scholarly journals The Syrian Refugee Crisis: A Short Orientation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vappu Tyyskä ◽  
Jenna Blower ◽  
Samantha DeBoer ◽  
Shunya Kawai ◽  
Ashley Walcott

Introduction: Following decades of internal religious, political, and economic turmoil and international actions, a civil war broke out in Syria in 2011, sending unprecedented numbers of refugees to the surrounding countries, to Europe, and gradually to North America. While the international and Canadian communities are struggling to address this humanitarian crisis, background knowledge about the unfolding situation is needed. This report will provide: (1) a summary of the recent history of the Syrian crisis, starting in the 1970s; (2) an orientation to the Syrian refugee flows; and (3) an outline of the Canadian and international refugee resettlement efforts.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vappu Tyyskä ◽  
Jenna Blower ◽  
Samantha DeBoer ◽  
Shunya Kawai ◽  
Ashley Walcott

Introduction: Following decades of internal religious, political, and economic turmoil and international actions, a civil war broke out in Syria in 2011, sending unprecedented numbers of refugees to the surrounding countries, to Europe, and gradually to North America. While the international and Canadian communities are struggling to address this humanitarian crisis, background knowledge about the unfolding situation is needed. This report will provide: (1) a summary of the recent history of the Syrian crisis, starting in the 1970s; (2) an orientation to the Syrian refugee flows; and (3) an outline of the Canadian and international refugee resettlement efforts.


Author(s):  
Mounir Nasri

This paper argues that positive online media coverage of Syrian refugees arriving in Canada, and the welcoming culture of Canadian society, have both influenced positive settlement and integration outcomes for Syrian refugees. It also provides a better understanding of Canada’s response to the Syrian refugee crisis and shows how the process of resettlement becomes stronger when local community members and citizens are involved. These arguments are demonstrated firstly by analyzing the relationship between welcoming cultures, positive media coverage, and the perception of refugees. Secondly, the role of media coverage in influencing welcoming cultures in Canada, as well as its role in encouraging community members and ordinary citizens to be involved in national humanitarian projects, is described. Finally, information related to Canada’s welcoming culture and positive media coverage are discussed relative to settlement outcomes, which portrays the strong influence of storytelling and inclusive communities on the success of new immigrants as they rebuild their lives in a new country. The various refugee resettlement programs in Canada are also outlined. The Canadian response to the Syrian refugee crisis has demonstrated to the world a different approach to civic engagement and humanitarian work. This national humanitarian response may be perceived as a major successful project. Nevertheless, it also leaves us with many unanswered questions around the topic, and most importantly, questions about the relationship between politics and power, citizenship, culture, online media and public opinions. 


Author(s):  
Laurence Cros

Between 2015 and 2017, Canada welcomed 49, 810 Syrian refugees, thus meeting the electoral promise made by Liberal candidate Justin Trudeau in the wake of the emotional shock provoked by the photo of drowned toddler Alan Kurdi. Media the world over presented the Canadian initiative as an example that should guide and inspire other countries. This chapter examines Canada’s Syrian refugee resettlement plan to determine whether or not it can serve as an effective blueprint to improve global refugee crises. It combined a rigorous screening process, private sponsoring to build support and defray state costs, and citizen participation on immigration processes.


Author(s):  
Nadia Khouri Accad

This article takes a look at our responses to the Syrian refugee crisis in Lebanon from the “micro” – or grassroots – level. Specifically, it examines how our attitudes and approaches, as responders, affect the lived experience of others during this extraordinarily sensitive time of displacement. Three areas of reflection are discussed: the reductionist approach to identity, the pathologizing of those who go through suffering, and finally the exploration of a biblical understanding of integration, by looking at the parable of the workers in the vineyard ((Mt 20:1-16). In such a dynamic, restorative, and Christ-like community, both those “workers” who arrived early and those who arrived late are equally valued.


Author(s):  
Abdul Samad Kadavan

This paper explores the fictional representation of the Syrian refugee crisis in Khaled Hosseini's novel Sea Prayer (2018). The novel is considered a refugee narrative, examining the question of home, displacement, and the fateful journeys of the Syrian refugees. The novel depicts the heart-wrenching experiences of the refugee community in war-torn Syrian city Homs before and after the outbreak of the civil war in the country. Evoking the tragic death of Alan Kurdi, Hosseini vividly illustrates the various dimensions of the Syrian refugee crisis, including the outbreak of the civil war in Syria and the eventual birth of refugees, their homelessness/statelessness, perilous journey to escape the persecution, xenophobic attitudes towards them, and post-war trauma. This paper draws on postcolonial refugee narratives, concept of journeys of non-arrival, memory, and trauma studies to elucidate its argument. The contention here is that the current crisis in Syria is also accounted for by analyzing the fictional refugee narratives. The unspeakable trauma is communicated through fiction, and Hosseini’s novel depicts the dangers engulfed and the hope entrusted in the refugees’ journeys.


2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 532-546 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela V. Dimitrova ◽  
Emel Ozdora-Aksak ◽  
Colleen Connolly-Ahern

Since the Syrian refugee crisis represents the worst humanitarian crisis in modern history, it is critical to examine how global media covered this issue. Focusing on two nations significantly affected by the refugee crisis—Bulgaria and Turkey, this study employs a content analysis to examine differences in refugee portrayals in national media. The results show that Turkish media coverage was more personalized and more likely to emphasize the victim frame. In contrast, Bulgarian coverage was less personalized and more likely to emphasize the administrative frame. The findings are placed within national context and their implications for media framing of refugees are discussed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 84
Author(s):  
Mazen A. S. Alougili

The protracted conflict in Syria and the deterioration in the security situation inside has brought about an unprecedented refugee crisis over the past six years, where it is estimated that over 5 million Syrian refugees have fled to neighboring countries by 2017. As one of the neighboring host communities for refugees, Jordan has entailed significant costs at the economic, social, political, and security levels. This study aims at assessing the impact of Syrian refugees on Jordan’s security, as well as the potential threats and challenges generated by the escalation of the Syrian crisis on the kingdom. Forced immigrant implications for host communities are diverse. Therefore, it should be taken into consideration the host communities’ economic, social, political, and infrastructure status when addressing those implications. The Syrian refugee crisis has placed financial, social, and institutional strains on Jordan as a host community. It is in the light of this that Syrian refugees might be considered as a threat to the socio-economic, political stability of the kingdom and most importantly internal and national security.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 84
Author(s):  
Mazen A. S. Alougili

The protracted conflict in Syria and the deterioration in the security situation inside has brought about an unprecedented refugee crisis over the past six years, where it is estimated that over 5 million Syrian refugees have fled to neighboring countries by 2017. As one of the neighboring host communities for refugees, Jordan has entailed significant costs at the economic, social, political, and security levels. This study aims at assessing the impact of Syrian refugees on Jordan’s security, as well as the potential threats and challenges generated by the escalation of the Syrian crisis on the kingdom. Forced immigrant implications for host communities are diverse. Therefore, it should be taken into consideration the host communities’ economic, social, political, and infrastructure status when addressing those implications. The Syrian refugee crisis has placed financial, social, and institutional strains on Jordan as a host community. It is in the light of this that Syrian refugees might be considered as a threat to the socio-economic, political stability of the kingdom and most importantly internal and national security.


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