Social Accountability in Diaspora Organizations Aiding Syrian Migrants

Abstract

This article presents data from a study of Syrian diaspora organizations providing assistance to conflict-affected Syrians in Europe, the Middle East, and North America. Using interview data from leaders in four Syrian diaspora non-profit organizations, this article examines the social mechanisms used to ensure accountability within the challenging environments where the organizations operate. We find that Syrian diaspora organizations benefit from informal social accountability mechanisms that derive from individuals' social network ties. Personal, social forms of accountability are particularly valuable to these organizations because these mechanisms help circumvent uncertainty and challenges in the operational environment. These findings reflect an important theme in the extant literature on diaspora philanthropy: diaspora members may have an advantage over other actors because of dense personal networks that make them adept at identifying dependable partners and enforcing agreements even in places where banking and legal systems are fragile.

Localisation in the balance: Syrian medical‐humanitarian NGOs' strategic engagement with the local and international

“…The Syrian diaspora in general has served as an important source of funding (Els, Mansour, and Carstensen, 2016, p. 9). Its more flexible funding differentiates DNGOs from non‐diaspora INGOs (Abdel‐Samad and Flanigan, 2018, p. 337; Duclos et al, 2019, p. 5), allowing a focus on complex areas that are difficult for other actors to support, such as besieged areas. As is the case with Syrian organisations in general, DNGOs have displayed a greater willingness to prioritise need despite difficulty, attributed to the personal commitment staff and funders feel towards those areas (Abdel‐Samad and Flanigan, 2018, p. 331; Barbelet, 2018, p. 15).…”

Critical Applications of Heterogeneity Theories to Power in Nonprofit Human Services Organizations

“…Group identity and allegiance often motivate pro-social behavior (Simon, 1993) and it is not unusual for voluntary activity to be explicitly focused on within-group giving and activities that benefit others with a shared identity. Much research on nonprofit organizations and philanthropy more broadly shows that voluntary organizations pinpoint specific target populations based on group traits, such as shared religion (Anheier & Salamon, 1998; Ilchman et al, 1998; James, 1989; Smith et al, 1999), race (Joseph, 1995; Smith et al, 1999), ethnic or tribal identity (Smith et al, 1999), kinship ties (Abdel-Samad & Flanigan, 2019; Flanigan, 2018; Smith et al, 1999), or national origin (Orozco & Lapointe, 2004; Smith et al, 1999).…”

“…Mutual aid and philanthropy have been critically important to African American communities (see, for example, Dubois, 1909; Fairfax, 1995), Latinx communities (see, for example, Cortés, 1995, 1999), and immigrant communities (Cortés, 1995; Orozco & Lapointe, 2004). Diaspora philanthropy is an often-cited example of the benefits of within-group nonprofit activity (Abdel-Samad & Flanigan, 2019; Brinkerhoff, 2008, 2014; Flanigan, 2017, 2018; Flanigan & Abdel-Samad, 2016; Werbner, 2002). This article in no way intends to refute the beneficial and protective effects of these types of mutual support and service provision.…”

Migration Governance and Policy in the Global South: Introduction and Overview

“…In the final article in this special section, Abdel‐Samad and Flanigan () provide yet another angle to a Southern focused perspective on migration governance through consideration of Syrian diaspora organizations’ provision of assistance to conflict‐affected Syrians in Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey. Such organizations can play a significant role in providing assistance to migrants; in this sense, they help to meet needs unmet by governments and other actors, which may be especially pronounced in fragile situations with poor governance.…”

“…Such organizations can play a significant role in providing assistance to migrants; in this sense, they help to meet needs unmet by governments and other actors, which may be especially pronounced in fragile situations with poor governance. Abdel‐Samad and Flanigan () focuses, however, on another aspect of migration governance here – that of governance within these organizations themselves, in particular issues of accountability and the social mechanisms employed to support it in challenging environments.…”