A future in the balance: how the conflict in Syria is impacting on the needs of young people in MENA
Norwegian Refugee Council
Highlights
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), together with the King Hussein Research Foundation (KHRF) and the International Blue Crescent Relief and Development Foundation (IBC), have undertaken research in Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and the Kurdish Region of Iraq (KRI) to better understand the needs, aspirations and challenges faced by displaced and local community youth aged between 15 and 24.
The study confirmed that across the Middle East a whole generation of young people from Syria and refugee-hosting countries is losing hope in the future. Living in insecurity and often in conditions of extreme poverty, they are faced with many barriers to accessing education and economic opportunities. They have only very limited chances to engage in social and civic activities and feel disempowered and frustrated. The human capital of this generation – so crucial for the future of the region – risks being lost.
This study highlights key recommendations to help address the challenges youth face, specifically targeted to international donor governments, governments of refugee-hosting countries in the Middle East and aid agencies.
