Jordan’s resources ‘stretched to the limit’ over refugee crisis — Fakhoury

AMMAN — Jordan’s resources are stretched to the limit and cannot continue providing humanitarian assistance to Syrian refugees at the same pace without international assistance, according to Planning and International Cooperation Minister Imad Fakhoury. 

At a meeting last Thursday with British Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister for the Middle East Tobias Ellwood, Fakhoury highlighted the heavy toll brought on by the refugee crisis on the economy, stressing the need for the international community to provide direct support to the government.

Without international support, the Kingdom will not be able to sustain its assistance to refugees without risking regression in development gains after decades of hard work, the minister added.

He said the refugee crisis has had an impact on Jordan’s infrastructure, education, health, water and other sectors. 

The most affected host communities are in the northern and central regions, where unemployment and poverty rates increased as well as housing rent fees, the minister noted. 

But these challenges will not stop the government from moving ahead with its development and reform programmes, Fakhoury said.

He said the 2015 Jordan Response Plan to the crisis was prepared by Jordan and the international community with a budget of $2.9 billion to finance top priority projects for 11 sectors, including health, education, energy and water. 

The plan is currently funded by only 34.5 per cent, Fakhoury stressed, noting that two-thirds still need funding. 

If international support is not provided, the negative effects will not only include the Middle East but also extend to European countries and the whole world, according to the minister.

He said the support offered by the United Kingdom to the response plan stands at around $86 million, $41.3 million of which has been designated to serve projects for host communities whereas the rest were designated to support projects for refugees.

Ellwood commended Jordan’s role in receiving and assisting refugees, stressing the need for the international community to continue supporting the Kingdom.

Discussions also covered bilateral ties and Jordan’s reform process.