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2014
1/27/2014
Need Assessment Report - Syrian Refugees
Northern Region – Jordan
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Table of Contents
1.0 Summary of Findings.............................................................................................................. 4
2.0 Methodology ......................................................................................................................... 7
2.1 Timeframe of Assessment and Actors involved ................................................................... 7
2.2 Target Groups, Including % ................................................................................................. 7
2.3 Methods of Data Collection and Criteria ............................................................................. 8
3.0 Context and Background ........................................................................................................ 9
4.0 Survey Analysis .................................................................................................................... 11
4.1 Participants Demographics ............................................................................................... 11
4.1.1 General Information ................................................................................................. 11
4.1.2 Head of Household Sex ............................................................................................. 11
4.1.3 Household Size, Sex & Age Distribution .................................................................... 12
4.2 Family Economic Profile ................................................................................................... 14
4.2.1 Monthly Expenditure Breakdown ............................................................................. 14
4.2.2 Monthly Rent ........................................................................................................... 17
4.2.3 Coping Mechanism ................................................................................................... 19
4.2.4 Food Vouchers ......................................................................................................... 20
4.2.5 Work Opportunities for Women ............................................................................... 20
4.3 Shelter ............................................................................................................................. 20
4.3.1 Floor Area per Person ............................................................................................... 20
4.3.2 Quality of Shelter...................................................................................................... 23
4.4 Education ......................................................................................................................... 23
4.4.1 Children Enrolled in Schools ..................................................................................... 23
4.5 Basic Needs (NFI) ............................................................................................................. 26
4.6 Protection ........................................................................................................................ 28
4.6.1 Vulnerability in Community ...................................................................................... 28
4.6.2 Main Challenges ....................................................................................................... 29
4.6.3 Relationship with host community ........................................................................... 29
4.6.4 Host Community, Economic, Resources And Space Implications ............................... 30
4.6.5 Work Opportunities .................................................................................................. 30
4.6.6 Environmental Impact to Host Community ............................................................... 30
5.0 Focus Groups Analysis .......................................................................................................... 31
5.1 Focus Group - Mafraq ...................................................................................................... 31
5.2 Focus Group - Irbid ........................................................................................................... 31
5.3 Current Cash for Rent Programs ....................................................................................... 32
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5.4 Utility Bills ........................................................................................................................ 32
5.5 Coping Mechanisms ......................................................................................................... 33
5.5.1 Mafraq ..................................................................................................................... 33
5.5.2 Irbid ......................................................................................................................... 33
6.0 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................... 34
7.0 Recommendations ............................................................................................................... 34
8.0 Annexes ............................................................................................................................... 36
8.1 Survey Assessment Form – Syrian Refugees ..................................................................... 36
8.2 Survey Assessment Form – Jordanian ............................................................................... 45
8.3 Focus Group Discussion .................................................................................................... 53
8.4 Analysis of the Primary Source Data Exist at IRJ Data Base. ............................................... 54
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List of Figures
Figure (4.1) Length of Stay in Jordan ................................................................................................ 11
Figure (4.2) Percent of Households Headed by Females ................................................................... 12
Figure (4.3) Household Size Vs. Family Size ...................................................................................... 13
Figure (4.4) Special Needs per Region .............................................................................................. 14
Figure (4.5) SR Monthly Expenditure - Irbid ..................................................................................... 16
Figure (4.6) SR Monthly Expenditure - Ramtha ................................................................................ 16
Figure (4.7) SR Monthly Expenditure - Mafraq ................................................................................. 16
Figure (4.8) Jordanian Monthly Expenditure .................................................................................... 17
Figure (4.9) Shelter Room Numbers per Region ............................................................................... 17
Figure (4.10) Living Space In m2 Available to Each Household Member by Size of the Household* .. 21
Figure (4.11) Percentage of Room per Shelter ................................................................................. 22
Figure (4.12) Reasons Children Not In School ................................................................................... 24
Figure (4.13) Number of Children in School ..................................................................................... 25
Figure (4.14) NFI Priority per Region - SR ......................................................................................... 26
Figure (4.15) NFI Priority per Region - Jordanians ............................................................................ 27
Figure (4.16) Winterization Priority - SR ........................................................................................... 27
Figure (4.17) Winterization Priority - Jordanian ................................................................................ 28
Figure (4.18) Vulnerability in the Community ................................................................................... 28
List of Tables
Table (2.1) Number of Population Surveyed per Region ..................................................................... 7
Table (2.2) Focus Group Demographics.............................................................................................. 8
Table (4.1) Sex of Head of Household per Region per Nationality ..................................................... 12
Table (4.2) Children Sex & Age per Region ....................................................................................... 13
Table (4.3) Average Monthly SR Expenditure ................................................................................... 15
Table (4.4) Average Monthly Rent per Region per Number of Rooms .............................................. 18
Table (4.5) Coping Mechanism in Region of Interest ........................................................................ 20
Table (4.6) Percent Distribution of Jordanian Households by Person per Room................................ 21
Table (4.7) Percent Distribution of Syrian Refugees Households (By Person per Room) .................... 22
Table (4.8) Percent of Children in School ......................................................................................... 24
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1.0 Summary of Findings
This assessment aims at providing a situation analysis of Syrian refugees living at host communities in the northern region of Jordan; mainly Irbid including the city of Ramtha and Mafraq. The study focused on Syrian refugees in the urban settings, as well as studying the situation of some Jordanian families. The aim is to assess the Syrian refugees’ needs and living situation to address unmet urgent basic needs in sustaining shelters for the Syrian refugees and Jordanian host community populations living in the north, analyzing families’ socio-economic status and the faced challenges and unmet needs. The study also aimed at identifying gaps in services provided in non-food items, education, shelter and protection to vulnerable Syrian population, the study has also incorporated a sample of the host community to understand their needs and how the Syrians influx into the country has impacted their lives The study covered total of 390 families; 330 Syrian families living in Irbid including Ramtha and Mafraq urban and rural areas. Additionally the survey also included 60 Jordanians living in the same areas. The assessment effort has showed that with the continuing situation on the ground in their home country; Syrian refugees in Jordan have no plans to go back any time soon as they still fear for their lives and those of their loved ones. Most refugees have been living in Jordan for more than one year. About 95% of those interviewed during the study reported that their biggest fear of is the fear of not being able to pay next month’s rent, with limited income, and depleted resources, no more saving, and increased high rent, refugees at high risk of being evicted deteriorating their livelihood and psychological status. Jordanians have felt the effect of the influx of the Syrian refugees by competing with them on; affordable shelters, scarce water resources, schools and health facilities and at times jobs. Levels of frustration and tension between the refugees and host community are rising. Hosting Syrian refugees poses serious restrains on Jordan main infrastructures; water, electricity, health, shelter and education, energy and municipal waste. Most importantly, Syrians are competing with Jordanians and other work forces (Egyptians) on limited job opportunities, bringing wages down. As reported by Jordan Ministry of Labour and in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO) it is estimates that 160,000 Syrians are working in construction, agriculture and in the services sector with nearly 30,000 Syrian children engaged in child labour. According to UNHCR report on Countries Hosting Syrian Refugees and as indicated in the assessment most Syrian refugees in urban and rural areas live in poor host communities that are themselves in need of support. Approximately 79% of the Syrian refugees are women and children under 18 vulnerable to an increased risk of sexual, physical, and psychological abuse, yet have limited opportunities to access safe spaces or social services. The assessment showed that the most vulnerable group among the Syrian refugees community are women living with their children alone or single woman of all ages.
The massive influx of refugees represents a de-facto acceleration of urban growth, which has not been matched by an equal increase in housing services and/or basic social services and infrastructures. Thus Syrians and Jordanians alike are dealing with the increase in living expenses including paying rent for their current shelters as almost all Syrians living outside refugee camps live in rented shelters and according to Department of Statistics 40% of Jordanians live in rented apartments. Percentage for Jordanians is lower in rural areas. Syrian families especially in Irbid are being forced to live in multifamily households to afford living expenses, leading to overcrowding and family tension. In general Syrian refugees live in medium quality shelters with the average household of 6 persons in 2 rooms’ shelters. The head of household of 34% of the families included in this study were females.
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Syrians are largely at the mercy of humanitarian aid agencies to help them to secure food through food voucher programs and other basic needs through in kind donations, winterization programs and cash payments. However, they are turning to negative coping mechanisms such as borrowing money, buying on credit, child labour and/or selling their food vouchers to pay for rent. Around 50% of families have reported carrying debts causing additional stress and more challenge to adapt to their current situation in the hosted country. The study included 784 school aged children, 70% of these boys and girls attend school and those who don’t go to school are mostly at home doing nothing or working to help secure income to their families other children were reported married. The study showed that refugees are in high need for cooking fuel and cleaning supplies of the Syrian families and several households reported that they have neither heaters nor enough mattresses for the entire family. The study showed that Syrian families live in fear of eviction, worrying about securing money for the rent on almost daily basis. Current cash for rent programs are helping in reducing this burden but the sustainability of such programs is an issue. Throughout the study the participants agreed that the monthly rent is “breaking their back”, an expression heard several times during the survey and the focus group sessions. The stress of paying for living expenses; such as rent; is significantly affecting children either by fear of homelessness, child labor or early marriages of young girls. The possibility of eviction carries with it significant protection risks and potentially leads to a number of trends such as;
Increasing multiple-family occupancy and over-crowding
Increasing numbers moving to lower quality sub-standard shelters
Increasing numbers choosing to live in informal settlements and temporary shelters
Increasing cases of destitution/homelessness
Increasing migrations from one area to another in search of affordable accommodation
Refugees returning to the camps from the host communities; camps may reach their absorption capacity, refugees will lose their privacy, women and children may be more prone to GBV.
Increasing returns to Syria, entailing clear risks to their safety and security.
Increased tension between family members and as stress intensifies verbal and physical
abuse is exercised against women and children.
The monthly Syrian family income various from one month to another and on average the respondents reported that the rent consumes 75-125% with a range of monthly income between 140JOD to 230 JOD. Leading to an increase in income expenditure gap of is anywhere between JOD 230–320. 181 households about 55% of those surveyed said that they receive some assistance from donor agencies mainly food vouchers. However when we cross-referenced the data from another question on the survey we found that over 95% reported that they receive food vouchers on a regular basis. 22% of the households receive cash assistance either from UNHCR programs or other agencies such as the cash for rent program of the IRJ. Those who reported that they receive cash from private donors said that it’s not sustainable and sporadic.
Analyzing Syrian families’ expenditure it was found that on average Syrian families in the region of interest to this study pay 175 JOD per month on rent, accounting for 38% of the total monthly expenditure. They also spend 15% of the monthly expenses on food followed by 9% on gas for heating and cooking and 7% on health and another 7% on smoking. The study showed that the respondents spend 4% on health, 4% on transportation, 4% on cleaning supplies and 4% on clothes
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and 3% on education. The Jordanian families in this study spend around 560JOD a month. Top spending was food at 36% of total expenditure equally followed by rent, fuel such as gas for cooking and heating, smoking, transportation and clothes As for coping mechanisms the respondents use a mix means, for example 63% of the Syrian refugees included in this study reported that they rely on charity to survive and 42% reported personal savings or selling of assets. 29% reported that they sporadically rely on working to pay for living expenses and 12% said that they receive assistance from family members living and working outside mainly in the gulf region. A significant 37% said that they rely on borrowing and/or selling part of their food vouchers to pay for living expenses and mainly to pay for rent, while 58% of Jordanians rely on their jobs to pay for the ever increasing living expenses.
Based on the overall assessment, and overarching solution for refugee living in the urban and rural areas is needed, focusing on their urgent needs to survive and be protected. A proposal aimed to save and preserve life and dignity such as cash for rent assistance paid directly to the landlords on a monthly basis is needed to reduce the Syrian labour, abuse and early marriages. This is in accordance to ECHO stated strategies of providing rent support and the provisioning of shelter thus protection of refugees as well as to the host communities, whose resources are now stretched to breaking point.
