The Challenge

Located in Northern Jordan, Za'atari is the world's largest camp for Syrian refugees. Opened on 28 July 2012 to host people fleeing the war that erupted in March 2011, it has become a symbol of the long-running Syrian refugee crisis. For the refugees, this is the closest thing to home, but many of them are still struggling to find work, especially women, whose economic participation is extremely low as a consequence of cultural and social norms.

Why It Matters

Oxfam, an international confederation of charitable organisations focused on the alleviation of global poverty, has been actively involved in various humanitarian and development programs across the world. One of their notable initiatives is the Cash for Work (CFW) programme implemented in Za'atari Refugee Camp and the host communities in Mafraq, Jordan. The Cash-for-Work (CFW) program is a temporary employment initiative where participants receive cash incentives for engaging in community projects. This programme aims to alleviate unemployment, enhance skills, and foster community development while providing financial support to refugees in the camp.

How We Did It

Fortell and Oxfam designed a comprehensive 77-question survey to evaluate the impact of the Cash-for-Work program. This survey assessed how the program enhances coping mechanisms, feedback preferences, and participant outcomes, and was distributed to residents of the Za'atari Refugee Camp and host communities in Mafraq, Jordan. The study included a total of 345 respondents. The report highlights the need for strategies to address the identified challenges, such as health concerns and economic dependency, in both the Za'atari Refugee Camp and the host community.