The Zaatari Refugee Camp is the largest Syrian refugee camp in the world and was opened by the Jordanian government and the United Nations in 2012. In 2017, there were over eighty thousand people in Zaatari and a total of 461,701 refugees had passed through the camp. They started by living in tents, but they eventually built shelters made from corrugated metal containers called “caravans.” The lives of refugees are harrowing, and for this week, you will examine their survival skills.
Reflect: Prior to beginning work on this discussion, watch these videos to give you insight into the lives of refugees:
• The Harrowing Personal Stories of Syrian Refugees, in Their Own Words (Links to an external site.)
• Life in Syrian Refugee Camps (Links to an external site.)
• Escape From Syria: Rania’s Odyssey (Links to an external site.)
Lastly, review the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) data on Syria Regional Refugee Response (Links to an external site.).
Write: After reviewing the required sources, briefly describe how Zaatari has developed its own economy. Consider what could happen if the refugee camp became a long-term solution. What basic economic, energy, and social services would need to be provided, and who should pay for them?
Then, select one of the topics/prompts listed below. The required sources will help you answer the follow questions. You should indicate your choice of topic in your response.
• A Generation of Lost Syrians: Syrian children in Zaatari have not received an education since arriving at the camp. Rather, many children must work to provide their family with critical money to survive. Jordanian officials fear the lack of education will leave them vulnerable to radicalization and involvement in terrorist organizations. What can Jordan and other countries do to prevent a generation of lost Syrians from becoming radicalized? What is the potential cost of inaction for the United States and Europe?
• Refugee Resettlement and Cultural Identity: As of 2017, nearly 13 million Syrians have been displaced due to the civil war that began in 2011: 6 million Syrians were internally displaced, while another 5 million Syrian Refugees have relocated to the Middle East and Africa, 1 million to Europe, and 100,000 to North America. Refugees are then faced with the challenge of adapting to the host culture. After reading the Losing Identity During the Refugee Crisis: The Difference Between Assimilation and Integration in the Classroom (Links to an external site.) article by Hamilton (2016), describe the difference between assimilation and integration and how each impacts Syrian refugees, especially children. Respectfully state your opinion on if refugees should retain their cultural identity or completely assimilate to the host culture.
• Economic Costs of Syrian Refugees: Jordan has incurred large costs in hosting Syrian refugees and the Zaatari Refugee Camp. In 2018, it is estimated that there are almost 660,000 Syrian refugees in Jordan, which represents nearly 12% of the population. The number of refugees is putting pressure on the Jordanian economy and resources such as education, health, shelter, water, energy, and public finances (government revenue and expenditures). The crisis has also reduced foreign investment and tourism in Jordan. After reading The Syrian Refugees in Jordan: Turning Challenges into Opportunities (Links to an external site.), discuss the economic challenges and opportunities Jordan faces.
• A Crisis of Character: In his 2017 TEDTalk, The Refugee Crisis is a Test of our Character (Links to an external site.), David Milibrand presents a case that the refugee crisis is a test of our character. He connects different aspects of globalization to the refugee crisis and outlines methods for managing long-term displacement. After viewing the video, discuss your opinion on the refugee crisis and one solution that could help manage the situation.