The Evolution and Sustainability of Environmental Health Services in the Azraq Refugee Camp, Jordan: A Qualitative Study

Nikki Behnke, Brandie Banner Shackelford, Amjad Dawood, Rachel A. Oommen, Raymond Tu, Marielle Snel, Iyad Al Samawi, Samer Talozi, Darcy Anderson, Ryan Cronk () and Jamie Bartram
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Nikki Behnke: The Water Institute, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, USA
Brandie Banner Shackelford: The Water Institute, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, USA
Amjad Dawood: World Vision, Amman 11547, Jordan
Rachel A. Oommen: The Water Institute, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, USA
Raymond Tu: The Water Institute, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, USA
Marielle Snel: Save the Children International, Amman 11191, Jordan
Iyad Al Samawi: World Vision, Amman 11547, Jordan
Samer Talozi: Civil Engineering Department, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 3030, Jordan
Darcy Anderson: The Water Institute, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, USA
Ryan Cronk: The Water Institute, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, USA
Jamie Bartram: The Water Institute, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, USA

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 17, 1-17

Abstract: The Syrian civil war displaced more than half of the Syrian population, including over 660,000 registered refugees who fled to neighboring Jordan. Environmental health services (e.g., water, sanitation, hygiene, and solid waste management) are critical for refugee health. Still, they may strain resources in host communities and must evolve in protracted crises. We studied environmental health services in the Azraq refugee camp in Jordan to identify the stakeholders and their roles in service provision, assess stakeholder communication and coordination, and evaluate sustainability. We conducted 25 interviews with stakeholders involved in environmental health service provision. We found that non-governmental and United Nations organizations had well-defined responsibilities, but the roles of donors, the Jordanian government, refugees, and the host community needed clarification. Conflicting standards and mismatched donor expectations with on-the-ground needs sometimes created challenges for coordinated and efficient service provision. The basic needs of refugees were generally met and services improved somewhat over time, but political obstacles and inadequate resources complicated the path toward sustainable services. Early incorporation of sustainability in planning and increased efforts to build the capacity of refugees to contribute and take ownership of environmental health services will likely enhance long-term environmental health service provision and development outcomes.

Keywords: refugees; Syria; Jordan; Middle East; water; sanitation; hygiene; WaSH; solid waste management; sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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