Jordan exceeds fair share in Syria relief by 12,720% — Oxfam

AMMAN — Jordan topped the world list of contributors to relief assistance to Syrians, exceeding its fair share with 12,720 per cent.

According to a study by Oxfam released Tuesday, “some states are more than delivering what would be considered their fair share for the humanitarian effort. Arab states, and in particular countries hosting Syrian refugees, are leading the way with Jordan [12,720 per cent], Lebanon [5,617 per cent], Kuwait [1,444 per cent], Saudi Arabia [324 per cent], and Iraq [450 per cent]”.

Turkey is exceeding its fair share by 930 per cent, while Denmark has so far met 379 per cent of its obligations, Norway (380 per cent) and the UK (298 per cent).

But nearly two-thirds of states, some of the richest countries in the world and members of the Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, are giving less than what is expected given the size of their economies, Oxfam noted.

The analysis shows that Russia is falling far short of expectations having committed just 5 per cent of what would be considered its fair share. Japan is also lagging behind, having committed just 31 per cent. South Korea has pledged just 5 per cent.

France (77 per cent) has also been a relatively generous donor but needs to do more to support the revised appeal. The United States (88 per cent), the largest donor to UN appeals, has shown significant leadership but can do more to give its fair share.

Addressing a government meeting Tuesday in Kuwait, Oxfam said in a statement that while a much needed and lasting political solution is being sought through the Geneva peace talks, donor states must also prioritise funding the UN’s appeals for $6.5b, to ensure that Syrians receive the immediate humanitarian assistance they desperately need.

“Governments pledging funds in Kuwait must also focus on measures that will improve the humanitarian situation and ensure conditions are created to give peace talks the best possible chance of succeeding,” the statement added.

Gareth Price Jones, who heads up Oxfam’s response inside Syria and is attending the conference in Kuwait, said: “The Kuwait conference comes at a critical moment; the conflict continues to rage and we can expect the humanitarian needs for Syrians to continue to grow this year, possibly beyond. Donor countries cannot rest on their laurels. There is still a long way to go.”

Oxfam’s research calculates the amount of aid that should be given according to a country’s Gross National Income (GNI) and its overall wealth. The organisation last calculated the fair share analysis in September 2013.