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Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Many Syrian refugees living in Jordan are facing poverty-level living conditions according to a new report released by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

The UN's study titled Living in the Shadows reports that two-thirds of approximately 620,000 registered Syrian refugees are living below the poverty line, with one in six making do with less than $36.90 a month. Female-headed households are worse off, as one in five suffers from abject poverty.

The UN previously published a study in March last year where only 14 percent were reported below the poverty line. UNHCR now reports that there has been a "clear deterioration" for the conditions of Syrian refugees.

Schooling for children has now become a luxury, according to Newsweek, as children have become responsible for helping find food and paying bills.

"Unless the international community increases its support to refugees, families will opt for ever more drastic coping strategies," UN refugee chief Antonio Guterres said, according to BBC.

"More children will out of school to work and more women will be at risk of exploitation, including survival sex."

UNHCR spokesperson Brian Hansford believes that the lack of support and funding are the reason why Syrian refugees are facing their current struggles.

Jordan's government opened the country's doors to refugees fleeing from the Syrian civil war and the violence from Islamic State militants. Hansford explained that the international community needs to match the generosity of the Jordanian government.

UNHCR's representative in Jordan, Andrew Harper, added that "the ability of Syrian refugees in Jordan to manage their lives is becoming increasingly perilous.

"As the conflict drags on and the most vulnerable refugees seek deeper into despair," he said. "It is now the time for the international community to redouble its efforts to protect those in need. Without this support, refugees have limited options on how to survive."

*Christian Daily