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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/sep/19/zaatari-refugee-camp-syria-jordan
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| I work in a refugee camp on the Syria-Jordan border – any questions? | I work in a refugee camp on the Syria-Jordan border – any questions? |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Suranga is an area coordinator responsible for all Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development (Acted) operations in Zaatari, King Abdullah Park and Cyber City refugee camps. She’s an experienced humanitarian manager specialized in complex emergency and recovery programmes in conflict, post-conflict and natural disaster contexts. | Suranga is an area coordinator responsible for all Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development (Acted) operations in Zaatari, King Abdullah Park and Cyber City refugee camps. She’s an experienced humanitarian manager specialized in complex emergency and recovery programmes in conflict, post-conflict and natural disaster contexts. |
| Leave your questions in the comments and Suranga will be back at 2pm ET | 7pm BST to respond | Leave your questions in the comments and Suranga will be back at 2pm ET | 7pm BST to respond |
| What is your typical day like? | What is your typical day like? |
| Since my arrival in Zaatari last April, I have been working 12-hour shifts usually from 6am to 6pm in the evening inside the camp, six days a week most of the weeks. It’s quite intense but not unusual for most of my colleagues working here and even in other countries in similar contexts. | Since my arrival in Zaatari last April, I have been working 12-hour shifts usually from 6am to 6pm in the evening inside the camp, six days a week most of the weeks. It’s quite intense but not unusual for most of my colleagues working here and even in other countries in similar contexts. |
| I start my day with a very early and quiet drive through northern Jordan desert roads from our guesthouse into the camp that allows me to think of what awaits us on that day. | I start my day with a very early and quiet drive through northern Jordan desert roads from our guesthouse into the camp that allows me to think of what awaits us on that day. |
| On most mornings I have a walk inside the camp as the refugees are still asleep, looking at work done by our teams the previous day, taking advantage of the fresh temperature and the light to take shots of the camp and sometimes stop for a quick chat and chai with the elderly. | On most mornings I have a walk inside the camp as the refugees are still asleep, looking at work done by our teams the previous day, taking advantage of the fresh temperature and the light to take shots of the camp and sometimes stop for a quick chat and chai with the elderly. |
| At 8am we kick off the day. Acted is one of the leading Wash [Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene] agencies operating in Zaatari, as we provide the refugee population with the entire water supply, solid waste management, camp and sanitation cleaning, hygiene promotion, distributions and community mobilization. We have a team of roughly 300 individuals, both Jordanian and Syrians. | At 8am we kick off the day. Acted is one of the leading Wash [Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene] agencies operating in Zaatari, as we provide the refugee population with the entire water supply, solid waste management, camp and sanitation cleaning, hygiene promotion, distributions and community mobilization. We have a team of roughly 300 individuals, both Jordanian and Syrians. |
| A typical day is a mixed bag: | A typical day is a mixed bag: |
| What's your annual salary? Do you get benefits? | What's your annual salary? Do you get benefits? |
| I am currently paid €27,000 per year on a French contract and receive most of the benefits of the French labor law. It’s a decent salary in France, lower in comparison to other Anglo-Saxon agencies or the UN for whom I worked too for many years. I usually choose jobs mostly based on the context, the country and more importantly the roles and responsibilities involved as well as the type of projects implemented. | I am currently paid €27,000 per year on a French contract and receive most of the benefits of the French labor law. It’s a decent salary in France, lower in comparison to other Anglo-Saxon agencies or the UN for whom I worked too for many years. I usually choose jobs mostly based on the context, the country and more importantly the roles and responsibilities involved as well as the type of projects implemented. |
| What is the most challenging aspect of your job? | What is the most challenging aspect of your job? |
| Definitely insecurity and protection of staff: we often work in challenging environments with an increasing number of incidents and attacks targeting us directly, despite basic humanitarian principles and common sense. I’ve lost many colleagues I worked with in other missions who didn’t make it alive through indiscriminate shelling, and just last week, two Acted colleagues in Central African Republic were killed during an evacuation by armed men, and I’d like to take this opportunity to send our support and condoleances to their families and colleagues again for this tragic episode. | Definitely insecurity and protection of staff: we often work in challenging environments with an increasing number of incidents and attacks targeting us directly, despite basic humanitarian principles and common sense. I’ve lost many colleagues I worked with in other missions who didn’t make it alive through indiscriminate shelling, and just last week, two Acted colleagues in Central African Republic were killed during an evacuation by armed men, and I’d like to take this opportunity to send our support and condoleances to their families and colleagues again for this tragic episode. |
