Advantages of Syrian Diaspora Aid to Refugees in Middle Eastern States of the Global South

Abstract

Based on interviews with leaders of diaspora organizations providing aid to forced migrants now residing in Lebanon, Turkey, as well as those internally displaced inside Syria, this article addresses several unique advantages that Syrian diaspora nonprofit organizations offer in their efforts to aid such migrants in various Middle Eastern host states of the Global South. Among these are a strong motivation based on deep personal ties that cause diaspora members to be more resilient and less risk averse when working in difficult contexts in host states in the Global South; a certain cultural competence and familiarity that make diaspora members adept at navigating complex legal and operational environments, particularly when diaspora members have experience living and working in the Global South; and an ability to make use of informal accountability mechanisms derived from their social network ties, which assist in identifying trustworthy partners and effective processes for providing aid. The article adds to research on diaspora philanthropy by empirically confirming its benefits in the extant literature and proposing future research comparing efforts of diaspora members based in the Global South and those in the Global North. It also contributes to the literature on third sector organizations and migration by examining Middle Eastern host states in the Global South at a time when the vast majority focuses on very few high-income host countries of the Global North (Garkisch et. Al, 2017).

Keywords: diaspora philanthropy; Syria; refugees; diaspora nonprofit organizations