Iraqi Refugees' Informal Information Systems in Syria and Jordan

AbstractIraqi refugees' decisions about their repatriation strongly depend upon the information available on the security situation and socio-economic conditions in their home areas. The prevailing distrust of institutions has led Iraqi refugees in Syria and Jordan to rely on their own means to acquire information on challenges and opportunities for repatriation. Iraqi refugees' informal information systems are based on the use of modern information and communication technologies (ICTs) and on their transnational mobility and social networks. Institutional actors have acknowledged the importance of refugees' transnational livelihoods and information mechanisms but have yet to incorporate these spontaneous strategies into official repatriation programmes, which could maximize the participation of returnees and members of the receiving communities as key information agents.