| Here in Zaatari, we used to have a very high number of security incidents which would hamper the delivery of aid. While it has now significantly reduced, we are still on alert while also keeping in mind that it is the actions of only a small minority affecting a large population usually very supportive and grateful for our interventions. | Here in Zaatari, we used to have a very high number of security incidents which would hamper the delivery of aid. While it has now significantly reduced, we are still on alert while also keeping in mind that it is the actions of only a small minority affecting a large population usually very supportive and grateful for our interventions. |
| What makes your work fulfilling? | What makes your work fulfilling? |
| There are two main aspects: First, one can hardly describe the rewarding feeling of being exposed to incredible human beings. I feel grateful to have met and worked with many, many unsung heroes who made it alive through war, natural disasters and their related traumas and will still smile, draw suns, and carry on with their lives. They teach me life, full stop. I remember a very old lady displaced multiple times by fighting in Northern Sri Lanka and carried her granddaughter for days while injured in the head and made it alive for her on the other side of the frontline. That lady is for me a modern superhero and their strength to resume their lives – with or without our help – is incredibly inspiring. | There are two main aspects: First, one can hardly describe the rewarding feeling of being exposed to incredible human beings. I feel grateful to have met and worked with many, many unsung heroes who made it alive through war, natural disasters and their related traumas and will still smile, draw suns, and carry on with their lives. They teach me life, full stop. I remember a very old lady displaced multiple times by fighting in Northern Sri Lanka and carried her granddaughter for days while injured in the head and made it alive for her on the other side of the frontline. That lady is for me a modern superhero and their strength to resume their lives – with or without our help – is incredibly inspiring. |
| In addition, and equally as important, the most fulfilling aspect of this job is to build capacities and skills of our national teams: they are the cornerstone of many of our interventions as they know the context, the environment, and have been there before. And unlike us expatriates, [they] will be present after we [leave]. I have been lucky to work with very experienced and skilled teams and it’s really rewarding to see them grow in their roles and responsibilities with the right amount of management, space and trust. I feel I have done my job when projects are managed and run smoothly with little supervision or monitoring, that’s when it’s time to step out and let nationals run interventions in their respective countries. | In addition, and equally as important, the most fulfilling aspect of this job is to build capacities and skills of our national teams: they are the cornerstone of many of our interventions as they know the context, the environment, and have been there before. And unlike us expatriates, [they] will be present after we [leave]. I have been lucky to work with very experienced and skilled teams and it’s really rewarding to see them grow in their roles and responsibilities with the right amount of management, space and trust. I feel I have done my job when projects are managed and run smoothly with little supervision or monitoring, that’s when it’s time to step out and let nationals run interventions in their respective countries. |
| What's one thing about your job that you think people should know? | What's one thing about your job that you think people should know? |
| I wish people – including my friends and family – understood that the humanitarian and development career path has become increasingly professional, competitive and requires highly qualified and experienced individuals. It is not just a part-life hobby but a genuine commitment from many of us with strong ethics and values to contribute to make a difference. The time when one had good intentions and will to help is long gone and it’s just not good enough to ensure high standards and quality of aid provided as we are accountable to both communities we are aiming to assist as well as tax payers back in our countries funding our interventions. | I wish people – including my friends and family – understood that the humanitarian and development career path has become increasingly professional, competitive and requires highly qualified and experienced individuals. It is not just a part-life hobby but a genuine commitment from many of us with strong ethics and values to contribute to make a difference. The time when one had good intentions and will to help is long gone and it’s just not good enough to ensure high standards and quality of aid provided as we are accountable to both communities we are aiming to assist as well as tax payers back in our countries funding our interventions. |
