This research is ongoing. The final reports will be posted upon completion.

PROJECT OVERVIEW:

The growing number of urban refugees poses challenges for humanitarian actors who must adapt their approaches to identify, protect, and assist the most vulnerable. In order to do so, multilateral organizations and international NGOs must coordinate with local groups, multiple levels of host government officials, and other organizations. Housing, transportation, livelihoods and other key areas of assistance must be managed differently as well. To inform humanitarian diplomacy and programming in urban areas, PRM is funding the RAND Corporation to research best practices in promoting coordination of urban refugee protection and assistance with UNHCR, municipal authorities, the private sector and other stakeholders. The RAND Cooperation will map where and how services are provided to Syrian refugees in both Jordan and Lebanon, and develop guidance that can improve their protection and assistance.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

• Identify general international best practices for coordination between providers of services to refugees in urban areas, based on historical experience;
• Conduct a formative evaluation of urban response to supporting refugees in Jordan and Lebanon;
• Define best practices and innovations to promote coordination between service providers, especially with municipal authorities and the private sector, to help refugees in urban and non-camp settings;
• Develop recommendations, operational guidance, and suggested coordination tools for PRM to consider for the Jordanian Government, Lebanese Government, U.S. Government, UNHCR, municipal authorities and other stakeholders to improve coordination of service provision to Syrian refugees in urban areas; and
• Disseminate and promote findings to humanitarian and political stakeholders to strengthen humanitarian decision-making and coordination in urban areas.

The research project is scheduled for completion in spring 2015.