Why Did Syrian Refugee Mobilization Surge in Jordan's Za'atari Camp?

Refugees face significant barriers to political mobilization, yet occasionally organize for rights and services. This article explains the surprisingly high levels of mobilization among Syrian refugees in Jordan’s Za’atari camp compared to those in Turkey and Lebanon. The emergence of autonomous political strength is attributed to strong informal leadership networks that developed due to two unique facets of Jordan’s refugee management regime: camp concentration and fragmented governance.

Case Study Differences

• Za'atari Camp, Jordan: Concentrated camp setting fostered strong informal leadership networks supporting mobilization.
• Turkey: No camp concentration or fragmented governance → limited mobilization by refugees.
• Lebanon Informal Settlements: Mixed living conditions and governance prevented the formation of effective refugee-led political structures.

Methodology

This argument is developed through a structured comparison across three cases, supported by primary source documents from humanitarian agencies and 87 original interviews conducted in summer 2015. Each case’s findings are traced back to these specific conditions using rigorous analysis.