Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - A recent Human Rights Watch (HRW) report erroneously states that there is a discrepancy in the accounting of donor funds –including from the United States - for education.

Let there be no doubt, there is no discrepancy in funding. The perceived difference comes from the HRW researcher conflating systems that track different funding goals. The U.S. has exceeded all commitments made at the February 2016 London Conference. The United States affirms a similar statement on this subject by the Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Emad Fakhoury from September 25.

Further Background:

The United States is firmly committed to Jordan’s security and economic stability and continues to be the largest single donor to the overall Syria response. Humanitarian assistance has totaled nearly $7.4 billion since the start of the Syria crisis, including assistance to those suffering inside Syria, as well as in the region.

In development assistance, the United States pledged $290 million in education funding to Lebanon and Jordan to support public education for Syrian children, as well as vulnerable Jordanian and Lebanese children. Of the $290 million in development assistance, the United States fulfilled its London Conference commitment by providing $267 million for education to Jordan. The remainder went to Lebanon and regional programming for both countries.

To meet the challenge of rapid population growth as a result of the influx of refugees, USAID, in partnership with the Government of Jordan, is renovating, expanding, and building 259 schools to relieve overcrowding and accommodate both Jordanian and refugee children. We are supporting remedial reading and math programs to help students stay in school, and training teachers to address the psychosocial needs of students.

The United States remains committed to furthering our strong partnership with the Government of Jordan to improve the lives of millions in Jordan, Syrian and Jordanian alike.