| Highlights from the Q&A | Highlights from the Q&A |
| Q: | Q: |
| How do you keep children in good spirits, given the circumstances? Do they receive education, for instance; or are there any play facilities? | How do you keep children in good spirits, given the circumstances? Do they receive education, for instance; or are there any play facilities? |
| A: | A: |
| there are more than 2 million children displaced in Syria and a million currently in neighboring countries as refugees which represent half of the total refugee population. In Za'atari, Unicef and its partners built schools and child friendly spaces to ensure children are given spaces to play and keep learning despite past traumas. Acted recently ran a fantastic Art project with Apt'Art aiming to raise awareness on hygiene promotion through painting murals in public spaces along with children focused art workshops : http://www.aptart.org/project/syria-jordan-2/ | there are more than 2 million children displaced in Syria and a million currently in neighboring countries as refugees which represent half of the total refugee population. In Za'atari, Unicef and its partners built schools and child friendly spaces to ensure children are given spaces to play and keep learning despite past traumas. Acted recently ran a fantastic Art project with Apt'Art aiming to raise awareness on hygiene promotion through painting murals in public spaces along with children focused art workshops : http://www.aptart.org/project/syria-jordan-2/ |
| Q: | Q: |
| What do you need but do not currently have in order to assist people there? | What do you need but do not currently have in order to assist people there? |
| A: | A: |
| hink there so much more that could be done especially within Syria. Given the current security situation, lack of access and limited number of partners, Internally Displaced Syrians are still not being given enough assistance and protection. While I strongly believe in a political settlement over a military intervention, Syrians inside Syria still lack access to basic aid such as access to health, water, sanitation, shelter, food etc.... Within the region and given the scale of the crisis, we still lack funding to provide sustainable assistance to refugees in and outside camps - winter is coming and it s going to be a big challenge to provide them with adequate shelter, non-food items such as cloths, shoes, blankets in addition to of course more important infrastructure works to reduce floods risks and provide them a safe environment. | hink there so much more that could be done especially within Syria. Given the current security situation, lack of access and limited number of partners, Internally Displaced Syrians are still not being given enough assistance and protection. While I strongly believe in a political settlement over a military intervention, Syrians inside Syria still lack access to basic aid such as access to health, water, sanitation, shelter, food etc.... Within the region and given the scale of the crisis, we still lack funding to provide sustainable assistance to refugees in and outside camps - winter is coming and it s going to be a big challenge to provide them with adequate shelter, non-food items such as cloths, shoes, blankets in addition to of course more important infrastructure works to reduce floods risks and provide them a safe environment. |
| Q: | Q: |
| What advice would you give to a young person aspiring to have a job like yours one day? | What advice would you give to a young person aspiring to have a job like yours one day? |
| A: | A: |
| I would advise anyone to specialise in a specific sector and even gain experience within the private sector even if it's in management. Humanitarian and Development jobs offer a very wide range of positions some technical and some relating to coordination and management and while I believe a lot of it is common sense, you still need some experience and skills to develop a mature understanding of contexts and issues. there also more and more Masters in Humanitarian related field that has mushroomed over the years and which could be a good start. | I would advise anyone to specialise in a specific sector and even gain experience within the private sector even if it's in management. Humanitarian and Development jobs offer a very wide range of positions some technical and some relating to coordination and management and while I believe a lot of it is common sense, you still need some experience and skills to develop a mature understanding of contexts and issues. there also more and more Masters in Humanitarian related field that has mushroomed over the years and which could be a good start. |
| Q: | Q: |
| Do the Jordanian authorities allow freedom of movement to outside the camps??? | Do the Jordanian authorities allow freedom of movement to outside the camps??? |
| A: | A: |
| Refugees in Za'atari camp have no freedom of movement outside what is being called a 'bail out system' which is basically a sponsoring process by a member of their family or the community living in host communities. Only a very limited number of refugees get granted a pass. In reality many refugees leave the camp illegally... | Refugees in Za'atari camp have no freedom of movement outside what is being called a 'bail out system' which is basically a sponsoring process by a member of their family or the community living in host communities. Only a very limited number of refugees get granted a pass. In reality many refugees leave the camp illegally... |
