The Need for a New Refugee Response in the Middle East

Will Todman, senior fellow in the CSIS Middle East Program, argues that a new geopolitical opening makes a radical rethinking of the Syrian refugee response possible. His new report, “The Self-Reliance Dividend: The Imperative of Syrian Refugees’ Economic Inclusion,” draws on over 100 interviews and research trips to Syria, Jordan, and the Gulf.

Todman says that after 15 years and tens of billions of dollars in aid, most refugees remain dependent on aid, excluded from formal labor markets, and burdened by debt. He highlights that full economic participation could cut annual costs by 89%.

Sources: CSIS (YouTube)