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2.0 Methodology
2.1 Timeframe of Assessment and Actors involved A direct needs assessment was conducted in December 2013 – January 2014. The main objective was to analyze the current situation of Syrian family’s sources of income and their expenditure as well as analyze the trend in the rent prices in the northern region of Mafraq and Irbid including the city of Ramtha. The assessment also studied the gaps in the services provided in the shelter, non-food items, education, health and food for Syrians. The study also aimed at studying and reporting on the Syrian refugees top priority needs. The assessment was qualitative through focus groups, surveys and interviews. The data for the report was collected, from 22nd thru the 30th of December 2013. Under IRJ management, the assessment was held by specialized consultant in research study and IRJ social workers/data collectors who are either Islamic Relief – Jordan (IRJ) full time staffers.
2.2 Target Groups, Including % For the sample size we used a 5% margin of error and 95% confidence level and 50% normal distribution. The recommended sample size using the Raosoft website calculator was 378. The total number of surveys conducted was 390 surveys. The sample pool included 330 Syrian families and 60 Jordanian families, males and females that benefit from existing assistance programs and those who don’t. The targeted population was 85% Syrian refugees living in Jordan and 15% Jordanians living in the targeted region. One member from each family was interviewed depending on availability. The priority was always directed towards interviewing the head of the household as they would be more apt to answer all the questions. If the parents were absent the person interviewed was at least 18 years old to ensure the proper understanding of questions. Jordanian families were also included in this need assessment as part of the proposed benefits will be delivered to Jordanians. To this end we surveyed 60 Jordanian families and invited Jordanians to the focus group sessions. The below table summarizes the location and nationalities of those surveyed where (SR) stands for Syrian Refugees and (J) is for Jordanian citizens. The table also lists the number and sex of those interviewed and the total and sex of occupants in the household per region.
Table (2.1) Number of Population Surveyed per Region
Region Interviewed In Household
Male Female Total Male Female Total
Irbid-SR 127 71 198 593 675 1268
Ramtha-SR 48 46 94 290 343 633
Mafraq-SR 22 18 40 108 120 228
Irbid-J 14 6 20 56 47 103
Ramtha-J 9 11 20 71 71 142
Mafraq-J 17 3 20 66 58 124
Total 237 155 392 1184 1314 2498
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Four focus group discussions were conducted during the study; two sessions in Mafraq and 2 sessions in Irbid. The Syrian participants were all registered at the UNHCR and some receives cash assistance that they use for rent from other organizations. In total we had 41 participants 5 of which were Jordanians and the rest Syrians, with 23 females and 18 males in total. The below table give some demographic details on the participants
Table (2.2) Focus Group Demographics
Location Sex Number Nationality
Mafraq – various districts Female 13 Syrian
Mafraq – various districts Female 1 Jordanian
Mafraq – various districts Male 8 Syrian
Mafraq – various districts Male 1 Jordanian
Irbid - various districts Female 9 Syrian
Irbid - various districts Female 0 Jordanian
Irbid - various districts Male 6 Syrian
Irbid - various districts Male 3 Jordanian
2.3 Methods of Data Collection and Criteria Throughout the study we have used four data collection methods;
1. Focus Group Discussions (FGD) with refugees and host community members
2. Quantitative surveys
3. Surveys based on a questionnaire for qualitative information
4. Key informant interviews through survey 5. Secondary data collected from previous assessments conducted by IRJ
The survey obtained quantitative data through using door to door method. Statistical data such as the number of refugees was also obtained from UNHCR website data.unhcr.org. Trained and supervised social workers/data collectors conducted the surveys in the targeted areas of intervention. The criteria for selecting the households to take part in the study were a blend of households who benefit from existing Islamic Relief Jordan assistance programs and those who don’t. Another consideration was the geographical distance between houses in order to ensure diversity in our sample. Prior to the interview, the data collectors followed the existing protocol that required them to introduce themselves and Islamic Relief-Jordan, and explain the purpose of the study with an indication that no direct benefit will be received as a result of their participation. An oral informed consent was taken and the information obtained was anonymous and confidential.
A copy of the qualitative and quantitative survey forms and the discussion issues for the focus group are listed in section 7 - Annexes of this report. Some questions were duplicated for cross referencing
reasons.
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3.0 Context and Background
The ongoing conflict in Syria which started in March 2011 has displaced well over 4 million people within Syria. According to UNHCR it’s estimated that there’s over 2.3 million refugees that were forced to leave Syria to neighboring countries mainly Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt.
Jordan is strategically located in the Middle East. Bordered by Syria to the north, Iraq to the northeast, Saudi Arabia to the east and south, the Red Sea to the south, and the occupied West Bank to the west. Jordan currently has a population of around 6.5 million people, nearly 3 million of which make their home in the capital Amman. Jordan has a young population; more than 70% of the population is under 30 years of age. The country has limited natural resources, potash and phosphate are its main export commodities, limited agricultural land, and water is severely scarce, ranked as the world’s third poorest country in terms of water. Jordan is a low income country, unemployment rate during 2013 reached 12.5%. (Poverty Report- Department of statistics 2012) and population living below poverty line is 14.4% (Poverty Report- Department of statistics 2012) As per UNHCR statistics of January 23, 2014 there are 590,749 Syrian refugees in Jordan with estimates of about 440,000 of them living outside the camps in urban and rural communities throughout the country. According to European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) the number of refugees in Jordan had increased 400% from December 2012 to December 2013. Official statistics indicates that the vast majority of Syrian refugees not living in Zaatari camp reside in Amman (31%), Irbid (28%), Mafraq (14%) and Zarqa (11%) governorates. Governorates with the highest percentage of Syrians compared to the Jordanian population are Mafraq (17%), Irbid (9%), Ajloun (5.4%) and Amman (4.6%). To this end the region of interest in this study is the northern region of the governorate of Irbid including Ramtha and the governorate of Mafraq. The below map of Jordan shows the location of the various affected area and our targeted area.
Earlier Studies in Regions of Interest
For a country Jordan’s size, the proportional impact is great especially in the northern cities where most refugees end up- Irbid, Ramtha, Mafraq. According to the UNHCR there are 129,472 registered Syrian refugees in Irbid including Ramtha and 63,629 in Mafraq.
Earlier reports showed that the real estate market is completely saturated. The lowest tier of apartments rent for about 150 dinars per month, and these were completely filled by the first wave of refugees. By 2012 all the 200- and 250-dinar apartments were occupied. When families arrive now, all that is left are apartments for 300 and 400 dinars. This is extremely difficult for families with no income, who are not allowed to work.
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According to Un Ponte Per. Comprehensive Assessment of Syrian Refugees Residing in the Community in Northern Jordan. August 2012, 7, an unfurnished apartment in both Ramtha and Irbid can cost between JOD 150and 200 per month, whereas before the Syrian crisis costs varied between JOD 100 and 120. Covering the rentalcosts represents the biggest challenge for the great majority of the refugees targeted within this assessment. Infact, 89% of survey participants stated that rental assistance is their most urgent and pressing need.
These refugees also face unique and ever changing challenges that ranged from securing food to finding basic shelter and accessing emergency services. Now the Syrian refugees are struggling to sustain their livelihood and meet the increasing cost of living with the main issue being meeting the monthly pressure of paying the rent. The Syrians like the Jordanians are frustrated with the housing situation. They are feeling the effects of elevated rents and increasingly talk about the stress of finding a way to pay the rent every month. According to a participant in the focus group… “You pay your rent on the first of the month and immediately start to worry how you will pay the next month”.
With limited means to generate a consistent and sufficient income, the cost of housing was identified, by both women and men, as their single greatest worry.
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4.0 Survey Analysis All data from the surveys collected where entered and analyzed based on 6 predetermined criteria. (1)Participant’s demographics, (2) family economic status, (3)shelter, (4)education, (5)basic needs (Non-Food Items) &(6)protection issues.
4.1 Participants Demographics As part of the surveys and interviews conducted we collected general data on the respondents and their families. Information included age, number of family members and the size) of household (i.e. total number of people living in the shelter), length of stay and UNHCR registration.
4.1.1 General Information
The study aimed at diversifying the source of data to ensure capturing the wide spectrum of the Syrian refugees’ demographics. To this end we interviewed males and females ranging in age from 18 to 93. The average age of those interviewed was 42 years old and 85% of them are married. Most all of the respondents are registered with UNHCR.
Out of the 330 Syrian refugees interviewed a resounding 241 roughly 75% said that they are not planning on returning home anytime soon. Stating personal safety, shelling, bombing, total destruction of properties as reasons why they don’t want to go back. Those who said that they plan on going back to Syria said will do so when things get better on the ground.
59% of the respondents have been in Jordan for at least a year and 34% have been here more than 6 months but less than a year. The below chart details the time duration in Jordan ranging from less than a month to more than a year.
Figure (4.1) Length of Stay in Jordan
4.1.2 Head of Household Sex
The head of households of 66% of the houses interviewed were male and the females ranging from 30% in the city of Irbid, 35% in Mafraq and up to 40% in Ramtha as illustrated in the below graph. This corresponds with an earlier study conducted by IRF stating that 41% of households were headed by females. In general Female-headed households are more likely to have children engaged in labor than other households due to their reduced economic capacity and reduced movements outside the home.
< 3 month 2%
3-6 months 5%
6-12 months 34%
> 1 year 59%
Length of Stay in Jordan
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68% said that the head of the household is the decision maker and the remaining said it was a joint family decision.
The following table lists the sex of the head of household per region per nationality
Table (4.1) Sex of Head of Household per Region per Nationality
Region & Nationality Male Female
Irbid-Syrians 139 59
Ramtha- Syrians 56 38
Mafraq-Syrians 26 14
Irbid-Jordanians 13 7
Ramtha-Jordanians 9 11
Mafraq-Jordanians 17 3
The graph below shows the percentage of the households headed by females per region
Figure (4.2) Percent of Households Headed by Females
4.1.3 Household Size, Sex & Age Distribution
UNHCR proGres data shows that female refugees outnumber male refugees overall. In Irbid Governorate, 57 per cent of adults are female, and in some host communities, more than 60 per cent of adults are female. Over half of all refugees are under 18 years old, while only 3 percent are over 60 years old. The largest demographic group is 18-35 year-old, who account for over 25 per cent of the population. The governorates of Amman, Mafraq, Irbid are home to the highest percentage of young refugees (less than 18 years). During the assessment the participants were asked to give us the number of people currently living in the household as well as the number of the immediate family. The result was that in Irbid and Ramtha alike 22% of the household were not members of their immediate family. The study showed that the median household size was 6 while the family size was 5. This is less than the average
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
Irbid-SR
Ramtha-SR
Mafraq-SR
Jordanians
% Female Head of Household
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household size reported in an earlier study done by Islamic Relief Jordan which stated that the average per household was 7.28. The mix in household ranged from multi-generational and extended families to total strangers sharing a place where multiple families are living in the same apartment. In Mafraq only about 5% of those living in the same household weren’t immediate family members, which is a similar result to Jordanian families surveyed.
Figure (4.3) Household Size Vs. Family Size
As for the sex and age of the children in the Syrian refugee (SR) and Jordanian (J) households in the
different regions our results were as follows. 53% of the survey families were Children less than 18
years divided into 36% school-aged children; aged between 5 – 18 years and the remaining 17% are
children under 5 years
Table (4.2) Children Sex & Age per Region
Region 5-18 Years Old Under 5 Years Old
Male Female Male Female
Irbid-SR 239 221 118 107
Ramtha-SR 120 118 63 53
Mafraq-SR 42 44 24 27
Irbid-J 17 8 6 2
Ramtha-J 36 36 12 7
Mafraq-J 10 8 6 1
For people aged over 60 years old the analysis showed that they comprise about 4% of the total household in Irbid and Ramtha alike and only 1% of those in Mafraq. This is consistent with the earlier finding in Mafraq stating that 95% of the household size was immediate family only.