| Q: | Q: |
| Does the conflict extend into the camp and if so how are the factions placated? | Does the conflict extend into the camp and if so how are the factions placated? |
| A: | A: |
| Zaatari is located few kilometers away from the boarder with Syria but there is no active combat or fighting in Jordan. | Zaatari is located few kilometers away from the boarder with Syria but there is no active combat or fighting in Jordan. |
| Q: | Q: |
| Do you feel that you are the 'left arm of the state' trying to heal what the 'right hand' (namely, military and police) has done to the refugees and displaced persons? | Do you feel that you are the 'left arm of the state' trying to heal what the 'right hand' (namely, military and police) has done to the refugees and displaced persons? |
| A: | A: |
| I'd like to think that our intervention is impartial, neutral and apolitical. As for the right hand, the Jordanian Government and its citizens have been incredibly generous and cooperative in providing assistance and shelter to Syrian refugees by opening their boarders not only in camps but also in host communities where they shelter 4/5 of the refugee population. | I'd like to think that our intervention is impartial, neutral and apolitical. As for the right hand, the Jordanian Government and its citizens have been incredibly generous and cooperative in providing assistance and shelter to Syrian refugees by opening their boarders not only in camps but also in host communities where they shelter 4/5 of the refugee population. |
| Q: | Q: |
| Your requires a deep compassion and courage. No doubt you could do as well financially without incurring the huge risks. | Your requires a deep compassion and courage. No doubt you could do as well financially without incurring the huge risks. |
| If you know then I curious about the level of resources being provided in relation to the needs of both the workers and their clients. Is there a shortfall and if so then how great is it? Are their significant health risks due to the shortfall? I'm sure there are significant risks to begin with given the lack of infrastructure but is it being exacerbated by the lack of food, clothing, water, shelter, etc. | If you know then I curious about the level of resources being provided in relation to the needs of both the workers and their clients. Is there a shortfall and if so then how great is it? Are their significant health risks due to the shortfall? I'm sure there are significant risks to begin with given the lack of infrastructure but is it being exacerbated by the lack of food, clothing, water, shelter, etc. |
| And if you don't know then let me just repeat that you have my greatest respect for your efforts. | And if you don't know then let me just repeat that you have my greatest respect for your efforts. |
| A: | A: |
| thank you for your words. | thank you for your words. |
| Yes, the Syrian crisis remain largely under-funded, primarily within Syria and its neighboring countries hosting refugees. the regional appeal funding is as high as 3 Billion US$ for one of the largest humanitarian crisis keeping in mind that we are aiming to assist more than 2 million refugees in he region and almost en entire country on the road within Syria. | Yes, the Syrian crisis remain largely under-funded, primarily within Syria and its neighboring countries hosting refugees. the regional appeal funding is as high as 3 Billion US$ for one of the largest humanitarian crisis keeping in mind that we are aiming to assist more than 2 million refugees in he region and almost en entire country on the road within Syria. |
| Q: | |
| What languages do you speak? And where did you learn to speak them? | |
| A: | |
| I am French of Sri Lankan origin so speak French, Sinhalese, and English mainly. I did an intensive Arabic course of 3 months before starting to work here and I continue to take classes whenever my workload allows it. Being able to communicate with my team and Syrians in the camp or just outside work in Jordan where I have been living for now 9 months makes the whole difference. | |
| Q: | |
| How does one go from being a "refugee" to having an actual stable life? | |
| A: | |
| I don't believe any of these refugees have yet reached stability even those who have arrived a year ago. Surely they have reached safety and it makes the whole difference with those still inside Syria. they have clearly established a routine within the camp and started to settle but all of them - and this is true I believe for all IDPs and refugees regardless of time of exile or displacement - only strive to return "home" one day. | |
| Q: | |
| What would be the best and fastest resolution for these refugees? | |
| A: | |
| It is imperative to end this war. An immediate cease-fire from all parties followed by a peace negotiation leading to a political settlement, elections and reconciliation process is my personal opinion. Not sure how fast this will happen but we have a responsibility to advocate for it and not get used to this chronic war and its consequences. | |
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