No signs of Yemeni refugee influx ‘so far’ — UNHCR

AMMAN — There has been no change in registration of Yemeni asylum seekers with UNHCR Jordan over the past week after the Saudi Arabia-led coalition started its attacks against the Houthis.

Andrew Harper, UNHCR representative to Jordan, said on Wednesday: “Only 51 asylum seekers [registered] in March which is consistent with recent trends.” 

However, he told The Jordan Times that often it takes weeks before movements take place and before asylum seekers approach UNHCR.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior announced that it will implement security and regulatory measures towards entrance of Yemenis to Jordan, according to the ministry’s spokesperson Ziyad Zu’bi.

A government source also noted that although Jordan does not share borders with Yemen, some Yemenis who live outside of their country might think of moving to Amman.

In addition, there are hundreds of Yemeni citizens who came to Jordan prior to the crisis, either to study or for medical treatment.

There are around 35,000 people from Yemen living in Jordan, according to official figures, which estimate that over 3.4 million people from Arab countries reside in the Kingdom.

Last Wednesday, an Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia started its operations against Houthis in Yemen.

The coalition, of which Jordan is a member, came as a response to a call made by the legitimate president of Yemen, Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Nasser Judeh said last Thursday.