2.5% of those surveyed had people with special physical and mental needs living in their household including children and adults. The average to the total surveyed population was. Earlier study by IRJ indicated that 4% of the study’s population was people with special needs. These respondents reported the need for specialized medication and medical equipment.
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Figure (4.4) Special Needs per Region
4.2 Family Economic Profile
“Only God knows”
That’s the general attitude of the Syrian refugees when they were asked how long they can survive with their current resources.
As can be expected poverty is their biggest fear since most of them don’t or can’t work and they have depleted whatever little savings they may have had.
Syrian communities are highly dependent on support received through humanitarian agencies, such as WFP vouchers, credit and loan, assistance by other NGOs or charity, UNHCR cash grants, etc. Around 30% of Syrians reported earning income through working although most said that their work is sporadic due to work availability and lack of work permits.
Consistent with the assessment findings and according to Jordan Joint Assessment Review undertaken by UNHCR, WFP and UNICEF; January 2014, one of the main sources of income for Syrian refugees living in urban communities in Jordan are World Food Program vouchers, UNHCR cash assistance, personal savings and remittances. Some refugees sell part of their in-kind assistance for cash to cover rent and other items. This increases their risk of hunger, ill health and protection. The greatest challenge faced by refugees is access to cash, specifically cash for rent. As the Syrian crisis becomes more protracted, the income versus expenditure gap caused by limited livelihood opportunities and rising rent, food and service prices has increased the use of negative coping strategies. Consequently, many households have resorted to working in the informal sector, incurring debt, taking children out of school and relying on child labor.
4.2.1 Monthly Expenditure Breakdown
The respondents were asked to give an estimated monthly figure of their expenses in terms of health, electricity, water, heating & cooking fuel, clothes, education, rent, food, transportation, cleaning supplies & smoking.
Repeatedly and consistently rent was the significantly highest expenditure that the Syrian refugees had across the board. In accordance with previous studies participants agreed that Syrian refugees are struggling to meet the costs of living in Jordan, and that rent assistance is their most pressing need.
Irbid-SR 2%
Ramtha-SR 3%
Mafraq-SR 4.4%
Jordanians 1.4%
% Population with Special Needs Per Region
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Food which is subsidized through food vouchers was next followed by cooking and heating fuel such as LPG gas and kerosene. Money spent on smoking in average was the same as that of health, noting that in general health care is free for all. Small percentage of refugees had a higher than average range of up to 200 JOD/month for their health care. In general clothes costs were not an issue as most reported that they haven’t bought any since they came to Jordan.
Cleaning supplies which is not covered by any assistance programs is an issue to many females we interviewed. Education is free through Jordan’s public schooling system and that explains the low cost in our analysis.
Most participants in the survey and focus group sessions raised concerns over the water and electrical bills. Some share the same utility meter resulting in higher consumption therefore higher tariffs and some have commercial utility meters so they pay higher tariffs than those of the domestic. Some participants who pay their bills directly to the landlord said they pay more than the actual amount on the bill.
Although most said that they get their water from the municipality some said that they have to use water tanks which is expensive. It’s worthy to note that Syrians, unlike Jordanians, are used to abundance of natural resources that are relatively affordable to all in Syria and are not in general used to water or electrical conservation.
75% of the sample pool lives closed to health care providers and have access to basic services this accounts for the low cost of transportation.
The monthly Syrian family income various from one month to another and on average the respondents reported that the rent consumes 75-125% with a range of monthly income between 140JOD to 230 JOD. Leading to an increase in income expenditure gap of is anywhere between JOD 230–320. The below table summarizes the average monthly expenditure for the 330 Syrian refugees household we surveyed with the total average of 460 JOD per month. This doesn’t include miscellaneous expenses such as baby milk and diapers. As can be seen rent constitute the highest expense at 38% of monthly expenditure followed by rent at 15% as 95% of the respondents in the assessment receive food vouchers.
Table (4.3) Average Monthly SR Expenditure
Item JOD/Month % of Total
Rent 175 38%
Food 70 15%
Cooking & Heating Fuel 40 9%
Health 30 7%
Smoking 30 7%
Water 20 4%
Electricity 20 4%
Clothing 20 4%
Transportation 20 4%
Cleaning Supplies 20 4%
Education 15 3%
Average Total 460 100%
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Looking at the monthly expenses per region we found that the top 4 expenditures remain the same with the of cost rent being the highest. The following 3 graphs illustrate the Syrian refugees’ monthly expenditure per region of interest to this study.
Figure (4.5) SR Monthly Expenditure - Irbid
Figure (4.6) SR Monthly Expenditure - Ramtha
Figure (4.7) SR Monthly Expenditure - Mafraq
0 20 40 60 80
100 120 140 160 180
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SR Monthly Expenditure - Irbid
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per person
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100 120 140 160 180 200
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SR Monthly Expenditure - Ramtha
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JOD
SR Monthly Expenditure - Mafraq
Per Household
Per Person
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Looking at the Jordanian sample we realize that the spending pattern is slightly different as only 28% of those surveyed were renters, which is below the national average of 40%. The sample spent an average of 560 JOD per month 200 JOD of which is for food. The below graph illustrates the monthly expenditure per household and per person for the 60 Jordanian families interviewed in our region of interest. The average cost of rent for Jordanian families who reported living in a rented apartment was 100JOD with the highest being 250JOD/month.
Figure (4.8) Jordanian Monthly Expenditure
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4.2.2 Monthly Rent
According to Syria Refugees in Host Communities published by UNHCR Reach Assessment October 2013, approximately 89% of the refugees live in an apartment; 77% in rented accommodation; 15% shared with others, 3% in temporary accommodation and 2% are hosted by Jordanian families. All of the sample pool of the Syrian refugees are living in rented apartments with 4% of them living in multifamily type agreement where more than one family share the apartment. The study showed that 42% of the families rent 2 rooms shelters and 36% rent 3 rooms shelter. 14% of participants rent 1 room and 8% of them rent 4 rooms. The below graph shows the distribution of the number of rooms per region.
Figure (4.9) Shelter Room Numbers per Region
0
50
100
150
200
250
JOD
Jordanain Monthly Expenditure
Per Household
Per Person
0
20
40
60
80
100
1 2 3 4
No
. of
Fam
ilies
No. of Rooms
Number of Rooms in Shelter per Region
Irbid
Ramtha
Mafraq
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The monthly rent paid by the participants varied per region with Ramtha being the most expensive of the three. The following table shows the average monthly rent per region per number of rooms.
Table (4.4) Average Monthly Rent per Region per Number of Rooms
No. of Rooms
Rent (JOD)
Irbid Ramtha Mafraq
1 112 133 132
2 163 185 173
3 209 197 173
4 157 235 200
Rent is consistently identified as a primary expense amongst refugees across numerous assessments. For example this assessment echoed the results of the Oxfam GB assessment which indicated that some landlords may be increasing rents due to a misperception that all refugees receive cash assistance for rent. The same survey respondents from the study expressed concerns about being cheated due to their ignorance of Jordanian law, and many reported that they did not know where they could go to access important legal information. During the focus group discussions the participants voiced concerns that landlords are imposing restrictions such as the number of persons allowed in the same house and the number of children allowed. The participants also said that some landlords have or are threatening to raise the rent which maybe out of fear of damage to their property due to overcrowding. The possibility of eviction carries with it significant protection risks, particularly for women and
children and potentially leads to a number of trends such as;
Increasing multiple-family occupancy and over-crowding
Increasing numbers moving to lower quality sub-standard shelters
Increasing numbers choosing to live in informal settlements and temporary shelters
Increasing cases of destitution/homelessness
Increasing migrations from one area to another in search of affordable accommodation
Refugees returning to the camps from the host communities; camps may reach their absorption capacity, refugees will lose their privacy, women and children may be more prone to GBV.
Increasing returns to Syria, entailing clear risks to their safety and security.
Increased tension between family members and as stress intensifies verbal and physical abuse is exercised against women and children.
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The above results are consistent with the results obtained by the Jordan Joint Assessment Review, January 2014. It stated that rent is consistently identified as a primary expense amongst refugees across numerous assessments. On average, 75 per cent of refugee families live in rented accommodation with no additional support. Given the income gaps, inability to pay rent remains a major concern among refugees, as shelter outside the camps is expensive. The rental market is inflated due to increased demand from the refugee influx coupled with a pre-existing housing shortage. Property-owners ask for 2–3 months’ rent in advance. The rise in rental prices has also a direct negative impact on Jordanians, who are spending more on rent. Current rental prices are in the range of JOD 100–200. For example, in Mafraq average rents have reportedly increased fourfold from 50 JOD/month to JOD 150–200. The combination of limited availability in some areas (due to high demand) and high rents has led people to move into unfinished and poor-quality buildings or temporary shelters.
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4.2.3 Coping Mechanism
“I sell the food coupons to pay for the rent”
The Syrian refugees have a mixture of coping mechanisms to deal with their monthly expenses. This ranged from using personal savings and selling of assets (mainly jewelry) to working, charity, and help from family members mainly in the gulf region. However since most personal savings have been depleted and they can’t find stable work either due to government crackdown on illegal workers or due to economic reasons the most commonly mechanisms used are borrowing money and/or selling of the food vouchers they receive from agencies such as WFP, Islamic Relief-Jordan and others.
Of the 330 families interviewed 62% of them said that they had used personal resources including savings, selling of jewelry and other assets to pay for their monthly expenses. But due to the high cost of living in Jordan these resources have dried up. 51% of the male participants and few of the female participants said they have occasional jobs such as in agriculture sector and construction to pay for living costs and to cover the costs of basic necessities, especially given the comparatively high cost of living in many Jordanian cities. Syrian refugees who to supplement their income through work, said that this is always a challenge due to many reasons such as the need for work permits, the inconsistent availability of work, and the exploitation in the form of wages being withheld, wages being paid late, or working overtime without additional compensation.
“After God the only thing that’s keeping us going are the food vouchers”…. A phrase we kept hearing as a significant 35% of the respondents rely on humanitarian aid programs which mainly cover their food expenses and some programs that give cash that they use to pay for rent such as the cash for rent program by IRJ and the UNHCR program that relies on the eye scan. There are other national and international agencies that give out cash, but most of these programs are short termed depending on the funds available.
When asked on how they think other refugees cope with daily living expenses our respondents feedback was mainly personal savings, work and/or borrowing money from family and friends. With little or no means to pay off the debt this seems to indicate that the debts of Syrian families are growing. For those families with no foreseen sources of income, an inability to re-pay the loans might cause severe constraints to the families in the near future forcing more children to leave school and go to work thus increasing the estimated 30,000 child worker.
181 households about 55% of those surveyed said that they receive some assistance from donor agencies mainly food vouchers. However when we cross-referenced the data from another question on the survey we found that over 95% reported that they receive food vouchers on a regular basis.
22% of the households receive cash assistance either from UNHCR programs or other agencies such as the cash for rent program of the IRJ. Those who reported that they receive cash from private donors said that it’s not sustainable and sporadic.
Less than 10% of the families said that they receive both cash assistance and food vouchers. The below table lists the percentages of respondents reporting on their coping mechanisms.
58% Jordanians on the other hand rely mainly on their work to earn their livelihood. However due to the increasing living expenses and the skyrocketed rent they reported difficulties in meeting their daily expenses.
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Table (4.5) Coping Mechanism in Region of Interest
Irbid Ramtha Mafraq Jordan
Personal Resources 45% 51% 30% 15%
Work 36% 22% 28% 58%
Charity 57% 63% 68% 5%
Family 10% 16% 10% 3%
Others 45% 46% 20% 8%
4.2.4 Food Vouchers
“We rationalize food portions to sell our food coupons”
The study showed that most of the families as high as 95% of them receive vouchers to buy food. Some said that the vouchers they receive aren’t enough and they pay for extra food from their own pockets. Others said that the food vouchers they receive are barely enough but they make do.
