This paper focuses on the refugee impact within host countries – particularly Jordan and Lebanon, where Mercy Corps is implementing the majority of its refugee response programmes. With an eye toward informing discussions among donors, policy makers, and peer agencies, the paper briefly outlines the scope of the challenges facing an effective crisis response, and presents field-tested recommendations to improve coordination, and create efficiencies, sustainability, and prioritisation. It also proposes mechanisms for ensuring the needs of crisis-affected populations are better incorporated in the response and for better integrating relief and development efforts.