On 4 February 2016, the Governments of the United Kingdom, Germany, Kuwait, Norway and the United Nations (UN) hosted an international conference in support of Syria and the broader region, in London.

The summit aimed to raise more resources and assistance to meet the immediate and longer-term needs of those affected by the Syrian crisis.  Donors pledged US$12 billion in new financing until 2020 plus US$40 million in new loans.  The World Bank negotiated significant concessional financing agreements with Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey known as ‘compacts’ with the objective to improve access to work and economic opporunities for Syrian refugees.

One year on, donors, civil society organisations and the media evaluate the progress of these compacts.  They highlight opportunities to seize and barriers that are yet to be overcome to create access to equal, fair and decent employment for Syrian refugees and host communities in the region.

(photo credit Al Fanar Media)