The West Asia-North Africa region is prone to significant refugee movements as a consequence of civil war and ecological disasters. Most recently, the crisis in Syria has led to refugee populations in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt of more than 2.5 million. Of the Syrian refugee population in Jordan, which now accounts for more than 10% of the population, 80% are residing in host communities and more than 50% are children. The burdens assumed by the host populations are significant. Overcrowding is now a serious problem in hospitals and schools, and the growing number of urban refugees is placing pressure on public resources such as water, electricity and waste management.

Despite extensive humanitarian assistance and programmatic investment, there is little reliable data on Jordan’s carrying capacity and there is even less known about the positive outcomes and results for countries hosting refugee populations, such as advancements in infrastructure, technologies and markets.