A Crisis Within a Crisis: Working and Living Conditions of Syrian and Palestinian Refugees during the COVID-19 in Jordan

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has evolved into one of the most impactful crises of modern time, and most countries have implemented preventive measures such as nationwide lockdowns, closing certain businesses, and quarantine to prevent the spread of the virus. This study explores how the COVID-19 crisis and its preventive measures impact refugees’ welfare in the context of a developing country. The research is based on forty semi-structured interviews with Syrian and Palestinian refugees in Jordan. Research findings indicate that refugees are primarily employed in low-skilled jobs because of legal restrictions, which do not provide decent working conditions and socioeconomic security. Refugees are also mostly housed in high-density settlements with limited access to healthcare, sanitation, hygiene, and water (WASH) facilities. The research findings show that refugees are particularly at risk during the global health crisis due to precarious working and living conditions. This study concludes by providing recommendations on how to respond to future pandemic crises within refugee contexts based on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.