Gulf donors and NGOs assistance to Syrian refugees in Jordan

The Syrian crisis has been a turning point in the history of humanitarian enterprise in terms of the increasing role assumed by Arab donors. Not only did Arab funding increase considerably, but the Gulf States have taken a leading role in organising fundraising events for the response. As well as directly supporting the United Nations, the Gulf donors are also active through their own state organisations, non­-governmental organisations and royal non--profit organisations. Gulf donors and local NGOs are able to fill the gap in the procedural UN structure because of their flexibility and ability to reach underserved urban and rural areas. Gulf donors conduct regular coordination meetings with Jordanian implementing NGOs, whereas only a few UN organisations, such as UNICEF, World Food Programme (WFP) and World Health Organisation (WHO) have experience with local Arab NGOs.

This report is based on interviews conducted in Arabic between February and April 2014 with representatives of the main Gulf donors. It hopes to be a tool for better coordination of the considerable humanitarian assistance provided by the Gulf donors to Syrian refugees in Jordan.