The Syria conflict has displaced more than 13.5 million individuals within and across Syria’s borders. The Government of Jordan estimates that there are currently 1.36 million Syrians residing in Jordan. The very limited access to the formal labour market, force refugees and asylum seekers to accept unskilled work in the informal sector, with wages well below the generally accepted minimum, negatively impact the access to jobs for unskilled Jordanians. At the same time, and while not directly attributable to the Syrian crisis, unemployment rates in Jordan have been continuously increasing, affecting the economic stability of Jordanian households. The displacement crisis has long turned into a protracted situation. Durable situations are not expected to materialize, as voluntary return or resettlement have become unavailable due to the COVID-19 crisis, while local integration is not considered an option for refugees in Jordan. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated pre-existing challenges and protection concerns affecting refugees as well as vulnerable Jordanians.

Expected Results

ER 1: 158,000 refugees and vulnerable host-community members are better protected from risks, including those related to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on livelihoods and protection.

ER 2: 1,282 refugees and vulnerable host-community members have sustainable sources of income, during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

ER 3: 222 women, youth, and adolescents from refugee and vulnerable host communities take an active role in community leadership, protection and social cohesion, during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

Main Activities

• Provision of comprehensive case management services in urban centres and Azraq refugee camp for 1,000 households, responding also to COVID-19 related needs and protection risks of 5,000 women, men, girls and boys.
• Distribution of cash assistance to 7,280 individuals in urban areas and Azraq camp to address short-term needs of vulnerable families.
• Provision of awareness raising and information related to COVID-19 and protection concerns, reaching 158,000 women, men, girls, and boys in the urban areas and Azraq camp.
• Consolidate employability by scaling-up CARE’s professional volunteering program for 250 women and men.
• Provide comprehensive support to small, micro and home-based businesses for 97 female and male business owners and their employees.
• Support piloting of hydroponic agriculture in Azraq camp for 600 households in the camp, benefitting 3,000 women, men, girls, and boys.
• Sensitization on gender equality, women’s economic empowerment, and protection, reaching 1,282 participants in economic empowerment activities and their (mostly) male family members.
• Support community committees for inclusive participation in protection and social cohesion initiatives, through mobilization of 84 women and men, female and male youth.
• Strengthen leadership and active participation in community decision-making of 60 women and youth.
• Facilitate cross-generational exchange for 120 female and male adolescents with women and youth on civic participation and leadership.