The humanitarian positionality of refugees in a complex MENA region

The escalating displacement crises across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region present significant challenges to humanitarian actors. As part of the Global South, a term used to refer lower- and middle-income countries comprising two-thirds of the world’s population, the MENA region hosts millions of refugees, making it one of the most prominent areas both for producing and hosting refugees. According to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Türkiye alone host the majority of the 6.2 million Syrian refugees, giving a glimpse of the refugee crisis in the region. In addition to the Syrian refugee crisis, other forgotten humanitarian crises – such as those in Sudan and Yemen – continue to create new waves of displacement, further straining the region’s limited resources. Yet, refugees in MENA are not mere burdens and passive recipients of aid. On the contrary, they have demonstrated their capacity to actively contribute to humanitarian efforts. These refugees, when given the chance, have shown an unparalleled ability to lead humanitarian responses and provide essential aid, thus positioning themselves as vital actors in addressing the region’s refugee crises.

The importance of refugees’ humanitarian positionality in MENA

The humanitarian positionality of refugees in the MENA region is paramount. ‘Refugeeness’ – the state of being forcibly displaced due to security and safety concerns – has for decades been a common phenomenon in MENA. Most countries in the region have rarely witnessed stability due to armed conflicts, natural disasters and other crises. As a result, the lived experiences of refugees and those from refugee backgrounds give them a unique capacity to shift their role in humanitarian efforts, positioning them as strategic partners and essential stakeholders. Despite its negative connotation, MENA’s history in refugeeness should be embraced as a strength rather than a justification to normalise and instil the issue of displacement in the region. The lived experiences of refugees provide valuable insights into the needs of refugee communities and the systemic flaws in current humanitarian models. Refugees are often better equipped to lead humanitarian efforts, not only because of the trust they enjoy within their communities but also due to their deep understanding of the cultural and societal sensitivities that are critical to effective humanitarian action.

Refugees as humanitarian actors

Political instability, which has led to weak or failed states in much of the region, and the diminishing importance given to refugee-related issues by host countries, mean that refugees must take the lead in their own survival. This shift is crucial, placing refugees in a very strong position and making them the primary actors to cooperate with other actors in addressing issues related to refugees. Additionally, refugees’ involvement in these activities is likely to be more transparent and ‘humanitarian’, thus mitigating issues like corruption and politicisation in aid efforts in the region. Building on this, refugees often feel a moral obligation not only to assist fellow refugees but also to help other refugee communities. Although refugees in MENA may not have formal education in humanitarian action, their efforts often align with fundamental humanitarian principles, such as humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence, demonstrating an understanding of key humanitarian values.

Refugees in MENA have long taken on humanitarian roles, often filling gaps left by overwhelmed or absent traditional actors. An illustrative case is that of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, who mobilised to provide housing, social support, and material aid – such as clothing and blankets – to Syrian refugees upon their arrival in Lebanon. Despite sectarian divisions and limited resources, they used formal and informal resources, including mosques and local networks, to offer assistance, disregarding political, religious or gender differences. A similar case was seen in Egypt, where a group of 14 Sudanese refugee- and migrant-led organisations established a platform to coordinate aid for thousands of displaced Sudanese families who escaped the recent atrocities in Sudan. ‘Refugees have always been an integral part of the answer’, stated Amal Rahal, a Sudanese refugee who later actively engaged in and led humanitarian activities in Egypt. These examples, in addition to a few others in the region, underscore refugees’ unique position as frontliners in bridging cultural gaps, mobilising resources, and responding effectively to refugee crises in MENA.

Challenging the traditional humanitarian model

The concentration and unfair distribution of refugees in MENA have placed immense burden on the humanitarians in this region. The gap between expectations and the realities of humanitarian efforts has highlighted the need to move away from the classical model of humanitarian action, that is centred on traditional actors providing aid to affected populations. For a more effective, culturally appropriate and tailored response to refugee crises in MENA, the positionality of refugees themselves in humanitarian activities is critical yet often neglected. For instance, key refugee-hosting countries in the region – Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Türkiye, Jordan and Egypt – currently host millions of refugees from different countries, such as Palestine, Afghanistan, Sudan and Syria. The Gulf countries, on the other hand, serve as key donors and provide funds to address these crises. These endeavours are in line with the traditional humanitarian school, also referred to as classical humanitarianism, where refugees are often seen as passive victims, with the potential to manipulate the system for more aid. This perception fosters a dynamic of mistrust and reinforces a superior–inferior relationship between aid providers and recipients. Placing refugees in a ‘humanitarian box’, without giving them the opportunity to actively contribute to humanitarian efforts, is detrimental in the long run. It complicates the implementation of aid programmes, creates a toxic dependency on assistance, and increases the likelihood of conflicts between refugees and humanitarian actors. Additionally, it undermines the self-esteem of refugees, perpetuating negative self-perceptions.

Due to the rigid, top-down approaches, limited funding, the prioritisation of aid based on donor agendas, and a degradation of cultural norms and values, humanitarian actors in the region fail to effectively respond to refugee crises. In a context like MENA, where these norms and values are essential to shaping societies, addressing refugee crises requires systematic, culturally sensitive and refugee-centred strategies that are also resource-efficient. The main issue – ineffective humanitarian response to refugee crises in MENA – has deep roots that must be addressed first. Therefore, refugees should be seen as the basis of humanitarian response to refugee crises in the region, by clearly defining their roles and duties in humanitarian efforts, rather than victims and dependent ‘needy people’. Yet, the process of responsibility sharing and distribution among refugees must be carefully planned and balanced to prevent any community-level fatigue from participation in humanitarian response.

Redefining the humanitarian positionality of refugees in the MENA region

Almost every MENA country has been affected by the refugee crises in the region, yet the impacts may vary based on each country’s role in hosting refugees, the duration of their stay, and the strategies employed by governments to contribute to regional humanitarian responses. In such a complex and polarised context, local, regional and international humanitarian actors must acknowledge the centrality of this issue and enhance cooperation with refugees in humanitarian efforts. The growing number of crises, combined with shrinking donor attention and resources, underscores the significance of refugees’ humanitarian roles. The demonstrated capabilities, cultural understanding and commitment to helping their communities offer an opportunity to transform the humanitarian landscape in MENA. Therefore, there is an urgent need to not only recognise the critical role refugees play in humanitarian efforts but also to actively support them in these roles. By doing so, the humanitarian landscape in the MENA region can evolve into one that is more inclusive, sustainable and responsive to the needs and strengths of displaced populations.

Manoug Antaby is Research Assistant at the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies. He can be contacted at manouganta@hotmail.com.