Amman — In a country facing economic challenges, high youth unemployment and mounting pressure on its resources and public services, Jordan’s response to refugee issues goes beyond humanitarian assistance to include creating sustainable economic opportunities, strengthening social protection and improving the ability of both refugees and Jordanians in host communities to cope with living pressures.
اضافة اعلان
A fact sheet issued this month by the “Afaq” Partnership outlines an approach that combines protection, education, vocational training, employment and investment in infrastructure, with the aim of expanding economic opportunities and strengthening social cohesion.
In coordination with the Jordanian government, employers’ and workers’ organizations and the private sector, the Afaq Partnership supports wage employment, self-employment, entrepreneurship and the development of cooperatives, while facilitating access to work permits and inclusive financial services.
Addressing the challenges of displacement is not limited to providing current employment opportunities, but also extends to preparing future generations to enter the labor market.
According to the fact sheet, Jordan hosted more than 393,000 registered refugees as of June 2026, with the number gradually declining as a result of voluntary returns to Syria.
Most refugees live outside camps, in cities and populated areas, particularly Amman, Mafraq, Irbid and Zarqa, where their needs intersect with those of host communities in areas such as housing, healthcare and employment.
Key Areas of Response
Cumulative results from the partnership between March 2019 and April 2026 show that expanding economic participation has been a key component of the response. A total of 97,791 people obtained work permits or registered businesses.
Another 53,607 people benefited from employability programs, career guidance, employment services and efforts to match job seekers with available opportunities.
The data also show that 62,805 people were able to increase their incomes, improve their working conditions or maintain more resilient livelihoods.
These figures reflect an approach that seeks to link assistance with economic opportunities that enable individuals to improve their sources of income, while focusing on decent work, non-discrimination, equal pay for work of equal value, and safe and healthy working conditions.
According to the fact sheet, 102,965 people enrolled in technical and vocational education or skills training programs, while 83,059 teachers, facilitators and technical and vocational education and training instructors completed professional development programs.
Another 66,428 children received cash or in-kind school support as part of efforts to improve access to and the quality of education for children from refugee and host communities.
Partnership Interventions
The partnership’s interventions include teacher training, the development of alternative education pathways, and strengthening the technical and vocational education and training system. These efforts help people acquire skills aligned with labor market needs and facilitate the transition from education to employment.
Such efforts are particularly important in Jordan, where the fact sheet notes that more than half of the population is under the age of 24. This makes providing education, training and employment opportunities essential to supporting stability and economic growth.
Expanding social protection is another pillar of the partnership, particularly for people working in unstable jobs or outside formal employment structures.
The data show that 44,456 people benefited from national social protection programs, while 135,310 received legal assistance and case-management services, including mental health and psychosocial support.
The cases of 760,031 individuals were also processed through registration procedures under the mandate of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, according to the cumulative results cited in the report.
The experience of the “Istidama++” program highlights the importance of moving workers from informal employment into formal arrangements that provide access to social security, health insurance and labor rights.
The fact sheet features the story of Iyad, who was forced to leave Syria in 2013 and worked in Jordan in informal, low-paid jobs without a social safety net before joining the program, which helps vulnerable workers gain access to protection and greater stability.
Investment in Infrastructure
The partnership’s work also extends to investment in basic infrastructure, including improving access to sustainable water and sanitation services and supporting labor-intensive investments capable of creating jobs for vulnerable groups.
The partnership is implemented by international organizations including the International Finance Corporation, the International Labour Organization, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNICEF and the World Bank, with funding from the Dutch government and in coordination with Jordanian authorities.
The results indicate that the scope of interventions has expanded to cover education, employment, protection and essential services. However, sustaining their impact requires linking training to actual market needs, expanding sustainable employment opportunities and strengthening the capacity of institutions and public services to respond to demand.
For Jordan, the importance of this approach lies in combining refugee protection with support for host communities. This ensures that the response does not remain limited to addressing immediate needs, but also contributes to improving livelihoods, strengthening social cohesion and building greater resilience to future economic challenges.
Source: Al-Ghad
