Judeh: Syrian refugee crisis imposes tough humanitarian pressures on neighbours
19-01-2013 12:00 AM
Ammon News - RIYADH (Petra) Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh said on Saturday that the Syrian refugee crisis imposes huge humanitarian pressures on host countries, adding that Jordan is currently providing aid to more than 300,000 refugees.
"Jordan shared whatever little it had with the Syrian brothers despite its tough economic conditions, particularly in (the sectors of) energy, water, education and health, but, upon directives by His Majesty King Abdullah II, it carries on with that endeavour to alleviate their plight," He told a closed meeting in Riyadh of Arab foreign and economy ministers ahead of an Arab summit on Monday.
Judeh predicted that Jordan will see more influxes of Syrian refugees as violence escalates in its northern neighbour, telling the meeting that Jordan had spent hundreds of millions of dollars in expenses to cover refugees needs.
He said organisations, agencies and other stakeholders in the issue of refugees had prepared a report during a recent meeting in Amman on the displaced people's conditions and needs and sent copies to Arab diplomatic missions.
The minister thanked Arab countries for their financial aid to the refugees, including $10 million by Saudi Arabia, calling for more contributions to ease their suffering during the harsh winter in view of warnings that the conflict would trigger new waves of refugees.
He thanked Saudi Arabia for hosting the summit, adding that Jordan backed efforts to put into force joint Arab free trade agreements, ensure free movement of businessmen and an attractive economic climate in each Arab country "to fulfill the dream of a common Arab market." Judeh added that Jordan, in cooperation with some Arab countries, had conducted studies on mega Arab projects, namely electricity grid and rail linkages among Arab countries, expressing hope the proposed ventures would be seriously taken for their economic feasibility.