Study published on causes of family separation and barriers to reunification for Syrian refugees
The Global Center for the Development of the Whole Child is pleased to announce the publication of Hannah Chandler and Dr. Neil Boothby’s manuscript, “Causes of family separation and barriers to reunification: Syrian refugees in Jordan” in the Journal of Refugee Studies. Additionally, we are excited to share the release of the study’s findings in a brief now available in our resources section.
Since the war in Syria broke out in 2011, it has resulted in the displacement of 12.2 million people. Over 5.6 million Syrians have fled the country, the majority seeking asylum in neighbouring countries such as Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon. Focused on Syrian refugee families living in Jordan, this qualitative study reports learning from in-depth interviews with 85 families to examine the causes and impacts of refugee family separation. Findings revealed that family separation occurs at distinct times during migration and identified key factors that perpetuate separation and prevent refugees from reuniting with their families. These include unclear reunification processes, documentation issues, and exorbitant costs. As one refugee shared:
“At first I refused [to leave Syria], my daughters are young and the trip was hard and people get injured...Until one day we were sitting, and we were bombed. The house was destroyed. My parents-in-law told me to go, and they will stay and will accept their fate. We went on the road and became hungry, everything happened to us on the road. But we arrived safely, thank God.”
The journal article and brief illuminate opportunities to improve policies and procedures for families displaced in conflict and crisis globally.
