AMMAN — US Under Secretary of State
for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights
Uzra Zeya expressed her
country's deep appreciation for its partnership with Jordan and the Kingdom’s
hospitality and support for refugees, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.
اضافة اعلان
In a joint statement with the
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Representative to Jordan Dominik
Bartsch, Zeya said the US “stands with Jordan as an ally and friend” to help
meet the needs of refugees and host communities.
"I've witnessed Jordan's commitment to
ensuring the safety of all refugees, and its belief that the return of refugees
takes place in a safe, voluntary manner and in a manner that preserves their
dignity," Zeya said.
The US partnership in supporting
refugees"The United States is proud to be the
leading international donor to humanitarian programs in Jordan, providing more
than $2.4 billion to support refugees and host communities since 2012,
including more than $257 million in humanitarian assistance last year,"
she added.
“We look forward to continuing to partner with UNHCR Jordan, the Jordanian government, and the Jordanian people to support the refugees who are welcomed here."
The under secretary said that work will
continue with partners such as the UNHCR,
UNICEF, the United Nations Population
Fund,
UNRWA, and NGOs to provide cash assistance, food vouchers, and other
services to refugees in Jordan, in addition to creating training opportunities
for skills development and small business management.
"This support comes in addition to
more than $1.65 billion in assistance provided last year as part of the
memorandum of understanding between the United States and Jordan to improve
critical sectors including water, education, and the healthcare system. We also
provide security assistance to support our partnership to enhance regional
stability," Zeya explained.
"The United States is also doing its
part to increase refugee resettlement in the United States. President Biden has
increased the number of refugees admitted to the United States to 125,000 this
year,
working with UNHCR, the Jordanian government, and other partners to
resettle the most vulnerable cases," she noted.
Describing Jordan's assistance to the
Syrian people as "exceptional”, she said: “We look forward to continuing to
partner with
UNHCR Jordan, the Jordanian government, and the Jordanian people
to support the refugees who are welcomed here."
Jordan’s model decisions on refugeesFor his part, Bartsch said that the US is
the largest donor to UNHCR in Jordan and around the world. It also provides the
largest number of resettlement opportunities for refugees, with more than 3,000
refugee departures recorded last year.
"Since the beginning of the crisis,
Jordan has allowed
Syrian refugees to access health care, education, and the
labor market. These critical political decisions facilitated the inclusion of
refugees in national systems, and these decisions remain a model to be followed
around the world," Bartsch added.
As a result of the Kingdom’s generous approach, many of the approximately 660,000 Syrian refugees registered with UNHCR in Jordan have been able to rebuild their lives and support their families
He noted that Jordan was the first country
to include refugees in its coronavirus vaccination campaign, which is another
example of its firm commitment to doing the right thing for people in need of
protection.
As a result of the Kingdom’s generous
approach, many of the approximately 660,000 Syrian refugees registered
with UNHCR in Jordan have been able to rebuild their lives and support their
families, he said.
Donor support for valuable assistanceBartsch expressed concern that the decline
in donor support in light of economic challenges may lead to an increase in
humanitarian needs, as vulnerability assessments conducted by
UNHCR show that many refugee families fall below the poverty line, and this is where cash
assistance remains a key lifeline to meet basic needs and enable refugees to
live in dignity.
Nearly a quarter of a million refugees
currently receive valuable assistance, the official said, while the
UNHCR Supports nearly 740,000 refugees of all nationalities in cooperation with major
organizations, including the World Food Program, UNICEF, and many other UN
agencies as well as NGOs, the private sector, civil society, and development
partners.
“Twelve years into the Syrian crisis, the international community must continue supporting Jordan, which has been a reliable, committed and generous host.”
"We are preparing for the Global
Refugee Forum in December, with Jordan assuming a prominent role as a
co-convener for this event. This event will be an important platform to renew
the international community's support for key host countries like Jordan, and
to show international solidarity in action," Bartsch announced.
"Twelve years into the Syrian crisis,
the international community must continue supporting Jordan, which has been a
reliable, committed and generous host to people who have been forced to flee
their countries."
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