Lessons learned and emerging good practices of ILO's Syria crisis response in Jordan and Lebanon

The Syrian refugee crisis represents one of the largest, most protracted and complex humanitarian emergencies of modern times. Since 2011, the Syrian conflict has resulted in an estimated 5.6 million Syrians seeking refuge in neighboring countries. Lebanon and Jordan host the largest numbers of registered refugees per capita in the world.

ILO adopted in 2016 the Guiding principles on the access of refugees and other forcibly displaced persons to the labour market . In order to operationalise these principles, within the framework of the Regional Refugee Response and Resilience Plan (3RP), the Jordan Response Plan, and the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan (LCRP), the ILO Regional Ofce for Arab states has adopted a development-focused and employment- driven strategy to support host communities and refugees in Jordan and Lebanon. Embedded in the principles of decent work, the ILO strategy builds on its core mandate to promote employment, social dialogue, social protection and international labour standards.

The report synthesises the lessons learned and emerging good practices from the ILO ROAS interventions to promote decent work amongst Syrian refugees and host communities. Given the magnitude of the crisis and importance of the regional response, this report constitutes a useful knowledge tool for the Office, as well as constituents and stakeholders to contribute to building resilience and long term economic and social development of refugees and host communities in similar crisis situations. The report is also expected to provide useful insights for the implementation of the soon to be adopted Global Compact for Refugees.