However, several of those interviewed over 35% said that they sell their food vouchers to pay for rent, cleaning supplies, baby milk and diapers. These families decrease their food portions or buy cheaper type of food to save their food vouchers. The selling value of these vouchers is 25% to 50% of their actual value and sometimes even less. This is also consistent with the feedback from focus groups sessions as detailed in section 5 of the report.
Although by selling their food vouchers the Syrian refugees are paying for much needed items this is a losing mechanism for all. The humanitarian agencies are paying for the actual value while the Syrian refugees are losing up to 50% of this value. Additionally these families are rationalizing their food portions and lowering the quality of their food intake which may lead to health issues.
4.2.5 Work Opportunities for Women
Only 23 out of the 330 participants said that there are work opportunities for woman in the area. Some said there’s work in the field especially during olive season, others said hair saloon at home and some said that they prepare food or crafts and sell it. However, in general the women in the survey were at home without income of their own. Some woman said they can start small business with little cash assistance.
4.3 Shelter All of the sample pool of the Syrian refugees was found living in rented apartments with 4% of them living in multifamily type agreement where more than one family shares the apartment.
Although about 60% of the people surveyed had been in Jordan for over a year only 36% of them have been living in the same location. Equally 36% have been living in the same apartment for over 6 months but less than a year. This could be attributed to the fact that some people stayed in Zaatari camp when they first fled their homes and others reported that they stayed with family and friends until they were able to find a place of their own. This is also consistent with the feedback from focus groups sessions as detailed in section 5 of the report.
4.3.1 Floor Area per Person
Floor area per person is defined as the median floor area (in square meter) of a housing unit divided by the average household size. This measures the adequacy of living spaces and according to the 2011 edition of the SPHERE Project it indicates privacy, safety and health enabling essential household and livelihood activities to be undertaken. As recommended by the SHPERE project the initial covered floor area per person in an emergency situation should be at least 3.5m2.
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Before discussing the current floor per area for the Syrian refugees we researched the existing local conditions. The following data was obtained from a study prepared by the Department of Statistics and the Norwegian Institute for Applied International Studies (Fafo IAS) and published in 2006. The table below shows the percent distribution of households by person per room for various regions in Jordan.
Table (4.6) Percent Distribution of Jordanian Households by Person per Room
Governorate <2 2 - 2.99 ≥3
Amman 72% 21% 7%
Balqa 63% 26% 11%
Zarqa 66% 26% 8%
Madeba 60% 31% 9%
Irbid 64% 26% 10%
Mafraq 57% 29% 13%
*Source (DOS & and Fafo IAS, 2006)
According to the same publication by Fafo IAS the below table shows the living space in m2 available to each household member by size of the household. On the average, Jordanian households each have 115 m2 at their disposal. The median size of a house/shelter is 100 m2. Moreover; a standard house has four rooms, of which two are used for sleeping. Per Jordan Department of Statistics; Jordan Population and Family Health Report; the average Jordanian household size is 5.7 person which according to the below table suggests roughly 13.5m2 per person.
Figure (4.10) Living Space In m2 Available to Each Household Member by Size of the Household*
Source (DOS & and Fafo IAS, 2006)
Now let us look at the Syrian refugees’ situation. From our survey and as illustrated in the below graph the majority of the rented apartments had 2 rooms followed by 3 rooms apartments.
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Figure (4.11) Percentage of Room per Shelter
The average person per room for the Syrian refugees is around 2.7with an average of 6 people per shelter. However, some figures were as high as 14 persons/room in Ramtha and 9 persons/room in Irbid.
The average number of occupants per shelter was 6 across the board, however in Ramtha we had as high as 28 people living in 4 room shelters and as low as 2 people living in 3 rooms shelters. In Irbid we had 27 people sharing a 3 room shelter and we had people living on their own in one room apartments.
Other agencies reported in their studies that housing is becoming increasingly crowded with an average of 7.12 people per shelter, compared to an average of 4.1 found in previous assessments.
From the collected data the following table shows the interpolated person per room distribution in our region of interest for the Syrian refugees. Our study didn’t include the size of the shelters but we can assume overcrowding as most are living in the ≥3 bracket.
Table (4.7) Percent Distribution of Syrian Refugees Households (By Person per Room)
Governorate <2 2 - 2.99 ≥3
Irbid 25% 28% 47%
Ramtha 28% 30% 41%
Mafraq 20% 25% 55%
0%
20%
40%
60%
1 Room 2 Rooms 3 Rooms >3 Rooms
Percent of Rooms per Shelter
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4.3.2 Quality of Shelter
“The apartment is cold”…….
45% of our respondents said that their current shelter is cold and that they either don’t have a heater or that it’s not enough.
During our study data was collected regarding the quality of the apartments in terms of protection from the weather, roof material, working toilets and kitchen.
83% reported that their current apartment is in general protected from the cold weather. As for the material of the roof 52% said that it’s made of zinc sheets while 45% said asbestos. 90% and 80% of respondents said that they have a kitchen and a working toilet in their apartment respectively.
19% of the houses surveyed reported that the walls leak during rainfalls and that the walls are damped. 12% said that the roof leaks during rainfall and 3% are living in houses that overflow when it rains.
All reported that they have electricity but 20% said that they don’t get water from the municipality. When asked about the quality of the water about 80% said that it’s undrinkable.
Our data collectors had commented on some cases where the houses are inhabitable due to extreme damping, poor roofing and no insulation. Some reported cases where the toilet was outside the house. Those who live in what used to be warehouses/stores had the worst quality.
The survey team also noticed some cases where the rent was unusually high considering the quality of the apartment. In one case the kitchen was also used as a bathroom and roof of another house had fallen down. One place used to be a restaurant and they turned it into a makeshift shelter using sheets as dividers to fit more than one family.
4.4 Education Education provides a sense of normalcy for the children and the family providing a healthy routine for the entire family. To this end the study asked about the status of the school aged children who totalled 784 children; 401 boys and 383 girls. There were discrepancies in these numbers when we cross referenced them with similar questions in the survey.
4.4.1 Children Enrolled in Schools
When asked if the school aged children attend school or not and if not why and what are they doing instead the feedback was that 70% of children aged between 5-18 years old do go to school. In our region of interest 70% of boys and 71% of girls attend schools. As seen in the below table the lowest attending percentage is in Mafraq. The reasons stated for that are lack of required documentation such as birth certificates or that the school is too far. The 30% of children who are not attending school in Mafraq were reportedly at home looking for work or already working.
The below table lists the percentages of children attending school per sex per location.
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Table (4.8) Percent of Children in School
Sex/Location % Attending
Boys-Irbid 69%
Girls-Irbid 73%
Boys-Ramtha 74%
Girls-Ramtha 72%
Boys-Mafraq 59%
Girls-Mafraq 57%
The following graph shows the reasons why children are not going to school. The respondents gave a mix of reasons that can be analyzed as detailed below. The major reason for not attending school is the distance and that transportation and other school associated fees are costly. 5% reported that the is working and some of the ones reported others said that the child is looking for work or used to work to support the family income.
Figure (4.12) Reasons Children Not In School
The data come in line with a Syria Refugees in Host Communities findings published by UNHCR Reach Assessment October 2013. 64% of Syrian children go to primary school while 34% go to secondary school. 74% of students are not going to school mostly due to far distance of the school. Several reasons were listed for the children not attending school in Irbid and Ramtha. These included the school too far, lack of classroom space, children needed at home, lack of proper documents, and child is married or sick.
All school aged Jordanian children go to school.
The following chart compares the total number of school aged children versus those actual attending school.
School too far 11% Transportation not
safe 5%
Transportation costly 10%
School insecure 2%
Crowded class room 12%
Child helping at home
3%
Child working 5%
School fees 10%
Lack of documentation
7%
Community doesn’t support
3%
Abuse form other children
1% Child married 3%
Weak academic performance
1%
Child sick 2%
Others 25%
Reasons Not In School
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Figure (4.13) Number of Children in School
0 50 100 150 200
Boys-Irbid
Girls-Irbid
Boys-Ramtha
Girls-Ramtha
Boys-Mafraq
Girls-Mafraq
Number of Children in School per Gender per Region
Attend School
Total
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4.5 Basic Needs (NFI)
The study included data collection of basic needs of non-food items (NFI) such as cooking and heating fuel, cooking pots and utensils, cleaning supplies, baby supplies (milk & diapers) and kitchen items. The survey asked the respondents to prioritize the NFI based on their needs. Throughout the region of interest the first priority for NFI is cooking fuel followed by cleaning products then kitchen items. The graph below illustrates the NFI priority as stated by our respondents in the three regions.
More than 75% of the respondents said that they don’t receive any assistance to secure their needs of NFI. In general the Syrian refugees mainly depend on borrowing money or selling their food vouchers to secure their needs of non-food items. They also reported using their personal savings and donations as other ways to buy NFI. Other respondents listed the need for appliances such as a fridge and more heaters.
Figure (4.14) NFI Priority per Region - SR
As for the Jordanians surveyed their priority of NFI was somewhat similar to those of the Syrian refugees with cooking fuel being the top priority followed by cleaning supplies, kitchen items and cooking pots and utilities. The following graph shows the Jordanian NFI priority.
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Cooking fuel
Cleaning products
Kitchen Items
Cooking Pots
Hygiene Kit
Baby Kits
NFI Priority per Region - SR
Irbid
Ramtha
Mafraq
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Figure (4.15) NFI Priority per Region - Jordanians
The following graph shows the priorities of the Syrian refugees in term of their needs for the winter season. They most need for heaters followed closely by the need for mattresses and hearting/cooking fuel.
Figure (4.16) Winterization Priority - SR
The Jordanian surveyed indicated that securing heating/cooking fuel such as kerosene and gas is their number one priority during the winter season. The need for mattresses followed second then heaters and blankets. The below chart shows the Jordanian winterization priority.
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Cooking fuel Cleaning products
Kitchen Items
Cooking pots and utensils
Hygiene Kit Baby Kits
Jordanian NFI Priority
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Syrian Refugees Winterization Priority
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Figure (4.17) Winterization Priority - Jordanian
4.6 Protection The interviews of the Syrian refugees included questions about vulnerability, challenges and their relationship with the host community.
4.6.1 Vulnerability in Community
As part of the survey participants were asked who are in their opinion the most vulnerable or at risk people in the community.
The following graph shows that the most vulnerable groups are single parents mainly single mothers who had fled Syria without their husbands. The next group was young single woman (unmarried woman).
Figure (4.18) Vulnerability in the Community
0% 5%
10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%
Jordanian Winterization Priority
0% 5%
10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45%
Vulnerability in Community
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The assessment shows that women of all ages are the prime concern for the Syrian families, either single mothers with children or single females with the large percentage of women and children sexual and gender-based violence (SGVB), a persistent feature of the conflict in Syria, remains a constant fear to Syrian families and this threat increase with the increase fear of eviction and/or returning to camps. Known forms of SGBV include forced and early marriage, survival sex and sexual violence. As per Jordan Joint Assessment Review conducted by UNHCR, WFP and UNICEF January 2014; although there is currently no comprehensive data on the prevalence of forced and early marriages, there is evidence that early marriage was already culturally accepted practice in certain parts of Syria. There are indications that the current breakdown in social structures, loss of livelihoods and parental concerns over the ability to ensure their daughters’ safety and security as a result of conflict and displacement may be exacerbating existing harmful cultural practices, including early marriage. Intimate partner violence and domestic violence in homes may be aggravated by the fact that households are socially isolated, under financial strain and lack privacy, which contributes to raising tensions that can sometimes result in violence, often perpetrated by a male head of household, but also females, although to a lesser degree.
Children are at a high risk of labor exploitation and violence as they have no legal rights. One of the biggest potential risks of child labor is the likely increase in financial vulnerability of refugee families as their stay in Jordan lengthens. Female-headed households are more likely to have children engaged in labor than other households due to their reduced economic capacity and reduced movements outside the home.
