REFUGEE CHILDREN IN CRISIS: THE CHALLENGES FACING SYRIAN REFUGEE CHILDREN RESIDING OUTSIDE REFUGEE CAMPS IN JORDAN

This study aimed to identify the kinds of challenge encountered by Syrian refugee children who are living in Jordan but not in refugee camps. A sample of 120 Syrian refugee children residing in Amman provided the data for this study, which is based on a descriptive approach. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze the data. We found that the main economic challenges faced by these children were low wages, labor exploitation, difficulties with paying back debts for their families, ongoing poverty, and the high cost of living in Jordan. Educational challenges were also largely economic and were mainly due to the high cost of education and the priority of work over school attendance. Health challenges too were economic and centered on the high cost of health care and the obstacles to obtaining medical insurance. Social challenges included lack of interpersonal bonds, an inability to form new friendships, and the absence of entertainment. This study suggests that providing financial support for Syrian refugee families consistent with the increasing cost of living in the hosting country would result in better lives for the Syrian children, as would creating job opportunities for heads of families in line with memoranda of agreement that Jordan has with international organizations. Further, public education for Syrian refugee children should be made free of charge, particularly in the elementary stages.