German president tours Azraq Refugee Camp

AMMAN — German President Joachim Gauck and Germany's first lady, Daniela Schadt, on Tuesday visited the Azraq Refugee Camp, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Gauck was briefed by UNHCR Deputy Representative to Jordan Paul Stromberg on conditions in the camp and the services it offers, including education, water and electricity. 

Stromberg said the agency estimated spending for 2015 at around $24 million, $17 million of which was allocated to building an electricity grid in the camp, while the rest will go towards health services, relief and improving other services offered to Syrian refugees in the camp. 

The camp, which covers an area of 15 square kilometres some 100km east of Amman, currently hosts 28,000 refugees, Camp Security Director Col. Atef Omoush was quoted by Petra as saying. 

He said there are 8,029 housing units in the facility, a 130-bed hospital, two schools that can each accommodate 5,000 students using a shift system, children's playgrounds, a library and centres for psychosocial support. 

The camp's establishment cost $45 million, including paving streets, building housing units and infrastructure, and it is currently under the supervision of UNHCR.

The German president concluded his tour with a visit to a Syrian family, whose members told him about conditions in the camp and the services they receive.

Also on Tuesday, Gauck and Schadt concluded their official visit to the Kingdom, during which the German president met with His Majesty King Abdullah and discussed bilateral relations, and regional and international developments. 

Higher Education Minister Labib Khadra, Amman Mayor Aqel Biltaji and several officials and officers saw him off at Marka Military Airport.