Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - The total foreign assistance contracted in 2017 with various donors and international financial institutions reached about $ 2.99 billion, while the value of donations to support refugees, including humanitarian assistance, stood at $653.7 million, according to Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Imad Fakhoury .

Fakhoury said in a statement that the total amount of foreign aid for Jordan in 2017 amounted to 3.65 billion dollars, compared to $3.15 billion in 2016, an increase of about half a billion dollar.

The minister said that the increase in total aid comes in recognition of Jordan's pivotal role and comprehensive reforms led by His Majesty as well as to help Jordan shouldered the burden it bears due to the refugees issue.

He pointed out that foreign aid supports the budget, helps cover the funding gap, finances development projects according to national priorities, provides technical assistance, builds institutional capacity and strengthens foreign reserves.

Fakhoury stressed the importance of implementing the 2018-2022 plan for stimulating economic growth as well as the structural reforms based on the plan, being worked on with donors and international financial institutions according to the Jordan 2025, the 10-year blueprint for economic and social development. "The international community should shoulder its responsibilities for the burdens borne by Jordan as a result of hosting Syrian refugees," the minister said, adding that the government recently launched the Jordan Response Plan for the Syrian crisis 2018-2020.