Qudra 2 – Resilience for refugees, IDPs, returnees and host communities in response to the protracted Syrian and Iraqi crises

The Syrian crisis has created the world’s largest displacement emergency. According to the UNHCR (2020) 6.6 million people have been displaced within Syria and 5.6 million Syrian refugees are registered in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and Iraq. Many refugees have been in their host countries for five or more years and a large-scale return of refugees to Syria is unlikely in the short term. Those who return to their homes face the challenge of rebuilding their lives in the context of large-scale destruction of infrastructure and disruption of the social order.

Most refugees, internally displaced people (IDP) and returnees live in host communities; only a small percentage live in dedicated camps. And while host governments and communities have made considerable efforts to support them, the extensive duration of the crisis is placing a strain on the social fabric. Real and perceived competition over access to education, jobs and other basic services is increasing social tensions. Many of those affected by the Syrian and Iraqi crises require specific support to overcome the trauma of displacement.