Syrian refugee volunteers constructing shelters in Azraq refugee camp. Photo: Tina Abu-Hanna/NRC

NRC in Jordan

Since the Syrian war broke out in 2012, Jordan has welcomed hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees.

A total of

73,090

people in need received our assistance in 2023.

 

Humanitarian overview

Thirteen years since the beginning of the Syrian crisis, Jordan continues to host over 635,000 registered Syrian refugees, of whom around 128,000 remain in refugee camps.

Most refugees have been able to secure their legal status in Jordan. However, thousands remain ineligible and/or undocumented, and cannot enter formal employment or access some essential services. Such legal issues undermine refugees’ freedom of movement and their ability to reach long-term solutions to their displacement.

Syrian students can access formal education, but double shift schooling and overreliance on substitute teachers have contributed to high dropout rates. Unemployment, low income and rising debt mean that most Syrian refugees in host communities live below the poverty line and depend on international aid. Syrians living in refugee camps have less access to work and depend on humanitarian aid organisations for basic protection and assistance. They are especially vulnerable to declines in humanitarian funding.

 

  • 6,527
    people benefited from our education programme in 2023
  • 4,303
    people benefited from our food security programme
  • 16,612
    people benefited from our shelter programme
  • 47,964
    people benefited from our ICLA programme
  • 853
    people benefited from our WASH programme

 

NRC's operation

In Jordan, NRC provides access to shelter, education, youth development and livelihood opportunities to Syrian refugees in camps and host communities. We also provide information, counselling and legal assistance for Syrian refugees living in host communities.

 

NRC EducationEducation


Our education team implements the school-based Safe and Inclusive Schools (SIS) programme, which aims to build capacity of school personnel, parents and teachers to better participate in school decision-making and enhance the quality of teaching and learning. Through participation in the SIS programme, the education team provides flexible academic support to select students through the implementation of Learning Support Services. Psychosocial support through NRC’s Better Learning Programme is integrated within all aspects of programming to best ensure students, teachers and parents are prepared for learning.

 

NRC Information, counselling and legal assistance (ICLA)Information, counselling and legal assistance (ICLA)


Our ICLA team aims to promote and protect the rights of refugees and vulnerable Jordanians by providing information, counselling and legal assistance, including legal awareness on rights and obligations as well as individual counselling and legal assistance on:

  • obtaining legal and civil documentation
  • navigating legal registration procedures, which are key to securing their legal status in Jordan and accessing services like education and healthcare
  • enjoying housing rights
  • accessing decent employment

 

NRC Livelihoods and food securityLivelihoods and food security


Our livelihoods team supports economically vulnerable refugees and Jordanians to access the labour market through market-based interventions including employability skills training, technical trainings on the digital sector and on-the job training schemes with private sector partners. NRC is supporting Syrian refugees living in camps with micro-entrepreneurship support and financial inclusion interventions.

 

NRC Shelter and settlementsShelter and settlements

 
In camps, our shelter teams support the delivery of assistance to camp residents to cover their basic needs and ensure regular maintenance of shelters and communal sites. In host communities, our teams provide vulnerable families with shelter rehabilitation and cash-for-rent.

 

Youth

Our youth education and training programme offers vocational, further learning and social engagement opportunities for young people in refugee camps. All training is accredited by national or international accreditation authorities and through mentoring and apprenticeships. Each leads to enhanced access to income-generation activities, improved wellbeing and increased community recognition.

 

About NRC in Jordan

Established
2012
International Staff
9
Areas of operation
Amman (country office), Irbid, Jerash, Madaba, Zarqa, Mafraq, Zaatari camp, Azraq camp
National staff
280

Contact

Country Director

Amy Schmidt

Phone

+962 (0)6 565 6804