one-time emergency cash transfers do not contribute to a sustainable strategy over the period of displacement. New approaches should be considered, to the extent that this is possible. NGOs and UNHCR should continue to advocate for permission to engage in more sustainable approaches (ie, livelihoods), to the extent that this is possible. Similarly, if possible, advocacy work against deportations should be undertaken.
While these subjects are inherently political, the current legal configuration is exceptionally illogical. The vast majority of Syrians in Irbid cannot continue to reside here without securing irregular employment, as no other sustainable options are available. Yet the risk of summary deportation for work without a permit means that the vast majority of Syrian families are in incredibly vulnerable situations. NGOs and UNHCR implicity support this arrangement by denying monthly assistance to families with men of working age, thereby forcing families into vulernable positions. A more sustainable balance could be arranged which reflects both the concerns of the Government of Jordan and reduces the vulnerability of Syrian families.
A possible avenue to consider is more interaction with the municipal government and Irbid governate.
SOCIAL SITUATION:
More community involvement in psychosocial progamming may help here, such as encouraging women to start their own social groups. Language exchanges and other knowledge-shares may be helpful. Many Syrians report pursuing free online university courses, for example. Encouraging community “projects” that involve medium-term goal-setting would be beneficial. Again, these do not have to take a form that would “encourage integration”.
However, the only solution to the social challenges facing Syrians in urban Jordan can come from a shift in the political situation (related to financial challenges, above). Emphasizing the inherent unsustainability of the present climate may be a useful form of leverage in dealing with the Government of Jordan. Emphasis on the human desire to secure a “future” may be helpful; this is a psychological impression and does not have to involve employment.
Highlighting the connection between irregular migration to Europe and lack of “future” in countries of first asylum may provide a pragmatic opportunity to increase international pressure in the establishment of more emotionally sustainable programming.