JOR Medair Multi-sectorial Emergency Assistance to Syrian refugees and vulnerable Jordanians

Project completed

Closely 629,000 Syrian refugees are registered in Jordan. Many households are struggling to meet their basic needs. 84% of Syrians are hosted outside refugee camps, 86% of which are living under the poverty line. The project aims at: a) meeting the immediate basic needs of Syrian refugees, b) expanding employment and livelihood opportunities, and strengthening coping capacities of vulnerable Jordanians who have been impacted by the crisis. This project will focus on multi-purpose cash assistance, livelihoods, health and legal support.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Jordan
Humanitarian Assistance & DRR
Health
Employment & economic development
Material relief assistance
Primary health care
SME development
01.11.2015 - 31.10.2016
CHF 990'000
Background

Approximately 84% of the registered refugees (629,000 as of 01.10.15) are currently living outside of the formal camp settings in host communities. According to a recent baseline survey 86% of Syrian refugees in urban areas are living below the Jordanian poverty line of JD 68 (CHF 96) per capita per month. 90% of the non-camp Syrian refugees live in rented accommodation with monthly rent averaging between JD 100 (CHF 141) and JD 150 (CHF 212). Around 57% of Syrian households living in houses have no income whatsoever. Obtaining work permits allowing legal engagement in income­ generating activities is almost impossible. In November 2014 free medical treatment to Syrian refugees had been cut by the government. As a result, refugees have to pay in cash for all medical care, which is putting additional pressure on their financial situation.

Objectives

To relieve suffering and reduce preventable morbidity and mortality among vulnerable populations affected by the Syria crisis.

Target groups

19,005 both Syrian refugees and vulnerable Jordanian households, who are considered vulnerable, living outside of formal refugee camps and residing in rented accommodation and informal tented settlements, will benefit from the project. 70% of beneficiaries are Syrian refugees and 30% are vulnerable Jordanians. The inclusion of vulnerable host community households aims to relieve tensions between Jordanians and refugees and is also in line with Jordanian government requirements. All beneficiaries will be identified using the vulnerability criteria. The health and cash component will be implemented in Mafraq, Zarqa and East Amman while the livelihood for vulnerable Jordanians will focus on lrbid and Mafraq.

Medium-term outcomes
  • Vulnerable refugees are able to pay rent and purchase priority needs.
  • Strengthen resilience of most vulnerable Jordanians through livelihood support and capacity building.
  • Vulnerable Syrian refugees have increased access to essential reproductive health and other critical services through cash assistance.
  • Improved community level awareness and usage of perinatal services and preventative behaviours by targeted refugees and vulnerable Jordanians.
Results

Expected results:  

  • 510 of the most vulnerable Syrian households have access to unconditional cash assistance to enable them to secure accommodation and purchase priority needs.
  • 510 beneficiaries receive training on tenant and landlord rights and tenants have access to further individual legal advice.
  • Livelihood empowerment to 210 vulnerable Jordanians.
  • Increased cash available to 950 vulnerable Syrian refugees for payment of health care.
  • 15,915 Pregnant and Lactating women PLWs, new­-borns and other vulnerable Syrians are reached with community health services.


Results from previous phases:  

  • 510 refugee families received unconditional cash assistance for 5 months.
  • 105 vulnerable Jordanians received livelihood training and financial inputs as investment of income generating activity.
  • 8,600 children at the age of 6-59 months received health assessment on nutritional needs.
  • 9,000 beneficiaries are reached by Infant and Youth Child Feeding (IYCF) messages.
  • Clinic staff and volunteers were trained on nutrition.


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Credit area Humanitarian aid
Project partners Contract partner
Swiss Non-profit Organisation
  • Medair


Other partners
  • Cairo Amman Bank (CAB)
  • Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD)
  • Jordan Education For Employment (JEFE) and Near East Foundation (NEF)
  • Jordan Ministry of Health clinics
Coordination with other projects and actors

The project is in line with the Jordan Response Plan (JRP) 2015 to meet the immediate needs of Syrian refugees, as well as vulnerable Jordanians affected by the crisis and expand employment and livelihood opportunities, and strengthen coping capacities of vulnerable Jordanians who have been impacted by the crisis. The project set up is in line with the standards and guidelines as defined by the UNHCR working groups, including the Health/Nutrition and Basic Needs/Cash Working Group.

Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF   990'000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF   990'000 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF  1'492'000 Budget inclusive project partner CHF  2'580'000
Project phases

Phase 3 01.11.2015 - 31.10.2016   (Completed)

Phase 1 01.09.2013 - 31.07.2014   (Completed)