4.6.2 Main Challenges
“We live in fear of eviction”
Syrian refugees and those in the focus groups who had participated in this study were asked the 330 what are the main problems that they or their families are facing. The answer was almost always economic, mainly paying the rent. The high cost of living in Jordan topped by what they say the high rent that the Syrian refugees have to pay is the main challenge facing them. Paying for utilities electricity, cooking/heating fuel & water is another monthly problem for them.
Additionally, the problem of not being able to work either due to disability incurred in Syria during the current crises or the lack of work due to tough economic situation in Jordan or due to government crackdown on illegal workers are also difficulties that they endure.
4.6.3 Relationship with host community
In general the participants said that they have a good relationship with the Jordanian community. Several of the Syrian refugees interviewed said that they keep to themselves and have no interaction with their neighbors.
Few about 4% of the 330 interviewed reported problems ranging from kids bullying Syrian children at school or on the streets to bad tempered attitudes. Syrian parents often do not allow children to play outside. Reasons for reduced movement for children are mainly feelings of distress and fear, and for adults, feelings of estrangement
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4.6.4 Host Community, Economic, Resources And Space Implications Feedback from the Jordanians interviewed as well as some of the Syrian refugees reported that there’s a strain on the Jordanian families as direct and indirect results of the Syrian crises. The influx of the refugees to the regions of interest Irbid, Ramtha & Mafraq resulted in a sharp increase in demand for housing. This led according to those interviews to a sharp increase in rent paid by Jordanian families and sometimes even the eviction of Jordanians by the landlords to rent out to Syrian families who pay more in rent than the Jordanians.
The rising rental rates on current property are forcing households to divert a larger portion of their monthly income to housing costs. According to a Mercy Corp study published in 2012 the average amount spent per month on rent in 2011 was JOD 50 while families are now paying JOD 150-200. Overcrowding of schools is another implication to the Jordanian community; some interviewed earlier said that their children had to transfer to other schools due to the increasing number of Syrian refugees student in their schools.
4.6.5 Work Opportunities
“The Syrians are doing work that Jordanians refuse to do.”…
The Department of Statistics issued its quarterly report on the Unemployment Rate during the third Quarter of 2013 based on the Employment and Unemployment Survey / Third Round. The results show that the Unemployment Rate has reached 14.0% during the third Quarter of 2013. The Unemployment Rate has increased in this quarter by nine percent points compared with 13.1 in the same quarter of 2012.
Although there’s no direct link of this increase to the Syrian refugees’ influx the government of Jordan has voiced concerns over pressure on the Jordanian labor market, and the growing number of children working illegally brought about by the Syrian crisis.
4.6.6 Environmental Impact to Host Community
“The infrastructure simply can’t handle the pressure.”Water and Irrigation Ministry Secretary General BassemTilfah
A flood of Syrian refugees is threatening to turn Jordan’s chronic water shortage into a crisis.
Jordan has recently become the world’s third poorest country in terms of water resources, the influx of Syrian refugees bouncing the country up from fourth place, according to Jordanian officials. Making matters worse is the threat posed to underground aquifers by the sprawling Zaatari camp in northern Jordan, which houses more than 120,000 Syrian refugees.
Partly in response to growing resentment among Jordanians, U.N. aid workers started a program to educate Syrian refugees accustomed to plentiful water supplies in their homeland about the scarcity of water in Jordan, and the importance of reducing waste. Due to the high cost of water the Syrian refugees interviewed said that they are now rationalizing the use of water as well as electricity.
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5.0 Focus Groups Analysis “Rent is breaking our back”
We conducted four focus group discussions during our study; two sessions in Mafraq and 2 sessions in Irbid. The Syrian participants were all registered at the UNHCR and some receives cash assistance that they use for rent from other organizations. In total we had 41 participants 5 of which were Jordanians and the rest Syrians, with 23 females and 18 males in total. Throughout the 4 sessions the participants agreed that the monthly rent is “breaking their back”, an expression we heard several times during the sessions.
The below is a summary of the focus group sessions in Mafraq and Irbid. In general there were no significant differences in the feedback of the males and the females. Furthermore, the results of these discussions echoed that obtained from the surveys and interviews conducted.
5.1 Focus Group - Mafraq The age of the male participants in Mafraq averaged 41 years ranging from 27 to 57 years while the females averaged 36 years old ranging from 25 to 49 years. All participants said that the rents were too expensive and that the landlords increase rent at times. The average monthly rent in Mafraq was 206 JOD ranging from 60 JOD for a cooperative type rent of one room to 300 JOD for a 3 bedroom apartment. The male participants said that they pay the rent on monthly basis while some females reported that they are forced to pay 3 to 6 months in advance which is a great burden on them. Most participants said that their relationship with their landlord is good as long as they pay the rent on time.
When asked about the availability of the rentals most had said that it was difficult to find an apartment especially when they first came to Mafraq either directly from Syria or through the Zaatari camp. The women reported that some landlords refused them because they had children. The participants also said that the different lifestyle between Jordanians and Syrians results in different sleeping hours, with Jordanians sleeping earlier therefore needing the building to be quiet at earlier hours than that of the Syrians. This at times along with the children’s’ playing noises caused at times some disagreements with neighbors of the same building.
When asked about the quality and safety of their apartment’s participants in Mafraq said that in general they live in a medium to good apartments. The main issue was that the sun doesn’t enter the rooms and that some rooms were damped. Few said that the rain water overflows into the house. Most reported that they live within walking distance to basic services including schools and shopping areas except health care. Some women said that the schools are too far which forces them to either use the transportation or not send the children to school at all.
The Jordanian participants shared some of the same worries as their fellow Syrians but they reported working as the only method available to them to pay for all living expenses and especially the rent which increased with the influx of the Syrians to the area.
The general consensus is that the rent is the most worrisome fear for the Syrian refugees. They said that the food coupons they get are sufficient, they have access to health care and in general education but for people who are not used to leaving in rented apartments they now fear the beginning of each month with the shadow of eviction and homelessness looming over them.
5.2 Focus Group - Irbid The age of the male participants in Irbid averaged 38 years ranging from 22 to 47 years while the females averaged 40 years old ranging from 22 to 57 years. The average monthly rent in Irbid was 201 JOD ranging from 130 JOD for a cooperative type rent of one room to 385 JOD for a 3 bedroom apartment. The participants said that they pay the rent on monthly basis and that the landlord may wait up to 2 weeks for late payment. Again as in Mafraq the participants said that their relationship with their landlord is good as long as they pay the rent on time.
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When asked about the availability of the rentals in Irbid most had said that it was difficult to find an apartment especially when they first came to Irbid. Families with working family members are opting to leave the city to remote rural areas to avoid Ministry of Labor officers. Some participants reported that some landlords refused them because they had children or due to large families.
When we discussed the quality and safety of the apartment’s participants in Irbid like in Mafraq said that in general they live in a medium to good apartments. The main issue was that the sun doesn’t enter all the rooms and that some rooms were damped. Most reported that they live within walking distance to basic services including schools and shopping areas except health care. Some women said that the schools are too far which forces them to either use the transportation or not send the children to school at all.
Jordanian and Syrian participants said that some Jordanian families were forced to evict their homes because the landlord wants to rent Syrian families who pay higher rent.
5.3 Current Cash for Rent Programs Some of the participants from the 4 focus groups are currently or were in the past beneficiaries of some cash for rent programs either through Islamic Relief-Jordan or other programs. These programs have stipulations of providing certified rental contracts from the municipalities; this is a problem to some in Mafraq as some of these rentals are not registered in the municipality to avoid paying taxes or because these apartments were illegally built. This is not an issue in Irbid as the laws are more adhered to, however the participants in the focus groups said that they paid for the certification fees from their own pockets.
Another condition to receiving this assistance is paying the cash directly to the landlord some of the participants said that this is causing them aggravation as some landlords aren’t cooperative with them. Some of the reasons they listed is that some live far away, others say they are too busy and some demand payments of up to 15 JD to accompany them to receive this benefit every month. The participants said that this is a dignity issue for them and they wanted to know why such burdens were being forced on them.
Additionally, some said that once the landlords learn of the cash assistance they start to either increase the rent or increase other fees such as utilities.
5.4 Utility Bills Most participants in all sessions raised concerns over the water and electrical bills. Some share the same utility meter resulting in higher consumption therefore higher tariffs and some have commercial utility meters so they pay higher tariffs than those of the domestic. Some participants who pay their bills directly to the landlord said they pay more than the actual amount on the bill.
Although most said that they get their water from the municipality some said that they have to use water tanks which is expensive. Here we discussed the different lifestyles as Syrians, unlike Jordanians, are used to abundance of natural resources that are relatively affordable to all in Syria.
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5.5 Coping Mechanisms We discussed the coping mechanisms for securing the monthly rent, most said that they barely make it every month.
5.5.1 Mafraq
Several participants said that they are 4 to 5 months late in paying the rent. None of the participants or any of their family members works although some did work for few months but had to stop as they didn’t have work permits. Some had little savings when they first came to Jordan and some had sold their jewelry but that only lasted them a month or so. Private donations are irregular and sporadic and several of the participants said that they sell some of their food coupons to pay for rent. This according to participants results in reducing meal sizes, buying on credit and purchasing cheaper, lower-quality foods. Some even said that they had to sell their appliances heaters and even blankets to pay for rent. Few receive cash from organizations and they use that to cover part of the rent even those who received assistance from some winterization programs had to use the money to pay for rent. Most in Irbid as in Mafraq reported negative coping mechanisms such as increasing debts.
5.5.2 Irbid
“Unless something changes fast I’m going back to Zaatari camp”
That’s what one lady holding a 5 month old baby said, others said that going back to Syria is more dignified than having to scavenge the monthly rent. Few participants or their family members used to work few months but had to stop as they didn’t have work permits. Some had little savings when they first came to Jordan and some had sold their jewelry, livestock, cars and other assets but that only lasted them few months. Private donations are irregular and sporadic and several of the participants said that they sell some of their food coupons to pay for rent. This according to participants results in reducing meal sizes, buying on credit and purchasing cheaper, lower-quality foods. Some even said that they sell the physical donations they get such as the winterization kits to pay for rent. Some said that they cut down on transportation expenses and opt to walk to save money for rent. They also said that they sell their coupons to buy baby milk, diapers & cleaning supplies. Few receive cash from organizations and they use that to cover part of the rent even those who received assistance from some winterization programs had to use the money to pay for rent. Most reported negative coping mechanisms such as increasing debts. Woman said that if they can have some startup funds they can start their own small business at home to support their families.
34
6.0 Conclusion With the current situation in Syria most refugees have no plans of going back and most have
been in Jordan for over one year.
Syrian biggest challenge is how to afford the high cost of living in Jordan, specially paying for rent.
Our study had showed that for many Syrian refugees, their immediate and biggest fear is how to pay the monthly rent. They also worry about paying for electricity, water, baby needs and cleaning supplies.
Our study had showed that 38% of Syrian families’ monthly expenditure is to pay for rent. This led them to live in fear of eviction and homelessness.
Syrians and Jordanians have differences in terms of their main income sources. Syrian communities remain highly dependent on the support received by humanitarian agencies. Some Syrian families were earning money through sporadic work. Jordanians had more sustainable income sources through their jobs.
Syrian refugees increasingly resort to negative coping mechanisms such as the selling of personal items, selling food vouchers, borrowing money and buying essential items on credit. Due to lack of sufficient income this will lead to an expected increase in household debts. This could cause severe constraints to families in the near future.
Food vouchers are essential to the livelihood of the Syrian families. They use the vouchers to secure their needs of food, NFI and to pay for rent.
Significant amount of Syrian school aged children are attending schools.
Current programs that give out cash for rent are helping to pay for part of the rent but most of these programs are short termed due to fund availability at donor agencies.
Jordanians spend most on food followed by rent while Syrians spend significantly more on rent than food. This is in part due to the food vouchers 95% of them receive.
Jordanians cost of living had increased due to the Syrian crises with no significant increase in income.
