Refugee inclusion can strengthen our societies

This month marks the eleventh anniversary of the beginning of the Syrian conflict. Half of the Syrian population has fled their homes and 6.8 million people have become refugees. Over the last few weeks, the world is once again witnessing a refugee movement of gigantic proportions. Within only one month of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, over 3.8 million people have had to leave their homes and seek shelter in neighbouring countries.

The generous welcome of refugees has a long tradition across the world, including here in Jordan, which has provided a safe haven for successive waves of refugees over the years, including most recently 674,000 Syrian refugees registered with UNHCR. In Germany, which hosts over 770,000 Syrian refugees, many people are again opening their homes to those trying to escape the violence in their homeland with nothing but a few belongings in a suitcase.

Among those handing out blankets at train stations or trying to organise shelters for people fleeing Ukraine are also Syrian refugees that came to Germany several years ago. Solidarity and compassion for refugees, no matter where they come from, continues to be at the heart of our response.  It is these displays of humanity that remind us that there is no hierarchy of conflicts, that everyone deserves to live in safety and dignity.

Nevertheless, new crises should not lead us to forget that the Syrian conflict is now entering its twelfth year. We are still committed to a political solution to the Syria crisis. Unfortunately, return perspectives remain bleak for the foreseeable future. As long as refugees live in Jordan, Germany, and other countries, it is the shared duty of the international community and host states to ensure that they are protected, have access to adequate services, can send their children to school and shape their own future. 

As we have seen in Europe over recent weeks, host communities play a vital role in the response. Jordanians have been very welcoming to refugees, and the Jordanian government’s response has mirrored society’s positive stance towards them. Yet, amidst the economic downturn resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, a recent UNHCR study shows that there is a growing fear of refugees depressing wages or taking away jobs from nationals among certain segments of the Jordanian population.

Experiences from Germany show that refugees do not have to be a burden. They bring tangible benefits to host societies and directly contribute to local economies. In Germany, the federal and local government actively support the social and economic inclusion of refugees. Following their registration with local authorities, refugees and their families are included in national education, health and social security systems. They can also join special integration courses, which include German language classes, and professional training programmes and have equal access to the labour market.

Half of the refugees that came to Germany between 2013 and 2016 have found a job by now. One in four German companies is currently employing refugees. For Germany, the inclusion of refugees is a win-win situation: it reduces refugees’ long-term dependency on assistance and fills gaps in the local labour market, while contributing to economic growth and generating additional tax revenue.

While there are clear economic and demographic differences between Germany and Jordan, refugees can also be an asset here. Refugee doctors have been supporting the COVID-19 pandemic response in public hospitals. Home based businesses run jointly by Syrians and Jordanians have allowed for dairy and other food products to enter local cuisine. Newly graduated refugee ICT specialists can support the growth of Jordan’s technology sector. And refugee agricultural and construction workers have provided much needed manual labour to expand productivity in an array of sectors.

Jordan has been exemplary in facilitating the inclusion of refugees in its education and health systems. Yet, with the protraction of the Syria crisis, we need to create further opportunities for  — people living in Jordan to earn a living and become more self-reliant. Supporting the Jordanian economy and the creation of jobs for Jordanians first will subsequently have a knock-on effect on increasing refugee resilience.  

The approach of the international donor community can be informed by the experiences of other global refugee situations, such as in Germany, as well as by lessons learned in Jordan over the last eleven years. Long-term solutions that take into account the needs of refugees and host communities are imperative in shaping our future response.

His Majesty’s recent visit to Germany highlighted the reliability of Germany as a partner to Jordan.  In 2021, Germany allocated 135 million euros of humanitarian assistance and committed 484 million euros for development cooperation to the Kingdom, making it the second biggest donor in Jordan. During the pandemic, Germany’s funding has not decreased but increased to help the most vulnerable communities in Jordan. Together, we can build a better future for both Jordanians and refugees.

Dominik Bartsch is UNHCR Country Representative to Jordan. Bernhard Kampmann is German ambassador to Jordan