Syria case study

Much of the Middle East including Syria has been politically unstable since the so-called Arab Spring
in 2010, when a series of protests, riots and civil wars broke out in many Arab countries. Syria has
been in a state of civil war since March 2011. Over 400,000 people have died as a result of the
fighting between the Syrian government and the rebel groups.
1.8m refugee in TURKEY, 1.2m refugee in LEBANON, 630k in Jordon, 250k in Iraq, and 160k
Africa

PUSH FACTORS -
More than 40% of the population unable to access basic health services. Of 113 public
hospitals, 58% of them either partially functioning or completely out of service. Around 50%
of people are unemployed, and 70% are living in extreme poverty. Citizens often decide to
finally escape after seeing their neighbourhoods bombed or family members killed. Civil war
has left over 4m people homeless. Due to the war, much of the country’s infrastructure and
essential services have been destroyed. Hence it is extremely hard to live in Syria.

PULL FACTORS –
Many Syrians have family and friends already living abroad so it is easier to make the move.
Syria has porous land borders with Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan which makes it relatively
easy to migrate into these countries without passport (illegal migration). The neighbouring
countries have better standards of living. Loss of younger people who are more likely to
migrate leaving behind an ageing population

IMPACT ON SENDING COUNTRY (SYRIA) –

Much of Syria’s educated elite population (those who have money and connections) have fled
their home in search of safety. Syria does not have enough doctors and nurses to look after the
injured and the weak. Once vibrant cities such as Homs and Aleppo are now ghost towns.
Less pressure on resources and aid. Reduced risk of citizen targets. Money can be sent back to
friends and family still in Syria(remittances).

IMPACT ON RECEIVING COUNTRIES -

Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan are now home to over 3 million Syrian refugees. The majority of
Syrian refugees are living in Jordan and Lebanon. In the region’s two smallest countries,
weak infrastructure and limited resources are nearing breaking point under the strain. In some
towns the population has doubled, putting a lot of pressure on health and education services.
Waste management is not coping. Space is also an issue in crowded urban centres, rents in
some places have tripled since the influx of refugees. There are not enough teachers. Some
schools send Lebanese children home at lunchtime and then teach Syrian children for the
second half of the day. Some Lebanese people say they have lost their jobs because Syrians
are willing to work for less, or that they have been evicted because Syrians share housing with
many people, and therefore afford rents that the Lebanese cannot. Since August 2014, more
Syrians have escaped into challenges. northern Iraq at a newly opened border crossing. In a
country that is still recovering from its own prolonged conflict this influx is dramatic and
brings additional challenges. An increasing number of Syrian refugees are fleeing across the
border to Turkey, overwhelming urban host communities and creating new cultural tensions
and resentments. The World Bank estimates that the Syria crisis cost Lebanon US$2.5 billion
in lost economic activity during 2013 and threatens to push 170,000 Lebanese into poverty by
the end of this year. Wages are plummeting, and families are struggling to make ends meet.
 Greater cultural diversity, low-wage workforce to do the jobs local people do not want.
Opportunity to experience Syrian culture e.g. food

IMPACT ON MIGRANTS –
Safety from the risks associated with civil war, Opportunity to have a better quality of life and
opportunity to access education and healthcare. Language may be a barrier. Although there
may be difficulty in adjusting to the culture, migrants may be exploited as cheap labour and
they may experience discrimination and racism

By Sahaj Garg