Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - The total number of Syrian refugees registered with UNHCR in Jordan reached 585,656 individuals by January 12, according to a report issued by the UN agency on Monday.

The weekly report, which covers the January 5-12 period, also indicated that 1,678 Syrians entered the Kingdom in the period in question.

The report, a copy of which was sent to The Jordan Times, showed that between December 29 and January 12, 4,558 refugees were processed at Ribaa Al Sarhan in Mafraq by the authorities and the UNHCR — 86 per cent newly arrived refugees and 14 per cent so-called “re-entries”, individuals previously registered in Jordan whose former records are now verified and updated.

The joint registration centre at Ribaa Al Sarhan opened on December 29, 2013.

Since registration began at the site, Syrian identification documents are no longer collected from new arrivals. On December 30, 2013, Jordan began conducting iris scans of Syrian refugees and issuing service cards with enhanced security features to those passing through the centre, according to the UNHCR report.

More than 9,000 children and adolescents visited the 86 child and family protection places operated by UNICEF and its partners in the Zaatari Refugee Camp and in eight governorates throughout the country, the report said.

In addition, some 3,000 students visited UNICEF-supported playgrounds and multipurpose courts daily, while 70 Community Action Committee members from Madaba and Amman received protection and community service training, with a focus on sexual gender-based violence and child protection issues.

Meanwhile, a total of 1,473 shelters, 488 tents and 985 trailers were distributed in the Zaatari camp in Mafraq during the reported period.

Syrian refugee enrolment in camp and host community schools stands at 108,046 students.

The UNHCR Regional Response Plan 6 requirements, including for Jordan and neighbouring operations, amount to $1,345,405,017 for 2014, the report indicated. However, the current level of funding received is 13 per cent ($173,783,333) of the requirements.


* Jordan Times