7.0 Recommendations To reduce the negative coping mechanism used by the Syrian refugees’ additional cash for
rent programs need to be implemented with long term planning and sustainability.
Conduct further studies about credit and loan patterns and coping with as it’s a growing concern among communities and may lead to sever negative effects for both refugees and host community.
A method to cap rent increase is needed to benefit Jordanians and Syrians alike.
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Setting minimum codes for shelters eligible for aid programs to encourage refugees to seek better shelters. This might also persuade landlords to repair their rentals.
Condition assistance or its continuation to children aged children attending schools. This is a mechanism to ensure that children are receiving education and are not being exploited through either child labor or GBV.
Set programs to increase the Syrian refugees awareness specially for vulnerable groups children families to be as independent as possible and to understand their shelter rights and obligations under the Jordanian Tenancy Law
Increase awareness of available programs of cash assistance for Jordanians to establish small income generating activities that can generate a quick economic
36
8.0 Annexes
8.1 Survey Assessment Form – Syrian Refugees
Survey/AssessmentForm
نموذج تقييم/استبيان
Syrian Refugees in Mafraq & Irbid – Jordan
األردن -الالجئين السوريين في المفرق واربد
1. Assessingagencyinformationمعلومات المنظمة المقيمة لالجئين
Nameof thesurveyor:
اسم المقيم
Dateofassessment:
تاريخ التقييم
Location of Survey (القرية -المحافظة) موقع عمل االستبيان
2.Respondent information معلومات الالجئ
AreyouHead of Household?هل أنت رب األسرة
1 Yes2 نعم No ال
Sex: الجنس
1 Maleذكر
2 Female ىأنث
Age: العمر
MaritalStatus 1 2 3 4
5 Single الحالة االجتماعية عزباء /أعزب Married ة /متزوج Widow ة / أرمل Divorced ة /مطلق
Separated/abandoned
ة/مهجور –ة /منفصل Sex of family household
1 Male2ذكر Female ىأنث
Why did you move to Jordan? لماذا انتقلت إلى األردن؟
How long haveyou been In Jordan? ؟كم تقدر المدة الزمنية التي مكثتم فيها منذ مجيئكم إلى األردن
1 ≤ 1 mo. 2شهر أو أقل 1-3mo. أشهر1-3 3 3-6 mo. أشهر 3-6
4 6 – 12 mo. شهر 6-11 5 ≥ 1 yearأكثر من سنة
Are you registered with UNHCR? هل أنت مسجل كالجيء في المفوضية السامية لشؤون الالجئين (UNHCR)؟
1 Yes2 نعم Noال
Did you get any information about the registration process in Jordan? And / or about the assistance you
receive?
هل حصلت على أي معلومات بخصوص عملية التسجيل في األردن؟ وعن المساعدة التي التي تتلقاها أو التي ستتلقاها
1 Yes2 نعم Noال Do you plan to return home?
هل تخطط للعودة إلى بلدك
1 YesنعمWhen?2_________________________________متى؟ Noال
. _____________________________________________________________
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What obstacles do you expect to find when you return home?
ما هي العوائق التي تتوقع أن تعترضك عند رجوعك إلى بلدك؟
‘
3. Demographicsإحصائيات
3.1 Whatis the totalnumberofpeople currently in yourhousehold?
كم العدد اإلجمالي لألفراد الذين يقيمون حاليا هنا معكم؟Males: ذكور _______
Females:
______ ناث إ
3.2 Whatis the totalnumberofyour immediate family
؟ الدرجة األولى بالقرابةكم العدد اإلجمالي ألفراد أسرتك من Males: ذكور _______
Females: ______ ناث إ
3.3 Howmany children(from 5 -18 years) areinyour household?
يقيمون حاليا هنا معكم؟ من عمر الخامسة وحتى الثامنة عشرة كم عدد االطفال Males: ذكور _______
Females: ______ ناث إ
3.4 Howmany children(under age5) areinyourhousehold?
يقيمون حاليا هنا معكم؟كم عدد األطفال تحت عمر الخامسة Males: ذكور _______
Females: ______
ناث إ
3.5 Do you have elderly member (above 60)?
؟ (66فوق ال)هل يقيم معكم مسن أو مسنة Males:
ذكور _______
Females: ______
ناث إ
3.6 Do you have a family member with disability?
؟ (سواء الجسدية أو العقلية)هل يوجد في أسرتك فرد من ذوي اإلعاقات Males: ذكور _______
Females: ______ ناث إ
4. Family economic statusالوضع االقتصادي لألسرة
4.1 Who makes the decisions about money and how to spend it in your family/household? من الذي يقوم باتخاذ القرارات بخصوص االنفاق على المسكن في أسرتك؟
1 HoH2رب األسرة Family decision جماعيقرار 3 Other أخرى
4.2 What have you done, and what resources have you used, in order to meet your basic food and other needs since you have been in Jordan?
األردن؟ما هي المصادر التي استعنت بها وما الذي فعلته لجني قوتك األساسي من الغذاء وغيره منذ أن أتيت إلى 1 Personal resources (بيع الممتلكات, عمل بأجرة يومية, مدخرات)مصادر شخصية
2 Work عمل
3 Assistancefrom charity(financialor in-kind) (عينية أو غير عينية)مساعدات خيرية 4 Assistance fromfamily مساعدات عائلية
5 Other أخرى _______________________
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4.3 With your current resources how long do you think you will be able to manage to live where you are now?
الى متى تعقتد أنك ستستطيع الحصول عليها؟, اعتمادا على المصادر الحالية للحصول على الغذاء وغيره
4.4 What are the main sources of income for refugees in this area (e.g. casual work, aid, remittances,
selling assets etc?)
, بيع األصل, مساعدات خيرية, العمل االعتيادي)ما هو المصدر الرئيسي لدخل الالجئين الذين يقيمون في هذه المنطقة تحديدا؟ ( غيره, حواالت نقدية
1 Personal resources (بيع الممتلكات, يوميةعمل بأجرة , مدخرات)مصادر شخصية
2 Work عمل
3 Assistancefrom charity(financialor in-kind) (عينية أو غير عينية)مساعدات خيرية 4 Assistance fromfamily مساعدات عائلية
5 Other أخرى _______________________
4.5 Are there opportunities for women to find work? هل تتواجد هنا فرص عمل للنساء؟
1 Yes2 _______________________ نعم No ال
4.6 Do you get any type assistance from donor agencies or others? ؟هل تتلقى دعم من اي جهة 1 Yes2 نعم No ال
If Yes list the source(s) ___________________________________________________________ اذا نعم اذكر الجهه
4.7 What type of assistance do you receive? ما نوع المساعدة الخيرية التي تتلقاها؟ 1 Cash for _____________________________________ نقدا لدفع Amount القيمة
_________
2 Vouchers for __________________________________ لشراءقسائم Amount _________القيمة
3 In kind for _____________________________________ مساعدات عينية Amount القيمة
_________
4 Others (specify) ________________________________ اخرى Amount القيمة
_________
4.8 How much in JD do you monthly pay for each of the following? كم تدفع شهريا بالدينار األردني لكل من التالي؟
Health الرعاية الصحية: ___________________
Electricity كهرباء: ___________________
Waterالماء: ___________________
Fuel (غاز, كاز)الوقود : ___________________
Clothesالمالبس: ___________________
Educationالتعليم: ___________________
Rentاإليجار: ___________________
Foodالغذاء: ___________________
Transportation وسائل النقل: ___________________
Cleaning supplies مواد تنظيف :______________
Smokingالتدخين: ___________________
Otherأخرى: ___________________
5Shelterالمسكن
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5.1 Type of accommodation نوع المسكن
1 Host2استضافة Relatives/Family عائلة /أقارب 3 Tentخيمة
4 Rented apartment 5شقة مستأجرة Co-op (اكثر من عائلة واحدة)تشاركي 6 Other/Specify حدد/أخرى
5.2 How long hasthefamily been at this location? ؟المسكنكم مضي عليكم في هذا
1 ≤ 1 mo.2شهر أو أقل 1-3mo. أشهر 1-3 3 3-6 mo. أشهر 3-6
4 6 – 12 mo. شهر 6-11 5 ≥ 1 yearأكثر من سنة
منذ متى تقيم أسرتك هنا
5.3 Is thereakitcheninyour household? ؟المسكنهل يوجد مطبخ في
1 Yes 2 نعم No ال
5.4 Is thereaworking toiletinyour household? ؟هل تتوفر في المنزل دورات مياه تعمل بشكل مناسب
1 Yes 2 نعم No3ال Partiallyيعمل جزئيا
5.5 What’sthe total numberof roomsforlivingspace (excludingkitchen&bathroom)? ؟(باستثناء المطبخ والدورة الصحية)كم العدد االجمالي للغرف في المسكن المخصص لكم
1 1 Room غرفة واحدة
2 2 Roomsغرفتان 3 3 Rooms ثالثة غرف
4 >3 Rooms غرف 3ن أكثر م
5.6 Areyouprotectedfromtheweather in your current shelter? ؟الحماية الالزمة من الظروف الجوية المسكنهل يوفر لك
1 Yes 2 نعم No ال
5.7 What is the roof made of?مكونات الرئيسية التي يتكون منها سقف المنزل؟
1 Zink sheets صفائحزينك
2 Asbestos اسبست
3 Cement boards ألواحاسمنتية
4 Other أخرى________________________
5.8 What percentage of family income is spent on shelter? ؟ المسكنكم النسبة المئوية من دخل األسرة التي تصرف على
1 ≤ 10% ( أو أقل 16)% 2 10%-30% 30%-50% 4 50%-70%5 Other (specify) (حدد)أخرى ______________________________
5.9 How much do you pay for rent each month? كم يبلغ اإليجار الذي تدفعه مقابل بدل سكن شهريا؟
5.10 How do you pay for the rent? ما هي مصادرك لدفع االيجار؟ 1 Personal resources (الممتلكات بيع, عمل بأجرة يومية, مدخرات)مصادر شخصية
2 Work عمل
3 Assistancefrom charity(financialor in-kind) (عينية أو غير عينية)مساعدات خيرية 4 Assistance fromfamily مساعدات عائلية
5 Other أخرى _______________________
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5.11 What challenges do refugees experience in finding accommodation in this area?
ما هي الصعوبات التي يواجهها الالجئون إليجاد مسكن في هذه المنطقة تحديدا؟
5.12 Is your shelter close to health care providers? ؟الخدمات الطبيةهل المسكن قريب من
1 Yes 2 نعم No ال
5.13 Do you think most refugees in this area feel secure in their accommodation, or are there risks or
uncertainties (e.g. potential for eviction, unable to pay rent, trying to find cheaper place)?
بإعتقادك هل أغلب الالجئين في المنطقة يشعرون باألمان في مساكنهم أم أن هناك مخاطر أو قلق حيال بعض الظروف على سبيل المثال ؟(الية طلب إخالء أوعدم القدرة على دفع اإليجار أو محاولة الحصول على مسكن أرخص ثمناإحتم)
1 Yes/ Specify please اذكرها لطفا / نعم ________________________________________ 2 No ال
5.14 Do you get water from the tap?هل تحصل على الماء من الحنفية؟
1 Yes 2 نعم No ال
5.15 What do you think about the water quality?ما رأيك بجودة الماء من حيث صالحيته لالستهالك البشري؟
1 Drinkable2 صالح للشرب Undrinkableغير صالح للشرب
5.16 Do you have electricity in the house?هل يوجد تيار كهربائي في بيتك؟ 1 Yes 2 نعم No ال
5.17 List the usual problems that happen during rainfall? أي من المشاكل التالية تحدث عادة عندما تمطر؟
1 House overflows المنزل يفيض بالمياه
2 Roof leaks السقف يرشح بالماء
3 Wall leaks المياه تتسرب عبر الجدران
4 Others (Specify)
5.18 What are the main problems you face in your house? ؟ منزلك الحالي ك فيما هي المشاكل الرئيسية التي تواجه
Lack of rooms(crowded rooms) 1(المسكن مكتظ بالسكان)لغرف اهنالك عدد قليل للغاية من
Lack of warmness (too cold in the winter) 2(المسكن بارد جدا في الشتاء)نقص في التدفئة
Lack of healthy environment 3 (دورات مياه، حمامات)نقص في أحوال المرافق الصحية المناسبة
(WC, etc)
Lack of proper sewage pipes 4 نقص في الربط بشبكة المجاري
5 No problems د مشاكل رئيسية يعاني منها منزليجال تو
6 Other, specify please تحديدها أخرى، يرجى _______________________________________________
.
