Replication Data for: The Socio-Economic Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Syrian Refugees in Turkey

Building upon empirical research, this study examines the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 on Syrian refugees in Turkey by analysing its implications on employment, livelihood opportunities and social cohesion. More specifically, it focuses on the experiences of Syrian refugees to examine the ways in which refugees exert their agency to cope with the structural constraints when faced with ‘multiple crises’ in host countries, intersecting with the dynamics of a ‘normalised refugee crisis’. Our findings from fieldwork conducted in top six refugee-hosting cities reveal that loss of jobs, limited access to decent work, increased dependency on external financial assistance, and exposure to social exclusion have been some of the most acute effects of the pandemic on refugees. Meanwhile, the perceived effect the refugees have on the host community’s welfare trigger problems impeding social cohesion. All in all, the study intends to highlight the impact of the pandemic beyond its global health crisis dimension by addressing the structural vulnerability of refugees causing them to be excluded from social protection, which highlights the importance of providing an enabling environment for socio-economic self-reliance.