For the non-Syrian refugee population, the amount of funding for 2021 is 51% less than what was available at the beginning of 2020. The implementation of the “One Refugee” policy for all refugee groups under UNHCR’s mandate will remain valid for 2021. UNHCR will seek to align protection and assistance policies for refugees of various nationalities while adhering to donors’ earmarking requirements.
All non-Syrian refugees live in cities, towns, and rural areas in Jordan. Their smaller communities can lead to increased isolation, as the Syrian refugee population vastly outnumbers those of other nationalities. Non-Syrians also face more barriers to access services, including access to formal work, education and healthcare due to different costing regimes in comparison to Syrian refugees. Notably, these barriers have increased with the COVID-19 outbreak. In addition, there is a limited range of donor actors providing funds for non-Syrian refugees. As of mid-2018, UNHCR has raised their monthly package to reach the full survival minimum expenditure basket (SMEB) as not all assistance programs in Jordan apply to non-Syrians. To maintain consistency, UNHCR will continue providing the full SMEB amount for its non-Syrian beneficiaries throughout 2021.
In response to identified protection gaps, UNHCR will prioritize core mandate responsibilities while meeting the needs arising from the prolonged pandemic. The anticipated shortage of funding will inevitably impact the level of support UNHCR can provide. The high unemployment rates for Jordanian youth and the sensitivities surrounding the lack of opportunities in the country further complicate UNHCR’s engagement in the area of refugee employment.
In 2021, the office will prioritize the following objectives:
1. Reinforce the capacities of national institutions and undertake concrete advocacy efforts;
2. Provide monthly cash assistance to 3,000 vulnerable families with the SMEB approach;
3. Provide core protection services, such as legal aid through local partners, to 9,000 persons;
4. Ensure access to primary health services, referrals for 4,500 persons, and obstetric emergency referrals for 300 persons;
5. Deliver specialized services for persons with specific needs, particularly the elderly and disabled;
6. Support enhanced community-based protection mechanisms and networks, especially with regard to child protection, and ensure adequate services for survivors of gender-based violence. Within this framework and with regard to the sustainability of the intervention, more investment will be made for the community centres management.
7. Maintain registration activities to ensure unhindered access to registration.