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5.19 Surveyor Observationsمالحظات المقيم
6 Educationالتعليم
6.1 Howmany childrenwereattending schoolinSyria? كم عدد أطفالك الذين كانوا يرتادون المدرسة في سوريا Boys األوالد Girls البنات:
Year ofbirth
تاريخ الوالدة
Sex
الجنس
Grade
الصف
Are theyattending
schoolthis year?
هل يرتادون المدرسة لهذه السنة
Ifyes, where?
اذا كان جوابك نعم ما اسم المدرسة
Comment
مالحظات
42
6.2 For childrennot attendingschool this year, what arethereasons?(checkallthat apply)
؟(الرجاء تظليل المربع امام جميع األسباب المتوافرة)ما أسباب عدم ارتياد المدرسة
1. School is too far المدرسة بعيدة جدا
2. Transportation to school is not safe المواصالت المتاحة للمدرسة غير آمنة
3. Transportation to school is costly وسائل المواصالت المتاحة مكلفة األطفال يشعرون بعدم األمان / أجواء المدرسة غير آمنة .4
العدد كبير جدا بالنسبة لعدد المقاعد المدرسية داخل / ي المقاعد المدرسيةنقص ف .5
الصف بسبب الحاجة لألطفال للقيام بالمساعدة في المسكن .6
يحتاج األطفال لجمع الطعام او المصروف اليومي .7
8. ’t afford school fees or costs عدم استطاعة توفير الرسوم المدرسية بكافة أشكالها
شهادة )عدم توفر الوثائق الرسمية المطلوبة .9(الميالد
10. y) المجتمع ال يساند تعليم اإلناث أو ذوي
الحاجات الخاصة اإلساءة من قبل ألطفال اآلخرين .11
ة/الطفل أو الطفلة متزوج .12
أداء أكاديمي ضعيف .13ة مريض عقليا/الطفل .14
حدد, أخرى___________________________________________ .15
6.3 Doyouhaveaccess toinformation on education opportunities available in your area?
؟هل يوجد مصدر للمعلومات عن فرص التعليم المتوفرة في منطقتك
1 Yes 2 نعم No ال
6.4 Ifchildrencannot attendformal school, whatarethealternatives available?
؟ما هي طرق التعليم المتاحة لألطفال الغير قادرين على ارتياد المدارس بشكل رسمي ومنتظم
1 Vocationaltrainings الدورات التدريبية المهنية
2 Technical schools التعليم المهني
3 Acceleratedlearning programs البرامج التعليمية المكثفة 4 Psychosocial activities األنشطة الجتماعية
5 Other (specify) ( حدد)أخرى _______________________________________
(
6.5 What the school leaver does now? ة المدرسة حاليا؟/تعمل تارك/ماذا يعمل
She/he has work.1لديها عمل/لديه
She/he seeking a work.2تبحث عن عمل/يبحث
At home to help the family.3العائلة/في البيت لمساعدة الزوج At home doing nothing.4في البيت دون عمل شيء
Other.5أخرى_________________________________________________
7Basicneeds (NonFood Items) ( غذائيةالالمواد غير )الحاجات الغير الرئيسية
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7.1 Pleaserank thefollowing NFIs in termsofpriorityof needs. الرجاء ترتيب الحاجيات التالية حسب أهميتها
Cooking fuel مصدر طاقة لدواعي الطبخ
Cooking potsandutensils أواني الطبخ Cleaningproducts مواد التنظيف
KitchenItems أدوات مطبخية
Hygiene Kit لوازم صحية
Baby Kits لوازم أطفال رضع Other, pleasespecify الرجاء التحديد, أخرى _______________________________
7.2 Pleaseranktheseitems interms ofpriorityofneedsduring winter الرجاء ترتيب الحاجيات التالية حسب أهميتها أثناء
الشتاء
Clothes المالبس
Blankets األغطية
Mattresses فرشات النوم Stove (صوبة)موقد
Fuel (غاز, كاز)وقود
Windproofing (عباءة, فروة)واقي الرياح Flooring أرضيات واقية
Wall and roofinsulation عوازل السقف والجدران
Other أخرى __________________________
7.3 Areyoucurrentlyreceiving any assistanceinNFIs? ؟حاليا( غيرالمواد الغذائية)هل تتلقى أي مساعدات
1 Yes 2 ______________________________________________________ نعم No ال
7.4 What’s your sourceofNFIs? ؟ ما هو المصدر الذي تتلقى منه احتياجاتك من المواد الغير غذائية
1 Personal resources (savings, selling assets, daily work) بيع , عمل بأجرة يومية, مدخرات)مصادر شخصية (الممتلكات
2 Credit(shoporfinancial) ( تمويل او استثمارات)رصيد
3 Assistancefrom charity(financialor in-kind) (عينية أو غير عينية)مساعدات خيرية 4 Sharing withhostfamily مشاركة العائلة المضيفة
5 Other (specify) (حدد) أخرى __________________________
8. Protectionالحماية
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8.1 Who are themost vulnerable oratriskpeoplein your community? من هم األشخاص األكثر عرضة للمخاطر في
؟ مجتمعك
1 Single Parent لوحدها مع األطفالأو األم لوحده مع األطفالاألب 2 Single femalewithout children الفتاة العزباء بال أطفال
3 Unaccompaniedelderly (66فوق ال )مسن وحيد
4 Unaccompaniedminor (11تحت ال )قاصر وحيد
5 Orphansأيتام 6 Persons withphysical disabilitiesاألشخاص ذوي االعاقات الجسدية
7 Chronically ill personsأشخاص ذوي األمراض المزمنة
8 Persons withmental disability األشخاص ذوي االعاقات العقلية 9 Other(please specify) (حدد لطفا)أخرى _______________________________
8.2 What are themainproblems thatyouand yourfamily arecurrently facing? ؟ما هي المشاكل األساسية التي تواجهونها أنت واسرتك في الوقت الحالي
8.3 How would you describe the relationship between the host community (Jordanian and non-Jordanian) and the
Syrian refugee population? How is your relationship with other refugees?
وبين الالجئين السوريين؟ وكيف هي عالقتك بالالجئين ( األردنيون وغير األردنيون)كيف تصف العالقة بين المجتمع المضيف
اآلخرين؟
45
8.2 Survey Assessment Form – Jordanian Survey/AssessmentForm
نموذج تقييم/استبيان
Syrian Refugees in Mafraq & Irbid – Jordan
األردن –الالجئين السوريين في المفرق واربد
For Jordanian - لالردنين
1. Assessingagencyinformationمعلومات المنظمة المقيمة لالجئين
Nameof thesurveyor:
اسم المقيم
Dateofassessment:
تاريخ التقييم
Location of Survey (القرية -المحافظة) موقع عمل االستبيان
2.Respondent information معلومات الالجئ
AreyouHead of Household?هل أنت رب األسرة
1 Yes2 نعم No ال
Sex: الجنس
1 Maleذكر
2 Female ىأنث
Age: العمر
MaritalStatus 1 2 3 4 5 Single الحالة االجتماعية عزباء /أعزب Married ة /متزوج Widow ة / أرمل Divorced ة /مطلق
Separated/abandoned
ة/مهجور –ة /منفصل Sex of family household
1 Male2ذكر Female ىأنث
‘
3. Demographicsإحصائيات
3.1 Whatis the totalnumberofpeople currently in yourhousehold?
كم العدد اإلجمالي لألفراد الذين يقيمون حاليا هنا معكم؟Males: _______ ذكور
Females: ______ ناث إ
3.2 Whatis the totalnumberofyour immediate family ؟ بالقرابةكم العدد اإلجمالي ألفراد أسرتك من الدرجة األولى
Males: _______ ذكور Females: ______ ناث إ
3.3 Howmany children(from 5 -18 years) areinyour household?
يقيمون حاليا هنا معكم؟ من عمر الخامسة وحتى الثامنة عشرة كم عدد االطفال Males: _______ ذكور
Females: ______ ناث إ
3.4 Howmany children(under age5) areinyourhousehold?
يقيمون حاليا هنا معكم؟كم عدد األطفال تحت عمر الخامسة Males: _______ ذكور
Females: ______ ناث إ
3.5 Do you have elderly member (above 60)?
؟ (66فوق ال)هل يقيم معكم مسن أو مسنة Males: _______ ذكور
Females: ______ ناث إ
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3.6 Do you have a family member with disability?
؟ (سواء الجسدية أو العقلية)هل يوجد في أسرتك فرد من ذوي اإلعاقات Males: _______ ذكور
Females: ______ ناث إ
4. Family economic statusالوضع االقتصادي لألسرة
4.1 Who makes the decisions about money and how to spend it in your family/household? من الذي يقوم باتخاذ القرارات بخصوص االنفاق على المسكن في أسرتك؟ 1 HoH2رب األسرة Family decision 3قرار جماعي Other أخرى
