Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour on Tuesday discussed with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Antonio Guterres, the humanitarian repercussions of the Syrian crisis on Jordan.
During the meeting, attended by interior minister Hussein Majali and minister of planning and international cooperation Ibrahim Saif, Ensour said Jordan is bearing a huge burden by hosting about 1.4 million Syrians, and urged the international community to assume its responsibility to support the Kingdom to carry out that role.
He said the influx of refugees had put additional strain on the water and energy sectors, particularly when the Kingdom's resources are limited, in addition to pressures on the health and education services.
The UNHCR chief said he appreciated Jordan's role in accepting the displaced Syrians and providing services to them, stressing the need for international aid to the Kingdom which is a key pillar of the region's security and stability.
He said the UN refugee agency is keen on maintaining cooperation with Jordan and supporting its efforts and "extraordinary" humanitarian role. Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh also discussed with the UNHCR head the impact of the Syrian crisis on neighbouring countries, namely the influx of Syrian refugees, and called for international aid to the Kingdom to carry out its humanitarian role towards the refugees.
The discussion also focused on a UNHCR report released today which said more than 145,000 Syrian refugee families in Egypt, Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan, or one in four of all households, are headed by women facing a lone fight for survival.
*Petra