Rethinking the Response to Refugees in Jordan: Local Based Assistance, Urban Refugees and Host Communities

The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) visited Jordan in July and November of 2012, to meet with refugees, government of- ficials, and international and local organizations. The violence in Syria has created a massive and complex humanitarian crisis with more than half a million people fleeing to neighboring countries. The current situation is expected to continue and worsen, with more than 710,000 refugees ex- pected by the end of the year throughout the re- gion1. The UN and partner agencies, for a second time this year, updated the Refugee Response Plan in September, including an appeal of $488 million for the response in four countries (Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan) through the end of the year.