4.2 What have you done, and what resources have you used, in order to meet your basic food and other needs?
ما هي المصادر التي استعنت بها وما الذي فعلته لجني قوتك األساسي من الغذاء وغيره ؟
1 Personal resources (بيع الممتلكات, عمل بأجرة يومية, مدخرات)مصادر شخصية
2 Work عمل
3 Assistancefrom charity(financialor in-kind) (عينية أو غير عينية)مساعدات خيرية
4 Assistance fromfamily مساعدات عائلية 5 Other أخرى _______________________
4.3 With your current resources how long do you think you will be able to manage to live where you are now?
الى متى تعقتد أنك ستستطيع الحصول عليها؟, اعتمادا على المصادر الحالية للحصول على الغذاء وغيره
4.4 Are there opportunities for women to find work? هل تتواجد هنا فرص عمل للنساء؟ 1 Yes2 _______________________ نعم No ال
4.5 Do you get any type assistance from donor agencies or others? ؟هل تتلقى دعم من اي جهة 1 Yes2 نعم No ال
If Yes list the source(s) ___________________________________________________________ اذا نعم
اذكر الجهه
4.6 What type of assistance do you receive? ما نوع المساعدة الخيرية التي تتلقاها؟ 1 Cash for _____________________________________ نقدا لدفع Amount _________ القيمة
2 Vouchers for __________________________________ لشراءقسائم Amount _________مة القي
3 In kind for _____________________________________ مساعدات عينية Amount القيمة
_________ Others (specify) ________________________________ اخرى Amount _________ القيمة
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4.7 How much in JD do you monthly pay for each of the following? كم تدفع شهريا بالدينار األردني لكل من التالي؟
Health الرعاية الصحية: ___________________
Electricity كهرباء: ___________________
Waterالماء: ___________________
Fuel (غاز, كاز)الوقود : ___________________
Clothesالمالبس: ___________________
Educationالتعليم: ___________________
Rentاإليجار: ___________________
Foodالغذاء: ___________________
Transportation وسائل النقل: ___________________
Cleaning supplies مواد تنظيف :______________
Smokingالتدخين: ___________________
Otherأخرى: ___________________
5Shelterالمسكن
5.1 Type of accommodation نوع المسكن
1 Host2استضافة Relatives/Family عائلة /أقارب 3 Tentخيمة
4 Rented apartment 5شقة مستأجرة Co-op (اكثر من عائلة واحدة)تشاركي 6 Other/Specify حدد/أخرى
5.2 How long hasthefamily been at this location? ؟المسكنكم مضي عليكم في هذا
1 ≤ 1 mo.2شهر أو أقل 1-3mo. أشهر 1-3 3 3-6 mo. أشهر 3-6
4 6 – 12 mo. شهر 6-11 5 ≥ 1 yearأكثر من سنة
منذ متى تقيم أسرتك هنا
5.3 Is thereakitcheninyour household? ؟المسكنهل يوجد مطبخ في
1 Yes 2 نعم No ال
5.4 Is thereaworking toiletinyour household? ؟هل تتوفر في المنزل دورات مياه تعمل بشكل مناسب
1 Yes 2 نعم No3ال Partiallyيعمل جزئيا
5.5 What’sthe total numberof roomsforlivingspace (excludingkitchen&bathroom)? ؟(باستثناء المطبخ والدورة الصحية)المسكن المخصص لكم كم العدد االجمالي للغرف في
1 1 Room غرفة واحدة
2 2 Roomsغرفتان 3 3 Rooms ثالثة غرف
4 >3 Rooms غرف 3ن أكثر م
5.6 Areyouprotectedfromtheweather in your current shelter? ؟الحماية الالزمة من الظروف الجوية المسكنهل يوفر لك
1 Yes 2 نعم No ال
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5.7 What is the roof made of?مكونات الرئيسية التي يتكون منها سقف المنزل؟
1 Zink sheets صفائحزينك
2 Asbestos اسبست
3 Cement boards ألواحاسمنتية
4 Other أخرى________________________
5.8 What percentage of family income is spent on shelter? ؟ المسكنكم النسبة المئوية من دخل األسرة التي تصرف على
1 ≤ 10% ( أو أقل 16)% 2 10%-30% 30%-50%
4 50%-70%5 Other (specify) (حدد)أخرى ______________________________
5.9 How much do you pay for rent each month? كم يبلغ اإليجار الذي تدفعه مقابل بدل سكن شهريا؟
5.10 How do you pay for the rent? ما هي مصادرك لدفع االيجار؟
1 Personal resources (بيع الممتلكات, عمل بأجرة يومية, مدخرات)مصادر شخصية
2 Work عمل 3 Assistancefrom charity(financialor in-kind) (عينية أو غير عينية)مساعدات خيرية
4 Assistance fromfamily مساعدات عائلية
5 Other أخرى _______________________
5.11 Is your shelter close to health care providers? ؟الخدمات الطبيةهل المسكن قريب من
1 Yes 2 نعم No ال
5.12 Do you get water from the tap?هل تحصل على الماء من الحنفية؟
1 Yes 2 نعم No ال
5.13 What do you think about the water quality?ما رأيك بجودة الماء من حيث صالحيته لالستهالك البشري؟
1 Drinkable2 صالح للشرب Undrinkableغير صالح للشرب
5.14 Do you have electricity in the house?هل يوجد تيار كهربائي في بيتك؟ 1 Yes 2 نعم No ال
5.15 List the usual problems that happen during rainfall? أي من المشاكل التالية تحدث عادة عندما تمطر؟
1 House overflows المنزل يفيض بالمياه
2 Roof leaks السقف يرشح بالماء
3 Wall leaks المياه تتسرب عبر الجدران
4 Others (Specify)
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5.16 What are the main problems you face in your house? ؟ منزلك الحالي ك فيما هي المشاكل الرئيسية التي تواجه
Lack of rooms(crowded rooms) 1(المسكن مكتظ بالسكان)لغرف اهنالك عدد قليل للغاية من
Lack of warmness (too cold in the winter) 2(المسكن بارد جدا في الشتاء)نقص في التدفئة
Lack of healthy environment 3 (دورات مياه، حمامات)نقص في أحوال المرافق الصحية المناسبة
(WC, etc)
Lack of proper sewage pipes 4 نقص في الربط بشبكة المجاري
5 No problems د مشاكل رئيسية يعاني منها منزليجال تو
6 Other, specify please أخرى، يرجى تحديدها _______________________________________________
.
5.17 Surveyor Observationsمالحظات المقيم
6 Educationالتعليم
6.1 Howmany childrenareschoolage? 11-5تتراوح اعمارهم بين أطفالك الذيكم عدد
Boys األوالد Girls البنات:
Year ofbirth
تاريخ الوالدة
Sex
الجنس
Grade
الصف
Are theyattending
schoolthis year?
هل يرتادون المدرسة لهذه السنة
Ifyes, where?
اذا كان جوابك نعم ما اسم المدرسة
Comments
مالحظات
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6.2 For childrennot attendingschool this year, what arethereasons?(checkallthat apply)
؟(الرجاء تظليل المربع امام جميع األسباب المتوافرة)ما أسباب عدم ارتياد المدرسة
16. School is too far المدرسة بعيدة جدا
17. Transportation to school is not safe المواصالت المتاحة للمدرسة غير آمنة
18. Transportation to school is costly وسائل المواصالت المتاحة مكلفة األطفال يشعرون بعدم األمان / أجواء المدرسة غير آمنة .19
العدد كبير جدا بالنسبة لعدد المقاعد المدرسية داخل / قص في المقاعد المدرسيةن .20
الصف بسبب الحاجة لألطفال للقيام بالمساعدة في المسكن .21
يحتاج األطفال لجمع الطعام او المصروف اليومي .22
23. Can’t afford school fees or costs عدم استطاعة توفير الرسوم المدرسية بكافة أشكالها
شهادة )عدم توفر الوثائق الرسمية المطلوبة .24(الميالد
25. ility) المجتمع ال يساند تعليم اإلناث أو ذوي
الحاجات الخاصة اإلساءة من قبل ألطفال اآلخرين .26
ة/الطفل أو الطفلة متزوج .27
أداء أكاديمي ضعيف .28ة مريض عقليا/الطفل .29
حدد, أخرى___________________________________________ .30
6.3 Doyouhaveaccess toinformation on education opportunities available in your area?
؟هل يوجد مصدر للمعلومات عن فرص التعليم المتوفرة في منطقتك
1 Yes 2 نعم No ال
6.4 Ifchildrencannot attendformal school, whatarethealternatives available? ؟ما هي طرق التعليم المتاحة لألطفال الغير قادرين على ارتياد المدارس بشكل رسمي ومنتظم
1 Vocationaltrainings الدورات التدريبية المهنية
2 Technical schools التعليم المهني 3 Acceleratedlearning programs البرامج التعليمية المكثفة
4 Psychosocial activities األنشطة الجتماعية
5 Other (specify) ( حدد)أخرى _______________________________________
(
6.5 What the school leaver does now? ة المدرسة حاليا؟/تعمل تارك/ماذا يعمل
She/he has work.1لديها عمل/لديه
She/he seeking a work.2تبحث عن عمل/يبحث At home to help the family.3العائلة/في البيت لمساعدة الزوج
At home doing nothing.4في البيت دون عمل شيء
Other.5أخرى_________________________________________________
7Basicneeds (NonFood Items) ( غذائيةالالمواد غير )الحاجات الغير الرئيسية
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7.1 Pleaserank thefollowing NFIs in termsofpriorityof needs. الرجاء ترتيب الحاجيات التالية حسب أهميتها
Cooking fuel مصدر طاقة لدواعي الطبخ
Cooking potsandutensils أواني الطبخ Cleaningproducts مواد التنظيف
KitchenItems أدوات مطبخية
Hygiene Kit لوازم صحية
Baby Kits لوازم أطفال رضع Other, pleasespecify الرجاء التحديد, أخرى _______________________________
7.2 Pleaseranktheseitems interms ofpriorityofneedsduring winter الرجاء ترتيب الحاجيات التالية حسب أهميتها أثناء الشتاء
Clothes المالبس Blankets األغطية
Mattresses فرشات النوم
Stove (صوبة)موقد Fuel (غاز, كاز)وقود
Windproofing (عباءة, فروة)واقي الرياح
Flooring أرضيات واقية
Wall and roofinsulation عوازل السقف والجدران Other أخرى __________________________
7.3 Areyoucurrentlyreceiving any assistanceinNFIs? ؟حاليا( غيرالمواد الغذائية)هل تتلقى أي مساعدات
1 Yes 2 ______________________________________________________ نعم No ال
7.4 What’s your sourceofNFIs? ؟ ما هو المصدر الذي تتلقى منه احتياجاتك من المواد الغير غذائية
1 Personal resources (savings, selling assets, daily work) بيع , عمل بأجرة يومية, مدخرات)مصادر شخصية
(الممتلكات
2 Credit(shoporfinancial) ( تمويل او استثمارات)رصيد
3 Assistancefrom charity(financialor in-kind) (عينية أو غير عينية)مساعدات خيرية 4 Sharing withhostfamily مشاركة العائلة المضيفة
5 Other (specify) (حدد) أخرى __________________________
8. Protectionالحماية
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8.1 Who are themost vulnerable oratriskpeoplein your community? من هم األشخاص األكثر عرضة للمخاطر في
؟ مجتمعك
1 Single Parent لوحدها مع األطفالأو األم لوحده مع األطفالاألب 2 Single femalewithout children الفتاة العزباء بال أطفال
3 Unaccompaniedelderly (66فوق ال )مسن وحيد
4 Unaccompaniedminor (11تحت ال )قاصر وحيد
5 Orphansأيتام 6 Persons withphysical disabilitiesاألشخاص ذوي االعاقات الجسدية
7 Chronically ill personsأشخاص ذوي األمراض المزمنة
8 Persons withmental disability األشخاص ذوي االعاقات العقلية 9 Other(please specify) (حدد لطفا)أخرى _______________________________
8.2 What are themainproblems thatyouand yourfamily arecurrently facing? ؟ما هي المشاكل األساسية التي تواجهونها أنت واسرتك في الوقت الحالي
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8.3 Focus Group Discussion Focus Group – Shelter
تقييم مشروع اإليجارات –المجموعات المركزة
Sex: 1الجنس Male2ذكر Femaleأنثى
Age: العمر
Current address
Type of accommodation نوع المسكن
1 Host2استضافة Relatives/Family عائلة /أقارب 3 Collective shelterمخيم جماعي
4 Rented apartment 5شقة مستأجرة Other/Specify أي نوع مسكن آخر الرجاء الوصف
List the challenges you have concerning your current shelter in terms of the following? عدد الصعوبات التي تواجهك بالنسبة لمسكنك الحالي؟
Availabilityتوفر المسكن
Pricingكلفة اإليجار
Quality الجودة
Safetyشروط السالمة
Treatment of landlordمعاملة صاحب المسكن
Payment methodوسيلة الدفع
Access for basic servicesالقرب من الخدمات العامة
What are your coping mechanisms for securing your current shelter? ما هي اآللية التي تتبعها لسد نفقات مسكنك الحالي؟
Workالعمل
Savingsمدخرات
Donationتبرعات
Selling Assets بيع األصول
Other (specify) ( الرجاء التحديد)أخر
How long do you think you can continue to afford your current shelter? ما هي المدة الزمنية التي يمكنك تحمل سداد النفقات لمسكنك الحالي؟
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8.4 Analysis of the Primary Source Data Exist at IRJ Data Base.
In a previous study conducted by Islamic Relief Jordan (IRJ) as part of an earlier project 942 families were surveyed. The total number of affected people in this survey was 6,855 Syrian refugees.
The data collected included demographics; total number of family members, sex of head of household and age, school age children status regarding school attendance and whether there are any orphans in the household. Data was also collected on whether these families receive food voucher and if yes how much in total.
Number Status Item
558 Male Head of Household Sex 384 Female
305 Yes Disability of Head of Household 636 No
203 Yes Head of Household 60 Years or older 738 No
376 Yes School aged Children Attending School 501 No
148 Yes Household Receiving Food Vouchers 792 No
725 Need for Treatment
213
Number Item
295 Number Of People With Special Needs
7.28 Average Number Of Family Members
72 Orphans In Household
The study also looked into the families’ income and their average expenditure on rent. The below table also include the average monthly food assistance these families receive.
JOD Item
100 Median Monthly Income
144 Median Monthly Food Assistance
150 Median Monthly Rent
