Advancing Adolescence; Getting Syrian Refugees and Host-Community Adolescents Back on Track

Adolescents are largely missing out on psychosocial support, education and skills building programs as they are increasingly either forced to stay indoors for their safety — the case for many adolescent girls - or to work to help provide income for the family — the case for many adolescent boys. Adolescents will also be first among the generation of children affected by the Syrian conflict to be called upon to help mend torn social fabric and rebuild broken economies.
In an effort to fill gaps in action-oriented research on Syrian adolescents and their host-community peers, Mercy Corps conducted 16 focus group discussions in Jordan and Lebanon with over 150 adolescents in January and February 2014. Based on those discussions, this report details findings and presents recommendations that should guide investments in future-oriented strategies to facilitate and improve adolescent well-being and critical development skills for adolescents.