The Work Permit Initiative for Syrian Refugees in Jordan: Implications for Policy and Practice

Practice Aim

To provide a critical overview and analysis of the implementation of the work permit initiative for Syrian refugees in Jordan.

Target Groups

Practitioners who are implementing livelihood and related programming for Syrian refugees in Jordan following the February 2016 Supporting Syria and the Region donor conference in London. It is also intended for the general public, particularly in academic and policymaking fields, who are interested in livelihood programming and work permit initiatives for refugees.

Name of leading organization

World Food Program

Summary

This revision of the Jordan transitional interim country strategic plan (T-ICSP) extends the duration of the T-ICSP by one year, from 1 January to 31 December 2019pending formulation of the full country strategic plan (CSP) for Jordan, which is expected to be presented to the Executive Board at its 2019 second regular session, based on the findings of the most recent sectoral assessments and on subsequent consultations with partners.

Target

60,000 Food-insecure Syrian refugees and Syrians stranded at the north-eastern border between the Syrian Arab Republic and Jordan (Berm).

Objectives

To update Socio-economic data in Jordan since the latest figures on poverty, food security, nutrition and related sectors pre-date the start of the current crisis in the (Berm).

Accessibility issues

Syrian refugees and Syrians stranded at the Berm have access to safe, adequate and nutritious food throughout the year.

Activities

Provide unconditional resource transfers to Syrian refugees
Provide school meals and nutrition-related communication and behavioral change activities to refugee children.
Provide unconditional resource transfers to vulnerable Jordanians
Provide school meals and nutrition-related communication and behavioral change activities to children in host communities.
Provide asset creation and livelihood support activities including through individual capacity strengthening to vulnerable Syrians and Jordanians.

Results

This outcome has been reformulated because Syrians stranded at the north-eastern border between the Syrian Arab Republic and Jordan (Berm) are no longer assisted by WFP.

Original formulation

Food-insecure Syrian refugees and Syrians stranded at the Berm have access to safe, adequate and nutritious food throughout the year.

New formulation

Food-insecure Syrian refugees have access to safe, adequate and nutritious food throughout the year.

When the T-ICSP was being formulated, WFP expected to continue to assist the estimated 60,000 Syrians stranded at the Berm from Jordan. In line with past practice, these refugees would receive in-kind food assistance from WFP upon registration with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). 7.The Jordanian Government, however, has expressed a preference for this group to be assisted from the Syrian Arab Republic, so the international community has taken steps to make that possible. Consequently, activity 1 has been reformulated to refer only to unconditional resource transfers to Syrian refugees, omitting any reference to Syrians at the Berm. Related outputs have also been deleted.8.Strategic outcomes 2 and 3: This revision results in no change to strategic outcomes 2 and3 or their related activities.

Difficulties and constraints for its implementation

With the discontinuation of assistance to Syrians at the Berm, the risks faced by the country office –particularly program-related ones –have been reduced significantly.

Duration

January 2018 till January 2019.

[1] https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/b1e7e87aaeac496fa0d95eb112963e68/download/

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