Projects

Short Description:

Overall goal

The aim of the project is to promote the resilience of individuals affected by the protracted displacement crisis in Jordan.

Expected results

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.

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

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.

Target group / Beneficiaries

The project will directly reach 158,000 individuals through the different project components, including refugees and Jordanian host community members in Azraq refugee camp, Amman and Irbid. For most activities, CARE will target 50% refugees of different nationalities and 50% Jordanians. For home-based businesses, 70% of the target group will be Jordanians, while the component to support small and micro business will involve Jordanians only. Assistance for refugees and Jordanians will be prioritized for the most vulnerable groups such as female-headed households, women at risk/surviving sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) including early/child marriage, children and adolescents at risk/surviving SGBV, women without social support, unaccompanied minors, older persons, persons with disabilities or their caregivers.

Activities

The following activities are foreseen under the project:

COVID-19 situation analysis and adaptation of implementation modalities; comprehensive case management services in urban centres and Azraq refugee camp; cash assistance to address short-term needs of vulnerable families; provision of awareness raising and information related to COVID-19 and protection concerns; consolidate employability by scaling-up CARE’s professional volunteering program; comprehensive support to small, micro and home-based businesses; support piloting of hydroponic agriculture in Azraq camp; sensitization on gender equality, women’s economic empowerment, and protection; support community committees for inclusive participation in protection and social cohesion initiatives; strengthen leadership and active participation in community decision-making of women and youth; facilitate cross-generational exchange for female and male adolescents with women and youth on civic participation and leadership.

Context

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, of which 657,287 are registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). 81% of the registered Syrian refugees in Jordan live in urban areas among host community members, with the biggest out-of-camp refugee populations in the governorates of Amman and Irbid. 41,056 Syrians live in Azraq camp, Jordan’s second biggest refugee camp.

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 impacting the access to jobs to 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 affecting refugees as well as vulnerable Jordanians.