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16 Dec 2013
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Amman, 16 December 2013<br />
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In a press conference held at the Jordan Media Institute (JMI) premises, the United Nations launched a new plan to scale up response to all those affected by the Syrian crisis. The urgent need to maintain a protection space for Syrian refugees in Jordan, whilst relieving the pressure on Jordan’s services and resources was highlighted in a massive new appeal by the United Nations.</p>
<p>The Regional Response Plan 6 (RRP6) and the Syrian Humanitarian Assistance Response Plan (SHARP) were launched in Geneva, Switzerland, with a budget of USD 4.3 billion covering six affected countries, including Jordan. The Jordan component of the RRP6 totals over USD 1.2 billion with projects focusing on eight sectors, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Cash, Education, Food Security, Health, Non-Food Items, Protection and Shelter.</p>
<p>The plan and budget are based on a projection that up to 800,000 Syrian refuges will be living in Jordan by the end of 2014. This includes 25 percent inside refugee camps and 75 percent accommodated in cities, towns and villages across the country. In addition, more than two million Jordanians, affected by the presence of refugees, will receive assistance through improved public services and infrastructure as well as dedicated projects from the international community.</p>
<p>Dr. Mohammad Al-Momani, Minister of State for Media Affairs and Official Government Spokesman, said that the assistance received by the Jordanian government to cope with hosting Syrian refugees is not sufficient. “If more assistance is not provided, the cost difference and additional burden will fall on the State's budget” he added, affirming that Jordan is committed to international law and will continue to receive refugees from Syria.<br />
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Launching the appeal at the Jordan Media Institute, Andrew Harper, UNHCR Representative said, “This is a collaborative effort comprising many months of hard work in support of the Jordanian government. It is only because the government keeps the Jordanian border open that it allows us to assist and protect refugees. Jordan has been bearing the brunt and the international community must do all it can to mitigate the impact.”</p>
<p>Rozanne Chorlton, UNICEF Jordan Representative, noted that children make up more than half of all refugees. “This is why we now need to provide quality services that reach all vulnerable children living in Jordan at this critical time of their development”, she said.</p>
<p>Jonathan Campbell, Emergency Coordinator for the World Food Programme in Jordan, said, “As Syrians continue to seek refuge in Jordan with little means to meet their basic needs, we are here to provide the support they need.”<br />
The Jordan component of the RRP6 was developed under the leadership of the Government of Jordan and coordinated by UNHCR. The refugee response is a collaborative effort between UN agencies, the donor community, international and national NGOs, community-based organizations, refugees and Jordanian communities.</p>
<p>The United Nations in Jordan called on the donor community to continue its generosity in supporting Syrians affected by conflict and displacement, as well as all communities impacted by the crisis.</p>