Abstract
This master thesis studies the shift in the response to the Syrian refugee crisis in Jordan, from a refugee response to a refugee and resilience response. This shift was initiated after the adoption of the resilience-based approach to the Syria crisis in the Jordan Response Plan 2015. As the meaning of resilience often changes depending on the context in which it is used, I analyse how resilience has been used and what effect it has had on the response to the Syrian refugee crisis. The main focus of the analysis is on the process leading up to and the initial stage of implementing the JRP 2015. To analyse this shift, I apply the theory of strategic action field as developed by Fligstein and McAdams (2012) to explain stability and change in the response. I argue that resilience has first and foremost been used at the policy level to mobilise support from a variety of actors for a new, comprehensive approach to the Syria refugee crisis. With the focus on national ownership in the resilience-based approach, the Government of Jordan has become increasingly visible in the response compared to their involvement during the refugee response. The vagueness of the concept, however, has opened up different interpretations of what resilience means, particularly whether resilience should include refugees. Resilience in the context of the Jordan response has been interpreted as resilience for vulnerable Jordanians and Jordanian host communities. I therefore argue that there is a gap between policy and implementation level, which have led to a sense of failed expectation among certain actors in the response. Moreover, the entrance of new actors into the response has engendered competition in the field which has fostered the duplication of coordination efforts. Although the process has had several shortcomings, I argue that the increased involvement of the Government of Jordan in the response has been positive as it has improved communication between the Government and the international community.