Research in Brief: The Syrian Humanitarian Disaster: Disparities in perceptions, aspirations and behaviour in Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey

The speed with which Syria disintegrated into extreme violence and armed conflict shocked the world and left the humanitarian aid regime in turmoil as agencies struggled to respond to the growing displacement crisis on Syria’s borders. The mass displacement has left the neighbouring states of Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey in a quandary as to how to effectively provide protection for these people seeking refuge. None have granted the displaced refugee status; each has established temporary measures to deal with this crisis. In many cases the displaced and the host communities have not been consulted and thus tensions have quickly emerged among host communities, displaced Syrians and humanitarian policymakers and practitioners. The current situation is unsustainable and is testing the humanitarian aid regime’s preferred ‘solution’ of containing the crisis regionally. This research brief reports the findings of a study that has sought to: 1) understand the disparity in perceptions, aspirations, and behaviour of refugees from Syria, members of host communities, and practitioners in Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey; and 2) identify what measures, if any, are regarded as important by the three target communities for future return and reintegration in Syria when conditions permit.