Refugees’ vulnerability on the rise
The Vulnerability Assessment Framework (VAF) Baseline Survey for Jordan was launched on 19 May to facilitate the targeting of humanitarian assistance to Syrian refugee households on the basis of their vulnerability. The survey, produced in a collaborative inter-agency effort, provides yet more evidence of the severe difficulties facing refugees in Jordan. Some key findings include:
86% of Syrian refugees in urban areas live below the Jordanian poverty line;
Northern and Eastern Jordan have the highest proportion of highly and severely vulnerable refugees, whilst also accommodating the highest proportion of Syrian refugees relative to Jordanians;
Over 80% of Syrian refugees are using crisis or emergency coping strategies, including begging or high risk, illegal and degrading jobs.
The VAF represents a step-change in aid effectiveness, supporting quality and effective humanitarian coordination and delivery, and has been welcomed by the Government of Jordan as a valuable contribution towards the 2016-2018 Jordan Response Plan to the Syria crisis.