“Nationality-Based Projects, not Vulnerability Approaches:” The Exclusivity of Psychosocial and Mental Health Programs for Refugees in Jordan

Since 1948, Jordan has attracted millions of refugees fleeing past and current conflicts in Palestine, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Somalia, and Yemen. Many of these refugees develop psychological issues due to exposure to distinct conflicts in their home countries and their negative experiences as refugees and asylum seekers in Jordan. This thesis explores the different mental health and psychosocial services (MHPSS) that aid organizations in Jordan offer to refugees with the understanding that refugees of different nationalities may require different interventions based on their unique experiences. I discovered that the MHPSS programs in Jordan do not adequately meet the needs of every nationality of refugees, especially those who are not recognized as “refugees,” partly due to funding patterns and the UNHCR’s policies. Obsolete definitions and conventions such as the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol define “refugees” in a certain way and exclude many displaced individuals who are fleeing intense, violent conflicts. Because the UNHCR uses this definition in their adjudication process and their funding decisions, the organization essentially dictates which individuals deserve humanitarian assistance. I argue that the international community must alter the definition of “refugee” to include factors such as gender-based violence or terrorism so that most vulnerable displaced individuals can access necessary services.